Patent Application
20250060305
The present invention relates to an optical measurement device, and more particularly, to an integrated optical measurement device that measures a sample using multiple lights.
In the case of lateral flow immunoassay, various biomolecules and analytes are used to secure performance suitable for each purpose. This results in specific reaction effects and corresponding wavelength characteristics, and requires devices suitable for each measurement. Representative examples may include colored reactions using absorption characteristics of visible light, fluorescent reactions using excitation light, and time-resolved fluorescence signal measurement methods using phosphorescence.
Meanwhile, a point-of-care testing (POCT) device should be easily carried and moved due to its characteristics. The POCT device should be small, light, and have durability and performance. However, the point-of-care testing (POCT) technology utilizing the lateral flow immunoassay method has limitations described below. 1. A system that utilizes only light in a visible light range or a fluorescence analysis system that measures only the concentration of fluorescently labeled reactants should be operated separately. 2. The system has a plurality of drive systems inside, making it vulnerable to durability. 3. Devices that may simultaneously observe colored reactions and fluorescent reactions are large and heavy, making it difficult to respond in the field. In particular, the durability damage caused by the complex structure is directly related to the quantitative and qualitative analysis performance of the device, and the large and heavy devices are difficult to utilize in the field, which is a matter that the POCT needs to address.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention provides an integrated optical measurement device in which a plurality of light sources, sensors, filters, lenses, etc., corresponding to each wavelength band are miniaturized and integrated into a single module when measuring a colored reaction or fluorescent reaction or time-resolved fluorescence signal of a lateral flow analysis cassette having different wavelength characteristics.
To solve the problems described above, according to various embodiments of the present invention, an integrated optical measurement device includes a light source module that includes first to Nth light source units each of which irradiates light of different wavelengths to a sample (N is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), when a direction in which the light source module irradiates light is downward, a detection module that is provided above the light source module to detect a reaction of the sample, a sample unit that is provided below the light source module to fix the sample, and an angle mount that fixes the first to Nth light source units at a predetermined angle, in which the first to Nth light source units are fixedly installed around the detection module.
The detection module may include a sensor unit that acquires image information on the sample, a filter unit that is provided below the sensor unit, includes a plurality of filters that pass light reflected from the sample through a predetermined wavelength range, and is movably installed according to the sample and selectively applies the filters, and a lens unit that is arranged between the filter unit and the light source module.
The first to Nth light source units may be radially arranged on one side of the lens unit around the lens unit.
The first light source unit of the first to Nth light source units may include a plurality of first light sources that irradiate light of a first wavelength range to the sample, and the plurality of first light sources may be arranged in a longitudinal direction of the sample unit at a predetermined interval from each other.
The second light source unit of the first to Nth light source units may include a second light source that irradiates light of a second wavelength range to the sample, a plurality of light sources being arranged in a straight line in a longitudinal direction of the sample unit, a second light source lens that refracts or disperses the light of the second wavelength range irradiated from the second light source, and a filter for the second light source that filters the light irradiated from the second light source, and the second light source unit may be arranged on one side based on the longitudinal direction of the sample unit.
The third light source unit of the first to Nth light source units (N is a natural number greater than or equal to 3) may include a third light source that irradiates light of a third wavelength range to the sample, a plurality of light sources being arranged in a straight line in a longitudinal direction of the sample unit, a diffusion lens for the third light source that diffuses the light of the third wavelength range irradiated from the third light source, and a filter for the third light source that filters the light irradiated from the third light source, and the third light source unit may be arranged to face the second light source unit of the first to Nth light source units based on the longitudinal direction of the sample unit.
The sensor unit may include one of a 1D or 2D sensor.
Each of the first to Nth light source units may include at least one light source, and the angle mount may include an angle mount for the light source that fixes the light source included in the first to Nth light source unit at a predetermined angle.
The second and third light source units of the first to Nth light source units may include filters for the second and third light sources, respectively, for filtering the irradiated light, and the angle mount may further include an angle mount for a filter that fixes at least one of the filter for the second light source and the filter for the third light source at a predetermined angle.
When a surface in contact with the first light source unit of the first to Nth light source units is referred to as a first light source surface, a surface in contact with the second light source unit is referred to as a second light source surface, a surface in contact with the third light source unit is referred to as a third light source surface, a surface in contact with the lens unit is referred to as a lens surface, and a surface in contact with the sample unit is referred to as a sample surface, an angle between the sample surface and the first light source surface may be smaller than an angle between the sample surface and the second light source surface and an angle between the sample surface and the third light source surface.
According to an integrated optical measurement device according to various embodiments of the present invention as described above, by integrating lenses and sensors that are separately present for each measurement mode into one lens unit and one sensor unit, it is possible to measure a color reaction, a fluorescent reaction, and a time-resolved fluorescence signal with one optical module.
In addition, by configuring a light source module to which a plurality of light source elements is applied from 1 channel to 4 channels by wavelength to integrate a light source lens into a light source module, and by compressing and applying a filter and a diffusion plate to minimize unnecessary space and elements, it is possible to make a device smaller and lighter.
In addition, by eliminating a separate driving unit and applying a 1D or 2D array sensor and arranging a light source module in an appropriate location to provide a flat light amount, it is possible to cover the entire area of the sample to be measured.
In order to explain the present invention and the operational advantages of the present invention and the objects achieved by the practice of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be exemplified below, and the present invention will be described with reference thereto.
First, the terms used in this application are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention, and singular expressions may include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be understood that term “include” or “have” used in the present specification, specify the presence of features, numerals, steps, operations, components, parts mentioned in the present specification, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numerals, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.
In describing exemplary embodiments of the present invention, well-known functions or constructions will not be described in detail since they may unnecessarily obscure the understanding of the present invention.
As illustrated in
The light source module 200 includes first to Nth light source units that irradiate light to a sample 10, in which the first to Nth light source units irradiate light of different wavelengths. Here, N means a natural number greater than or equal to 2.
When a direction in which the light source module 200 irradiates light is downward, the detection module 100 is provided above the light source module 200 to detect the reaction of the sample 10 according to the light irradiation.
The sample unit 300 is provided below the light source module 200 to fix the sample 10.
The angle mount 400 corresponds to the first to Nth light source units to fix the first to Nth light source units at a predetermined angle.
In this case, the first to Nth light source units may be fixedly installed around the detection module 100 for inspection of multiple wavelength light without a mirror or a prism. By fixing the first to Nth light source units, the device may be portable and have enhanced vibration resistance and durability. In addition, the size of the first to Nth light source units may be reduced by not including the mirror or prism. In addition, the sample unit 300 may include a cartridge.
Specifically, referring to
The sensor unit 110 acquires image information on the sample 10.
The filter unit 120 is provided below the sensor unit 110 and includes a plurality of filters, and passes light of a predetermined wavelength range among the light reflected from the sample 10, but is installed movably according to the sample 10 and selectively applies the plurality of filters.
The lens unit 130 is arranged between the filter unit 120 and the light source module 200.
More specifically, the sensor unit 110 may include one of a 1D sensor or a 2D sensor. Therefore, the sensor unit 110 may measure the sample 10 without a separate driving unit. In addition, the filter unit 120 can move left/right or up/down, so the plurality of filters may be automatically replaced. The filters may be automatically replaced by recognizing a specific barcode or a QR code in the sample unit 300.
In addition, the first to Nth light source unit may be radially arranged on one side of the lens unit 130. The first to Nth light source unit will be described in detail in the following description.
Among the first to Nth light source units, the first light source unit 210 may include a first light source 211 and a base 212 for the first light source.
The number of first light sources 211 is plural, and each first source 211 is fixed to the base 212 for the first light source to irradiate light of a first wavelength range to the sample 10. Specifically, the first light source unit 210 is a light source unit for time-resolved fluorescent reaction, and the plurality of first light sources 211 may be arranged in a longitudinal direction of the sample unit 300 at a predetermined interval from each other.
As illustrated in
The second light source 221 is fixed to a base 222 for the second light source to irradiate light to the sample 10, but the light may be light of a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range. In addition, the second light source 221 includes a plurality of light sources, and a plurality of the light sources may be arranged in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the sample unit 300. Specifically, the second light source 221 may include two light sources.
The lens 223 for the second light source may refract or disperse light of the second wavelength range irradiated from the second light source 221.
The filter 224 for the second light source may filter light irradiated from the second light source 221.
Specifically, the second light source unit 220 is a light source unit for fluorescent reaction, and may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the sample unit 300.
Meanwhile, the third light source unit 230 of the first to Nth light source units may include a third light source 231, a diffusion lens 233 for the third light source, and a filter 234 for the third light source.
The third light source 231 is fixed to a base 232 for the third light source and may include a plurality of light sources. In addition, the plurality of the light sources may be arranged in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the sample unit 300, and more specifically, the third light source 231 may include eight light sources and irradiate light of a third wavelength range.
The diffusion lens 233 for the third light source diffuses light of the third wavelength range irradiated from the third light source 231.
The filter 234 for the third light source filters the light irradiated from the third light source 231.
In addition, the third light source unit 230 is a light source unit for colored reaction, and may be arranged in a direction facing the second light source unit 220.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In order for the first to Nth light source units illustrated in
Specifically, the angle mount 410 for the light source may fix at least one of the second light source 221 and the third light source 231 at a predetermined angle.
In addition, the angle mount 400 may include an angle mount 420 for a filter for fixing the filter.
Specifically, the angle mount 420 for the filter may fix at least one of the filter 224 for the second light source and the filter 234 for the third light source at a predetermined angle.
More specifically, the angle formed by the sample surface 300′ and the first light source surface 210′ and 210″ based on the sample surface 300′ may be 30°, and the angle formed by the sample surface 300′ and the second light source surface 220′ and the third light source surface 230′ may be 35°, respectively.
Through the above-described predetermined angle, a flat amount of light can be provided to the entire area of the sample 10 to be measured in a limited space.
That is, unlike the conventional method of having to use separate diagnostic equipment to measure the colored reaction, the fluorescent reaction, and the time-resolved fluorescence signal, an integrated optical measurement device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention enables measurement for each mode by applying three optical systems with one device. In addition, the light source of the wavelength band required for each measurement mode is applied as a multi-channel, and the driving unit is removed, enabling the quantitative and qualitative measurement. Specifically, unlike the conventional lateral flow analysis in which the sensor unit moves and measures, the present invention provides a mobile integrated POCT device capable of highly reliable measurement by fixing the movement of the sensor unit 110 to avoid the noise generated during the movement.
Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described hereinabove, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned specific exemplary embodiments. That is, many modifications and alterations of the present invention may be made by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims. In addition, it is to be considered that all of these modifications and alterations fall within the scope of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2022-0126212 | Oct 2022 | KR | national |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/KR2023/008925 | Jun 2023 | WO |
| Child | 18939545 | US |
