US5615008A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical waveguide integrated spectrometer
Assignee: Beckman Coulter Inc
•
Filing: 1994-12-21
•
Granted: 1997-03-25
•
Expires: 2014-12-21
Abstract
Abstract An analytical system uses a waveguide having embedded Bragg gratings to redirect light from the waveguide outwardly for analytical determination by detectors. The analytical system can be a spectrophotometer, spectrofluorimeter, or other means for analyzing the components of light passed through a sample or emanating from a sample. The system can be single or multi-channeled and can be integrated with a detector onto a single chip device. A manifold with multiple input waveguides and multiple output waveguides is also provided. The interaction point between the input and output waveguides is a target area in which a sample capillary tube can be located.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas M. Stachelek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:56
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J3/00; G01J3/12; G01J3/18; G01J3/1804; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/02; G02B6/02057; G02B6/02076; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/28; G02B6/293; G02B6/29304; G02B6/29316; G02B6/29323
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 65
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An analytical system comprising: a waveguide of solid material capable of guiding input light along a first path from a first end of the waveguide towards a second end; at least one first grating region embedded in the waveguide and having a multitude of grating elements constituted by axially successive refractive index variations in the solid material and extending at such respective spacings to redirect at least some components of the light reaching the grating elements externally of the waveguide portion; and means external to the waveguide for receiving the light for analytical determination of the components of the light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
An analytical system comprising: a waveguide of solid material capable of guiding input light along a first path from a first end of the waveguide towards a second end; at least one first grating region embedded in the waveguide and having a multitude of grating elements constituted by axially successive refractive index variations in the solid material and extending at such respective spacings to redirect at least some components of the light reaching the grating elements externally of the waveguide portion; and means external to the waveguide for receiving the light for analytical determination of the components of the light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 including means for spectroscopically analyzing the components of light emanating from the waveguide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 including means for analyzing the emitted light to obtain a measure of fluorescence of light emanating from the waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 including at least two different first grating regions embedded in the waveguide, each respective first grating region acting to redirect light of different wavelengths from the waveguide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 including at least one other second grating region, such other second grating region acting as a filter grating, the filter grating rejecting light of selected wavelengths prior to interaction of the light with the first grating region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 including a detector located in adjacency with the waveguide, the detector being for measuring the components of light redirected from the waveguide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 further including multiple waveguides being located in physical adjacency relative to each other on a substrate, and multiple detectors in relative location with the substrate for respectively measuring components of the light emanating from the respective multiple waveguides.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein the multiple detectors are located in an integrated chip, the integrated chip being physically located in adjacency with the substrate such that each waveguide is related to a respective selected detector, and wherein the multiple waveguides and multiple detectors are integrated into a single unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
A system as claimed in claim 8 including, for each waveguide, capillary means in adjacency with the waveguide wherein the input light to the waveguide is obtained from the capillary means carrying a fluid, and means for directing the light emanating from the capillary means as a result of reaction with the fluid passing through the capillary as the input light to the waveguide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 including capillary means in adjacency with the waveguide wherein the input light to the waveguide is obtained from the capillary means carrying a fluid, the capillary means being located substantially transverse to a light source, means for subjecting the capillary means to incident light from the light source, and means for directing the light emanating from the capillary means as a result of reaction with the fluid passing through the capillary as the input light to the waveguide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein the light components analyzed represent a measure of fluorescence of the fluid passing through the capillary means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first grating region is recorded by light in a transmission mode and detects light in a reflection mode from the grating region.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 including a detector located adjacent to the waveguide for measuring components the light emanating from the second end of the waveguide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
85 words
A system as claimed in claim 13 including capillary means in adjacency with the waveguide wherein the input light to the waveguide is obtained from the capillary means carrying a fluid, the capillary means being located substantially transverse to a light source, means for subjecting the capillary means to incident light from the light source, and means for directing the light emanating from the capillary means as a result of reaction with the fluid passing through the capillary as the input light to the waveguide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
85 words
A system as claimed in claim 2 including capillary means in adjacency with the waveguide wherein the input light to the waveguide is obtained from the capillary means carrying a fluid, the capillary means being located substantially transverse to a light source, means for subjecting the capillary means to incident light from the light source, and means for directing the light emanating from the capillary means as a result of reaction with the fluid passing through the capillary as the input light to the waveguide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as claimed in claim 15 including means for passing the input light to the waveguide through a filter grating located downstream from the first end of the waveguide, the filter grating being ahead of the first grating region for redirecting light.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 including means for locating a sample adjacent to the first end of the waveguide, means for inputting light through the sample and for inputting light emanating from the sample into the first end of the waveguide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein the first grating region redirects light components at preselected wavelengths, and includes a detector located adjacent to the waveguide for measuring the redirected light components.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
140 words
An analytical system comprising: a waveguide of solid material capable of guiding input light along a first path from a first end of the guide towards a second end; at least one first grating region embedded in the waveguide and having a multitude of grating elements constituted by axially successive refractive index variations in the solid material and extending at such respective spacings to redirect at least some components of the light reaching the grating elements externally of said waveguide portion, and wherein such redirected light components eliminate undesirable scattered light; and means external to the waveguide for receiving the light and for analytically determining light components passing through the first grating region, the light components being determined being those passing through the first grating region and being outputted from an end of the waveguide remote from the first end.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
140 words
An analytical system comprising: a waveguide of solid material capable of guiding input light along a first path from a first end of the guide towards a second end; at least one first grating region embedded in the waveguide and having a multitude of grating elements constituted by axially successive refractive index variations in the solid material and extending at such respective spacings to redirect at least some components of the light reaching the grating elements externally of said waveguide portion, and wherein such redirected light components eliminate undesirable scattered light; and means external to the waveguide for receiving the light and for analytically determining light components passing through the first grating region, the light components being determined being those passing through the first grating region and being outputted from an end of the waveguide remote from the first end.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the redirected light components are generated by Raman scattering.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
91 words
A waveguide light system comprising: a first waveguide for directing light towards a predetermined position; first grating region embedded in the first waveguide and having a multitude of grating elements constituted by axially successive refractive index variations in the waveguide, and extending at such respective spacings to redirect at least some components of the light reaching said grating elements within the first waveguide; a second waveguide for receiving light from the predetermined position; and a target at the predetermined position through which the light directed to the predetermined position is directed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
91 words
A waveguide light system comprising: a first waveguide for directing light towards a predetermined position; first grating region embedded in the first waveguide and having a multitude of grating elements constituted by axially successive refractive index variations in the waveguide, and extending at such respective spacings to redirect at least some components of the light reaching said grating elements within the first waveguide; a second waveguide for receiving light from the predetermined position; and a target at the predetermined position through which the light directed to the predetermined position is directed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system as claimed in claim 21 wherein the first waveguide and second waveguide are located relatively transverse to each other.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as claimed in claim 22 including a capillary tube at the target, and wherein the capillary tube has an outer diameter and a capillary bore, and wherein the capillary tube is located substantially transverse to the first waveguide and second waveguide.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
71 words
A system as claimed in claim 23 including a first block adjacent to the capillary tube for reflecting light directed from the first waveguide back through the capillary tube, a second block adjacent to the capillary tube opposite to the second waveguide for facilitating transmission of light in the second waveguide, the second block acting as a reflector for the emission of light from the capillary tube into the second waveguide.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as claimed in claim 23 wherein the first waveguide defines a first width, the first width being substantially equal to the capillary bore, and the second waveguide defines a second width, the second width being substantially equal to the outer diameter of the capillary bore.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as claimed in claim 22 including multiple first waveguides, and multiple second waveguides, each of the multiple first waveguides being in communication with the respective multiple second waveguides thereby to constitute an input and output manifold.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as claimed in claim 23 including multiple first waveguides, and multiple second waveguides, each of the multiple first waveguides being in communication with the respective multiple second waveguides thereby to constitute an input and output manifold.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as claimed in claim 24 including multiple first waveguides, and multiple second waveguides, each of the multiple first waveguides being in communication with the respective multiple second waveguides thereby to constitute an input and output manifold.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
78 words
A waveguide light system comprising: a waveguide for directing light towards a predetermined position; at least one first grating region embedded in the waveguide and having a multitude of grating elements constituted by axially successive refractive index variations and extending at such respective spacings to redirect at least some components of the light reaching said grating elements within the waveguide; and a target at the predetermined position through which the light directed to the predetermined position is directed.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
78 words
A waveguide light system comprising: a waveguide for directing light towards a predetermined position; at least one first grating region embedded in the waveguide and having a multitude of grating elements constituted by axially successive refractive index variations and extending at such respective spacings to redirect at least some components of the light reaching said grating elements within the waveguide; and a target at the predetermined position through which the light directed to the predetermined position is directed.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system as claimed in claim 29 including a capillary tube at the target, and wherein the capillary tube has an outer diameter and a capillary bore, and wherein the capillary tube is located substantially transverse to the waveguide.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
68 words
A system as claimed in claim 29 including at least a second first grating region embedded in the waveguide and having a multitude of grating elements constituted by axially successive refractive index variations in solid material of the waveguide and extending at such respective spacings to redirect at least some components of the light reaching said grating elements within the waveguide, the first region gratings constituting a resonator.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system as claimed in claim 29 including at least one second first grating region embedded in the waveguide region having a multitude of grating elements constituted by axially successive refractive index variations, and extending at such respective spacings to redirect at least some components of the light reaching said grating elements the first and second grating being spaced about the target thereby to form a resonator about the target.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
130 words
An analytical system comprising: multiple waveguides of solid material capable of guiding input light along a first path from a first end of each waveguide towards a second end; at least one grating region embedded in at least one waveguide and having multitude of grating elements constituted by axially successive refractive index variations and extending at such respective spacings to redirect at least some components of the light reaching said grating elements within the waveguide means external to the waveguides for receiving the light for analytical determination of the components of the light, the multiple waveguides being located in physical adjacency relative to each other on a substrate; and multiple detectors in relative location with the substrate for respectively measuring components of the light emanating from the respective multiple waveguides.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
130 words
An analytical system comprising: multiple waveguides of solid material capable of guiding input light along a first path from a first end of each waveguide towards a second end; at least one grating region embedded in at least one waveguide and having multitude of grating elements constituted by axially successive refractive index variations and extending at such respective spacings to redirect at least some components of the light reaching said grating elements within the waveguide means external to the waveguides for receiving the light for analytical determination of the components of the light, the multiple waveguides being located in physical adjacency relative to each other on a substrate; and multiple detectors in relative location with the substrate for respectively measuring components of the light emanating from the respective multiple waveguides.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
64 words
A system is claimed in claim 33 including for each waveguide capillary means in adjacency with the waveguide wherein the input light to the waveguide is obtained from the capillary means carrying a fluid, and means for directing the light emanating from the capillary means as a result of reaction with the fluid passing through the capillary as the input light to the waveguide.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of analyzing light travelling along an elongated waveguide comprising: guiding an input light along a first elongated path from a first end of a waveguide of solid material towards a second end of the waveguide; redirecting at least one component of light from the waveguide by a first grating region embedded in the waveguide, the grating region including grating elements constituted by axially successive refractive index variations in the solid material, externally to the waveguide; and analyzing the redirected light for determination of the components of the light.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of analyzing light travelling along an elongated waveguide comprising: guiding an input light along a first elongated path from a first end of a waveguide of solid material towards a second end of the waveguide; redirecting at least one component of light from the waveguide by a first grating region embedded in the waveguide, the grating region including grating elements constituted by axially successive refractive index variations in the solid material, externally to the waveguide; and analyzing the redirected light for determination of the components of the light.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 35 including spectroscopically analyzing the components of light.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 35 including analyzing the emitted light to obtain a measure of the light fluorescence.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 37 including embedding at least two different first grating regions in the waveguide, each respective first grating region acting to reflect light of different wavelengths from the waveguide.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as claimed in claim 35 including embedding at least one other second grating, such other second grating acting as a filter grating, the filter grating acting to reject light of selected wavelengths prior to interaction of the light with the first grating region.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 35 including detecting the light in adjacency with the waveguide by the detector acting to measure the components of light redirected from the waveguide.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as claimed in claim 35 including locating multiple waveguides in physical adjacency relative to each other on a substrate; and locating multiple detectors adjacent to the substrate thereby to measure light components emanating from the respectively different waveguides.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method as claimed in claim 41 including locating the multiple detectors on an integrated chip, and locating the integrated chip in physical adjacency with the substrate thereby to align the multiple waveguides to a respective multiple detectors, and wherein the multiple waveguides and multiple detectors are integrated into a single unit.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method as claimed in claim 35 including locating capillary means in adjacency with the waveguide, passing fluid through the capillary, subjecting the capillary to incident light, and directing the light emanating from the capillary as a result of reaction with the fluid passing through the capillary as the input light to the waveguide.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 43 including analyzing the fluorescence of the fluid passing through the capillary.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as claimed in claim 35 including rejecting light components of a selected wavelength by the first grating region, and wherein such rejected light components eliminate undesirable scattered light by redirecting such light components out of the waveguide, and detecting light components passing through an end of the waveguide remote from the first end.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 35 including locating a sample adjacent to the first end of the waveguide, passing light through the sample and passing light emanating from the sample into the first end of the waveguide.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed in claim 35 including passing the inputted light through a filter grating located downstream from the first end of the waveguide, the filter grating being ahead of the first grating region for redirecting light at predetermined wavelengths.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 35 including redirecting light components at preselected wavelengths from the waveguide, and including detecting the redirected light adjacent to the waveguide.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of guiding light in a waveguide light system comprising: directing light towards a predetermined position along a first waveguide having an embedded grating region, the grating region having a multitude of grating elements constituted by axially successive refractive index variations in the waveguide, and extending at such respective spacings to redirect at least some components of the light reaching the grating elements within the first waveguide; receiving light from the predetermined position through a second waveguide; locating at the predetermined position a target through which the light is directed.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of guiding light in a waveguide light system comprising: directing light towards a predetermined position along a first waveguide having an embedded grating region, the grating region having a multitude of grating elements constituted by axially successive refractive index variations in the waveguide, and extending at such respective spacings to redirect at least some components of the light reaching the grating elements within the first waveguide; receiving light from the predetermined position through a second waveguide; locating at the predetermined position a target through which the light is directed.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 49 wherein the first waveguide and second waveguide are located relatively transverse to each other.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as claimed in claim 49 including locating a capillary tube at the target position, and wherein the capillary tube has an outer diameter and a capillary bore, and wherein the capillary tube is located substantially transverse to the first waveguide and second waveguide.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 51 including reflecting light directed from the first waveguide back through the capillary tube opposite to the second waveguide thereby to facilitate transmission of light along the second waveguide.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of analyzing light including locating multiple elongated waveguides in spaced relationship on a substrate, the waveguides including means at one end for directing light from respective samples through respective waveguides and at least one grating region embedded in at least one waveguide, said grating region having a multitude of grating elements constituted by axially successive refractive index variations extending at such respective spacings to redirect at least some components of the light reaching said grating elements within the waveguide, outputting multiple outputs from the multiple waveguides respectively to multiple detector means for analyzing the multiple outputs from the respective waveguides.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of analyzing light including locating multiple elongated waveguides in spaced relationship on a substrate, the waveguides including means at one end for directing light from respective samples through respective waveguides and at least one grating region embedded in at least one waveguide, said grating region having a multitude of grating elements constituted by axially successive refractive index variations extending at such respective spacings to redirect at least some components of the light reaching said grating elements within the waveguide, outputting multiple outputs from the multiple waveguides respectively to multiple detector means for analyzing the multiple outputs from the respective waveguides.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as claimed in claim 53 including redirecting at least some components of the light travelling in the elongated waveguides traversely from the waveguides and detecting the transversely redirected light components.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 53 including directing light to the respective waveguides firstly through respective capillary means, the capillary means being located in adjacency with a respective waveguides.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 55 including detecting the outputs of the waveguides through a multiple element array detector, the respective elements of the array being for analyzing the light output from a respective waveguide.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as claimed in claim 56 including locating a spectral dispersive imaging means between the detector and the output from the waveguide, the dispersive means being for deflecting different light wavelength bands from the output of the respective waveguide elements.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-24 | 2000-09-23 | 2001-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-24 | 2004-09-23 | 2005-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-24 | 2008-09-23 | 2009-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |