1
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Zhang Y, Escobar A, Guo T, Xu CQ. Label-Free Cyanobacteria Quantification Using a Microflow Cytometry Platform for Early Warning Detection and Characterization of Hazardous Cyanobacteria Blooms. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:mi14050965. [PMID: 37241590 DOI: 10.3390/mi14050965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems caused by rapid human urbanization has led to an increased production of potentially hazardous bacterial populations, known as blooms. One of the most notorious forms of these aquatic blooms are cyanobacteria, which in sufficiently large quantities can pose a hazard to human health through ingestion or prolonged exposure. Currently, one of the greatest difficulties in regulating and monitoring these potential hazards is the early detection of cyanobacterial blooms, in real time. Therefore, this paper presents an integrated microflow cytometry platform for label-free phycocyanin fluorescence detection, which can be used for the rapid quantification of low-level cyanobacteria and provide early warning alerts for potential harmful cyanobacterial blooms. An automated cyanobacterial concentration and recovery system (ACCRS) was developed and optimized to reduce the assay volume, from 1000 mL to 1 mL, to act as a pre-concentrator and subsequently enhance the detection limit. The microflow cytometry platform utilizes an on-chip laser-facilitated detection to measure the in vivo fluorescence emitted from each individual cyanobacterial cell, as opposed to measuring overall fluorescence of the whole sample, potentially decreasing the detection limit. By applying transit time and amplitude thresholds, the proposed cyanobacteria detection method was verified by the traditional cell counting technique using a hemocytometer with an R2 value of 0.993. It was shown that the limit of quantification of this microflow cytometry platform can be as low as 5 cells/mL for Microcystis aeruginosa, 400-fold lower than the Alert Level 1 (2000 cells/mL) set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Furthermore, the decreased detection limit may facilitate the future characterization of cyanobacterial bloom formation to better provide authorities with ample time to take the appropriate actions to mitigate human risk from these potentially hazardous blooms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushan Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Andres Escobar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Tianyi Guo
- Forsee Instruments Ltd., Hamilton, ON L8P 0A1, Canada
| | - Chang-Qing Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
- Department of Engineering Physics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
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2
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Ebrahimifard R, Erfle P, Dietzel A, Garnweitner G. Backscattering-Based Discrimination of Microparticles Using an Optofluidic Multiangle Scattering Chip. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:17519-17527. [PMID: 35664585 PMCID: PMC9161266 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c06343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In this research, we designed and fabricated an optofluidic chip for the detection and differentiation of single particles via the combination of backscattered (BSC) and forward-scattered (FSC) or side-scattered (SSC) light intensity. The high sensitivity of BSC light to the refractive index of the particles enabled an effective approach for the differentiation of individual particles based on the type of material. By recording BSC as well as FSC and SSC light intensities from single particles, transiting through the illumination zone in a microfluidic channel, the size and type of material could be detected simultaneously. The analysis of model samples of polystyrene (PS), as a primary microplastic particle, and silica microspheres showed substantially higher BSC signal values of PS because of a larger refractive index compared to the silica. The scatter plots correlating contributions of BSC (FSC-BSC and SSC-BSC) allowed a clear differentiation of PS and silica particles. To demonstrate the great potential of this methodology, two "real-life" samples containing different types of particles were tested as application examples. Commercial toothpaste and peeling gel products, as primary sources of microplastics into effluents, were analyzed via the optofluidic chip and compared to results from scanning electron microscopy. The scattering analysis of the complex samples enabled the detection and simultaneous differentiation of particles such as microplastics according to their differences in the refractive index via distinctive areas of high and low BSC signal values. Hence, the contribution of BSC light measurements in multiangle scattering of single particles realized in an optofluidic chip opens the way for the discrimination of single particles in a liquid medium in manifold fields of application ranging from environmental monitoring to cosmetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Ebrahimifard
- Institute
for Particle Technology, Technische Universität
Braunschweig, 38104 Braunschweig, Germany
- Laboratory
for Emerging Nanometrology, Technische Universität
Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Peer Erfle
- Institute
of Microtechnology, Technische Universität
Braunschweig, 38092 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Andreas Dietzel
- Institute
of Microtechnology, Technische Universität
Braunschweig, 38092 Braunschweig, Germany
- Laboratory
for Emerging Nanometrology, Technische Universität
Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Georg Garnweitner
- Institute
for Particle Technology, Technische Universität
Braunschweig, 38104 Braunschweig, Germany
- Laboratory
for Emerging Nanometrology, Technische Universität
Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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3
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Hengoju S, Shvydkiv O, Tovar M, Roth M, Rosenbaum MA. Advantages of optical fibers for facile and enhanced detection in droplet microfluidics. Biosens Bioelectron 2022; 200:113910. [PMID: 34974260 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2021.113910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Droplet microfluidics offers a unique opportunity for ultrahigh-throughput experimentation with minimal sample consumption and thus has obtained increasing attention, particularly for biological applications. Detection and measurements of analytes or biomarkers in tiny droplets are essential for proper analysis of biological and chemical assays like single-cell studies, cytometry, nucleic acid detection, protein quantification, environmental monitoring, drug discovery, and point-of-care diagnostics. Current detection setups widely use microscopes as a central device and other free-space optical components. However, microscopic setups are bulky, complicated, not flexible, and expensive. Furthermore, they require precise optical alignments, specialized optical and technical knowledge, and cumbersome maintenance. The establishment of efficient, simple, and cheap detection methods is one of the bottlenecks for adopting microfluidic strategies for diverse bioanalytical applications and widespread laboratory use. Together with great advances in optofluidic components, the integration of optical fibers as a light guiding medium into microfluidic chips has recently revolutionized analytical possibilities. Optical fibers embedded in a microfluidic platform provide a simpler, more flexible, lower-cost, and sensitive setup for the detection of several parameters from biological and chemical samples and enable widespread, hands-on application much beyond thriving point-of-care developments. In this review, we examine recent developments in droplet microfluidic systems using optical fiber as a light guiding medium, primarily focusing on different optical detection methods such as fluorescence, absorbance, light scattering, and Raman scattering and the potential applications in biochemistry and biotechnology that are and will be arising from this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sundar Hengoju
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, 07745, Jena, Germany; Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Oksana Shvydkiv
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Miguel Tovar
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Roth
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Miriam A Rosenbaum
- Bio Pilot Plant, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute, 07745, Jena, Germany; Faculty of Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, 07743, Jena, Germany.
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4
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Lv N, Zhang L, Jiang L, Muhammad A, Wang H, Yuan L. A Design of Microfluidic Chip with Quasi-Bessel Beam Waveguide for Scattering Detection of Label-Free Cancer Cells. Cytometry A 2019; 97:78-90. [PMID: 31876079 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.23954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Light scattering detection in microfluidic chips provides an important tool to identify cancer cells without any label processes. However, forward small-angle scattering signals of cells, which are related to their sizes and morphologies, are hard to be detected accurately when scattering angle is less than 11° in microfluidic chips by traditional lighting design due to the influence of incident beam. Therefore, cell's size and morphology being the golden standard for clinical detection may lose their efficacy in recognizing cancer cells from healthy ones. In this article, a novel lighting design in microfluidic chips is put forward in which traditional incident Gaussian beam can be modulated into quasi-Bessel beam by a microprism and waveguide. The quasi-Bessel beam's advantages of nondiffraction theoretically make forward scattering (FS) detection less than 11° possibly. Our experimental results for peripheral blood lymphocytes of human beings and cultured HeLa cells show that the detection rates increase by 47.87% and 46.79%, respectively, by the novel designed microfluidic chip compared to traditional Gaussian lighting method in microfluidic chips. © 2019 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Lv
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xian Jiaotong University, Xian, Shannxi, 710049, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xian Jiaotong University, Xian, Shannxi, 710049, China
| | - Lili Jiang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xian Jiaotong University, Xian, Shannxi, 710049, China
| | - Amir Muhammad
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xian Jiaotong University, Xian, Shannxi, 710049, China
| | - Huijun Wang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Xian Jiaotong University, Xian, Shannxi, 710049, China
| | - Li Yuan
- First Affiliated Hospital, Xian Jiaotong University, Xian, Shannxi, 710049, China
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5
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Shrirao AB, Fritz Z, Novik EM, Yarmush GM, Schloss RS, Zahn JD, Yarmush ML. Microfluidic flow cytometry: The role of microfabrication methodologies, performance and functional specification. TECHNOLOGY 2018; 6:1-23. [PMID: 29682599 PMCID: PMC5907470 DOI: 10.1142/s2339547818300019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Flow cytometry is an invaluable tool utilized in modern biomedical research and clinical applications requiring high throughput, high resolution particle analysis for cytometric characterization and/or sorting of cells and particles as well as for analyzing results from immunocytometric assays. In recent years, research has focused on developing microfluidic flow cytometers with the motivation of creating smaller, less expensive, simpler, and more autonomous alternatives to conventional flow cytometers. These devices could ideally be highly portable, easy to operate without extensive user training, and utilized for research purposes and/or point-of-care diagnostics especially in limited resource facilities or locations requiring on-site analyses. However, designing a device that fulfills the criteria of high throughput analysis, automation and portability, while not sacrificing performance is not a trivial matter. This review intends to present the current state of the field and provide considerations for further improvement by focusing on the key design components of microfluidic flow cytometers. The recent innovations in particle focusing and detection strategies are detailed and compared. This review outlines performance matrix parameters of flow cytometers that are interdependent with each other, suggesting trade offs in selection based on the requirements of the applications. The ongoing contribution of microfluidics demonstrates that it is a viable technology to advance the current state of flow cytometry and develop automated, easy to operate and cost-effective flow cytometers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil B Shrirao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, 599, Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - Zachary Fritz
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, 599, Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - Eric M Novik
- Hurel Corporation, 671, Suite B, U.S. Highway 1, North Brunswick, NJ 08902
| | - Gabriel M Yarmush
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, 599, Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - Rene S Schloss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, 599, Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - Jeffrey D Zahn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, 599, Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - Martin L Yarmush
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rutgers University, 599, Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
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6
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Abstract
This critical review summarizes the developments in the integration of micro-optical elements with microfluidic platforms for facilitating detection and automation of bio-analytical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yang
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering
- Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology
- Chinese Academy of Science
- 518055 Shenzhen
- China
| | - Martin A. M. Gijs
- Laboratory of Microsystems
- Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
- 1015 Lausanne
- Switzerland
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7
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Ngernsutivorakul T, Cipolla CM, Dugan CE, Jin S, Morris MD, Kennedy RT, Esmonde-White FWL. Design and microfabrication of a miniature fiber optic probe with integrated lenses and mirrors for Raman and fluorescence measurements. Anal Bioanal Chem 2017; 409:275-285. [PMID: 27766359 PMCID: PMC5203949 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-016-9999-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Fiber optics coupled to components such as lenses and mirrors have seen extensive use as probes for Raman and fluorescence measurements. Probes can be placed directly on or into a sample to allow for simplified and remote application of these optical techniques. The size and complexity of such probes however limits their application. We have used microfabrication in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to create compact probes that are 0.5 mm thick by 1 mm wide. The miniature probes incorporate pre-aligned mirrors, lenses, and two fiber optic guides to allow separate input and output optical paths suitable for Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy measurements. The fabricated probe has 70 % unidirectional optical throughput and generates no spectral artifacts in the wavelength range of 200 to 800 nm. The probe is demonstrated for measurement of fluorescence within microfluidic devices and collection of Raman spectra from a pharmaceutical tablet. The fluorescence limit of detection was 6 nM when using the probe to measure resorufin inside a 150-μm inner diameter glass capillary, 100 nM for resorufin in a 60-μm-deep × 100-μm-wide PDMS channel, and 11 nM for fluorescein in a 25-μm-deep × 80-μm-wide glass channel. It is demonstrated that the same probe can be used on different sample types, e.g., microfluidic chips and tablets. Compared to existing Raman and fluorescence probes, the microfabricated probes enable measurement in smaller spaces and have lower fabrication cost. Graphical abstract A microfabricated spectroscopic probe with integrated optics was developed for chemical detection in small spaces and in remote applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cynthia M Cipolla
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, 930 N. University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Colleen E Dugan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, 930 N. University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Shi Jin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, 930 N. University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Michael D Morris
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, 930 N. University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Robert T Kennedy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, 930 N. University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, 1150 W. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
| | - Francis W L Esmonde-White
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, 930 N. University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
- Kaiser Optical Systems Inc, 371 Parkland Plaza, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103, USA
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8
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Zhao Y, Li Q, Hu X, Lo Y. Microfluidic cytometers with integrated on-chip optical systems for red blood cell and platelet counting. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2016; 10:064119. [PMID: 28058085 PMCID: PMC5188361 DOI: 10.1063/1.4972105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/27/2016] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
A microfluidic cytometer with integrated on-chip optical systems was designed for red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) counting. The design, fabrication, and characterization of the microfluidic cytometer with on-chip optical signal detection were described. With process using only a single mask, the device that integrates optical fibers and on-chip microlens with microfluidic channels on a polydimethylsiloxane layer by standard soft photolithography. This compact structure increased the sensitivity of the device and eliminated time-consuming free-space optical alignments. The microfluidic cytometer was used to count red blood cells and platelets. Forward scatter and extinction were collected simultaneously for each cell. Experimental results indicated that the microfluidic cytometer exhibited comparable performance with a conventional cytometer and demonstrated superior capacity to detect on-chip optical signals in a highly compact, simple, truly portable, and low-cost format that is well suitable for point-of-care clinical diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Zhao
- School of Life Science, Key Laboratory of Convergence Medical Engineering System and Healthcare Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology , Beijing 100081, China
| | - Qin Li
- School of Life Science, Key Laboratory of Convergence Medical Engineering System and Healthcare Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology , Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xiaoming Hu
- School of Life Science, Key Laboratory of Convergence Medical Engineering System and Healthcare Technology, Beijing Institute of Technology , Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yuhwa Lo
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California San Diego , California 92093-0407, USA
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9
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Zhao J, You Z. A Microflow Cytometer with a Rectangular Quasi-Flat-Top Laser Spot. SENSORS 2016; 16:s16091474. [PMID: 27626428 PMCID: PMC5038752 DOI: 10.3390/s16091474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
This work develops a microflow cytometer, based on a microfluidic chip for three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic focusing and a binary optical element (BOE) for shaping and homogenizing a laser beam. The microfluidic chip utilizes sheath flows to confine the sample flow along the channel centerline with a narrow cross section. In addition to hydrodynamic focusing, secondary flows are generated to strengthen the focusing in the vertical direction. In experiments, the chip was able to focus the sample flow with cross sections of 15 μm high and 8-30 μm wide at 5 m/s, under the condition of the sample flow rates between 10 and 120 μL/min. Instead of using the conventional elliptical Gaussian spot for optical detection, we used a specially designed BOE and obtained a 50 μm × 10 μm rectangular quasi-flat-top spot. The microflow cytometer combining the chip and the BOE was tested to count 3, 5, and 7 μm fluorescence microbeads, and the experimental results were comparable to or better than those derived from two commercial instruments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
- Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
- Beijing Laboratory for Biomedical Detection Technology and Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
| | - Zheng You
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
- Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
- Beijing Laboratory for Biomedical Detection Technology and Instrument, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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10
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Yan CS, Wang YN. Multi-parameter analysis using photovoltaic cell-based optofluidic cytometer. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2016; 7:3585-3595. [PMID: 27699122 PMCID: PMC5030034 DOI: 10.1364/boe.7.003585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2016] [Revised: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
A multi-parameter optofluidic cytometer based on two low-cost commercial photovoltaic cells and an avalanche photodetector is proposed. The optofluidic cytometer is fabricated on a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate and is capable of detecting side scattered (SSC), extinction (EXT) and fluorescence (FL) signals simultaneously using a free-space light transmission technique without the need for on-chip optical waveguides. The feasibility of the proposed device is demonstrated by detecting fluorescent-labeled polystyrene beads with sizes of 3 μm, 5 μm and 10 μm, respectively, and label-free beads with a size of 7.26 μm. The detection experiments are performed using both single-bead population samples and mixed-bead population samples. The detection results obtained using the SSC/EXT, EXT/FL and SSC/FL signals are compared with those obtained using a commercial flow cytometer. It is shown that the optofluidic cytometer achieves a high detection accuracy for both single-bead population samples and mixed-bead population samples. Consequently, the proposed device provides a versatile, straightforward and low-cost solution for a wide variety of point-of-care (PoC) cytometry applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Shun Yan
- Department of Vehicle Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 912, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Nan Wang
- Department of Vehicle Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 912, Taiwan
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11
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Liang L, Zuo YF, Wu W, Zhu XQ, Yang Y. Optofluidic restricted imaging, spectroscopy and counting of nanoparticles by evanescent wave using immiscible liquids. LAB ON A CHIP 2016; 16:3007-3014. [PMID: 26984126 DOI: 10.1039/c6lc00078a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Conventional flow cytometry (FC) suffers from the diffraction limit for the detection of nanoparticles smaller than 100 nm, whereas traditional total internal reflection (TIR) microscopy can only detect few samples near the solid-liquid interface mostly in static states. Here we demonstrate a novel on-chip optofluidic technique using evanescent wave sensing for single nanoparticle real time detection by combining hydrodynamic focusing and TIR using immiscible flows. The immiscibility of the high-index sheath flow and the low-index core flow naturally generate a smooth, flat and step-index interface that is ideal for the TIR effect, whose evanescent field can penetrate the full width of the core flow. Hydrodynamic focusing can focus on all the nanoparticles in the extreme centre of the core flow with a width smaller than 1 μm. This technique enables us to illuminate every single sample in the running core flow by the evanescent field, leaving none unaffected. Moreover, it works well for samples much smaller than the diffraction limit. We have successfully demonstrated the scattering imaging and counting of 50 nm and 100 nm Au nanoparticles and also the fluorescence imaging and counting of 200 nm beads. The effective counting speeds are estimated as 1500, 2300 and 2000 particles per second for the three types of nanoparticles, respectively. The optical scattering spectra were also measured to determine the size of individual Au nanoparticles. This provides a new technique to detect nanoparticles and we foresee its application in the detection of molecules for biomedical analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Liang
- School of Physics & Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
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12
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Ackermann TN, Giménez-Gómez P, Muñoz-Berbel X, Llobera A. Plug and measure - a chip-to-world interface for photonic lab-on-a-chip applications. LAB ON A CHIP 2016; 16:3220-3226. [PMID: 27428056 DOI: 10.1039/c6lc00462h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The integration of detection mechanisms with microfluidics may be one of the most promising routes towards widespread application of Lab-on-a-Chip (LoC) devices. Photonic detection methods like in the so-called Photonic Lab-on-a-Chip (PhLoC) have advantages such as being non-invasive, easy to sterilize and highly sensitive even with short integration times and thus allow in situ monitoring and quantification of biological and chemical processes. The readout of such detection methods usually requires special training of potential users, as in most cases they are confronted with the need of establishing fiber-optics connections to and from the PhLoC and/or rely on the use of complex laboratory equipment. Here, we present a low-cost and robust chip-to-world interface (CWI), fabricated by CO2-laser machining, facilitating the non-expert use of PhLoCs. Fiber-optics with standard SMA-connectors (non-pigtailed) and PhLoCs can be plugged into the CWI without the need for further adjustments. This standardization bestows great versatility on the interface, providing a direct link between PhLoCs and a wide range of light sources and photo-detectors. The ease-of-use of the proposed simple plug mechanism represents a step forward in terms of user-friendliness and may lead PhLoC devices to practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Nils Ackermann
- Institut de Microelectrónica (IMB-CNM), Campus UAB, E-08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Pablo Giménez-Gómez
- Institut de Microelectrónica (IMB-CNM), Campus UAB, E-08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Xavier Muñoz-Berbel
- Institut de Microelectrónica (IMB-CNM), Campus UAB, E-08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
| | - Andreu Llobera
- Institut de Microelectrónica (IMB-CNM), Campus UAB, E-08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
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13
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Zhao HT, Yang Y, Chin LK, Chen HF, Zhu WM, Zhang JB, Yap PH, Liedberg B, Wang K, Wang G, Ser W, Liu AQ. Optofluidic lens with low spherical and low field curvature aberrations. LAB ON A CHIP 2016; 16:1617-24. [PMID: 27050492 DOI: 10.1039/c6lc00295a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
This paper reports an optofluidic lens with low spherical and low field curvature aberrations through the desired refractive index profile by precisely controlling the mixing between ethylene glycol and deionized water in an optofluidic chip. The experimental results demonstrate that the spherical aberration is reduced to 19.5 μm and the full width at half maximum of the focal point is 7.8 μm with a wide divergence angle of 35 degrees. In addition, the optofluidic lens can focus light at different off-axis positions on the focal plane with Δx' < 6.8 μm and at opposite transverse positions with |Δy - Δy'| < 5.7 μm. This is the first demonstration of a special optofluidic lens that significantly reduces both the spherical and field curvature aberrations, which enhances the focusing power and facilitates multiple light source illumination using a single lens. It is anticipated to have high potential for applications such as on-chip light manipulation, sample illumination and multiplexed detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- H T Zhao
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798.
| | - Y Yang
- School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - L K Chin
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798.
| | - H F Chen
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798.
| | - W M Zhu
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798.
| | - J B Zhang
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798.
| | - P H Yap
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 308232
| | - B Liedberg
- Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798
| | - K Wang
- Institute of Biological Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan and College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan
| | - G Wang
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798.
| | - W Ser
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798.
| | - A Q Liu
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798.
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14
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Zhang Y, Watts BR, Guo T, Zhang Z, Xu C, Fang Q. Optofluidic Device Based Microflow Cytometers for Particle/Cell Detection: A Review. MICROMACHINES 2016; 7:mi7040070. [PMID: 30407441 PMCID: PMC6189758 DOI: 10.3390/mi7040070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Optofluidic devices combining micro-optical and microfluidic components bring a host of new advantages to conventional microfluidic devices. Aspects, such as optical beam shaping, can be integrated on-chip and provide high-sensitivity and built-in optical alignment. Optofluidic microflow cytometers have been demonstrated in applications, such as point-of-care diagnostics, cellular immunophenotyping, rare cell analysis, genomics and analytical chemistry. Flow control, light guiding and collecting, data collection and data analysis are the four main techniques attributed to the performance of the optofluidic microflow cytometer. Each of the four areas is discussed in detail to show the basic principles and recent developments. 3D microfabrication techniques are discussed in their use to make these novel microfluidic devices, and the integration of the whole system takes advantage of the miniaturization of each sub-system. The combination of these different techniques is a spur to the development of microflow cytometers, and results show the performance of many types of microflow cytometers developed recently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushan Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada.
| | - Benjamin R Watts
- ArtIC Photonics, 260 Terence Matthews Cres, Ottawa, ON K2M 2C7, Canada.
| | - Tianyi Guo
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada.
| | - Zhiyi Zhang
- Information and Communication Technologies, National Research Council of Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Changqing Xu
- Department of Engineering Physics, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada.
| | - Qiyin Fang
- Department of Engineering Physics, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada.
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15
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Testa G, Persichetti G, Bernini R. Micro flow cytometer with self-aligned 3D hydrodynamic focusing. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2015; 6:54-62. [PMID: 25657874 PMCID: PMC4317119 DOI: 10.1364/boe.6.000054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Revised: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
A micro flow cytometer with a single step 3D hydrodynamic flow focusing has been developed. The proposed design is capable to create a single-file particle stream that is self-aligned with an integrated optical fiber-based detection system, regardless of the flow rate ratio between the focusing and core liquids. The design approach provides the ability to adjust the stream size while keeping the position of the focused stream centered with respect to the focusing channel. The device has been fabricated by direct micro milling of PMMA sheets. Experimental validation of the hydrodynamic sheath focusing effect has been presented and sample stream with tuneable size from about 18 to 50 μm was measured. Flow cytometry measurements have been performed by using 10-23 μm fluorescent particles. From the analysis of the signals collected at each transit event we can confirm that the device was capable to align and measure microparticles with a good coefficient of variance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genni Testa
- Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA), National Research Council, (CNR), Via Diocleziano 328, 80124 Napoli,
Italy
| | - Gianluca Persichetti
- Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA), National Research Council, (CNR), Via Diocleziano 328, 80124 Napoli,
Italy
| | - Romeo Bernini
- Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA), National Research Council, (CNR), Via Diocleziano 328, 80124 Napoli,
Italy
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16
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Guo T, Wei Y, Xu C, Watts BR, Zhang Z, Fang Q, Zhang H, Selvaganapathy PR, Deen MJ. Counting ofEscherichia coliby a microflow cytometer based on a photonic-microfluidic integrated device. Electrophoresis 2014; 36:298-304. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.201400211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2014] [Revised: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Guo
- School of Biomedical Engineering; McMaster University; Hamilton Canada
- Institute of Microelectronics; Chinese Academy of Science; Beijing China
| | - Yin Wei
- Department of Engineering Physics; McMaster University; Hamilton Canada
| | - Changqing Xu
- Department of Engineering Physics; McMaster University; Hamilton Canada
| | - Benjamin R. Watts
- Department of Engineering Physics; McMaster University; Hamilton Canada
| | - Zhiyi Zhang
- Information and Communication Technologies; National Research Council of Canada; Ottawa Canada
| | - Qiyin Fang
- School of Biomedical Engineering; McMaster University; Hamilton Canada
- Department of Engineering Physics; McMaster University; Hamilton Canada
| | - Haiying Zhang
- Institute of Microelectronics; Chinese Academy of Science; Beijing China
| | | | - M. Jamal Deen
- School of Biomedical Engineering; McMaster University; Hamilton Canada
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering; McMaster University; Hamilton Canada
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17
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Testa G, Persichetti G, Sarro PM, Bernini R. A hybrid silicon-PDMS optofluidic platform for sensing applications. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2014; 5:417-26. [PMID: 24575337 PMCID: PMC3920873 DOI: 10.1364/boe.5.000417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2013] [Revised: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
A hybrid silicon-poly(dimethysiloxane) (PDMS) optofluidic platform for lab-on-a-chip applications is proposed. A liquid-core waveguide with a self-aligned solid-core waveguide and a microfluidic device are integrated with a multilayer approach, resulting in a three-dimensional device assembly. The optofluidic layer was fabricated with a hybrid silicon-polymer technology, whereas the microfluidic layer was fabricated with a soft lithography technique. The combination of different materials and fabrication processes allows a modular approach, enabling both the benefits from the high optical quality achievable with silicon technology and the low cost of polymer processing. The proposed chip has been tested for fluorescence measurements on Cy5 water solutions, demonstrating the possibility to obtain a limit of detection of 2.5 nM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genni Testa
- Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA), National Research Council, (CNR), Via Diocleziano 328, 80124 Napoli, Italy
| | - Gianluca Persichetti
- Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA), National Research Council, (CNR), Via Diocleziano 328, 80124 Napoli, Italy
| | - Pasqualina M. Sarro
- DIMES-ECTM, Delft University of Technology, Feldmannweg 17, 2628 CT Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Romeo Bernini
- Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA), National Research Council, (CNR), Via Diocleziano 328, 80124 Napoli, Italy
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18
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Kirleis MA, Mathews SA, Verbarg J, Erickson JS, Piqué A. Reconfigurable acquisition system with integrated optics for a portable flow cytometer. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2013; 84:115109. [PMID: 24289439 DOI: 10.1063/1.4831835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Portable and inexpensive scientific instruments that are capable of performing point of care diagnostics are needed for applications such as disease detection and diagnosis in resource-poor settings, for water quality and food supply monitoring, and for biosurveillance activities in autonomous vehicles. In this paper, we describe the development of a compact flow cytometer built from three separate, customizable, and interchangeable modules. The instrument as configured in this work is being developed specifically for the detection of selected Centers for Disease Control (CDC) category B biothreat agents through a bead-based assay: E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Listeria, and Shigella. It has two-color excitation, three-color fluorescence and light scattering detection, embedded electronics, and capillary based flow. However, these attributes can be easily modified for other applications such as cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) counting. Proof of concept is demonstrated through a 6-plex bead assay with the results compared to a commercially available benchtop-sized instrument.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Kirleis
- Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20375, USA
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19
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Watts BR, Zhang Z, Xu CQ, Cao X, Lin M. Scattering detection using a photonic-microfluidic integrated device with on-chip collection capabilities. Electrophoresis 2013; 35:271-81. [DOI: 10.1002/elps.201300195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2013] [Revised: 06/07/2013] [Accepted: 06/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R. Watts
- Department of Engineering Physics; McMaster University; Hamilton Canada
| | - Zhiyi Zhang
- Institute for Microstructural Sciences; National Research Council of Canada; Ottawa Canada
| | - Chang Qing Xu
- Department of Engineering Physics; McMaster University; Hamilton Canada
| | - Xudong Cao
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering; University of Ottawa; Ottawa Canada
| | - Min Lin
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency; Ottawa Canada
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20
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Erickson RA, Jimenez R. Microfluidic cytometer for high-throughput measurement of photosynthetic characteristics and lipid accumulation in individual algal cells. LAB ON A CHIP 2013; 13:2893-901. [PMID: 23681282 DOI: 10.1039/c3lc41429a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Commercially viable algal biofuel production requires discovery of new strains, genetic engineering for higher productivity and optimization of growth conditions. To accelerate research in these areas, we developed a microfluidic cytometer that measures forward light scatter, chlorophyll fluorescence induction and lipophilic stain fluorescence at a rate of 100 cells s(-1). The chlorophyll fluorescence data is processed in real-time to measure the fluorescence-based maximum quantum yield, reported as Fv/Fm, to quantify the photochemical energy conversion of each cell. To demonstrate instrument performance, Fv/Fm measurements are obtained for unstressed (nutrient-replete) and stressed (nutrient-limited) cultures of the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum and are correlated to values obtained in bulk samples using traditional pulse-amplitude-modulating fluorometry. We then use the cytometer to characterize unstressed and stressed P. tricornutum and show that lipid content (as measured by Nile Red fluorescence) is inversely correlated with Fv/Fm. We believe these findings to be the first time that both photosynthetic efficiency and lipid accumulation have been simultaneously evaluated at the single cell level, and that in doing so, the diversity within these populations was revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Erickson
- JILA, University of Colorado-Boulder and National Institute of Standards and Technology, 440 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA.
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21
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Watts BR, Zhang Z, Xu CQ, Cao X, Lin M. A method for detecting forward scattering signals on-chip with a photonic-microfluidic integrated device. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2013; 4:1051-60. [PMID: 23847731 PMCID: PMC3704087 DOI: 10.1364/boe.4.001051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2013] [Revised: 03/19/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
A photonic integrated microfluidic device is demonstrated to perform optical excitation and forward scatter collection all on-chip in a planar format. Integrated on-chip optics formed a tailored beam geometry for optimal excitation of particles while a special design modification allowed for on-chip forward collection with the beam shaping capabilities. A notch was placed in the lens system that caused a dark spot on the facet of a collection waveguide while not affecting the beam geometry at the point of interrogation. The modified device with the ability to form a 10 μm beam geometry was demonstrated to detect the forward scatter from blank 5 μm diameter polystyrene beads. Free-space collection of side scatter signals was performed simultaneously with the on-chip collection and the designs demonstrated and enhanced SNR while the reliability of detection was determined to be appropriate for many applications. Excellent performance was confirmed via a false positive rate of 0.4%, a missed events rate of 6.8%, and a coincident rate of 96.3% as determined between simultaneously performed free-space and on-chip detection schemes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R. Watts
- Department of Engineering Physics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L7, Canada
| | - Zhiyi Zhang
- Institute of Microstructural Science, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Chang-Qing Xu
- Department of Engineering Physics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L7, Canada
| | - Xudong Cao
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Min Lin
- Ottawa Laboratory Fallowfield, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, Ontario, K2H 8P9, Canada
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