The disclosure provides microstructured articles and methods useful for detecting an analyte in a sample. The articles include microwell arrays. The articles can be used with an optical system component in methods to detect or characterize an analyte.

An optofluidic diagnostic system and methods for rapid analyte detections. The system comprises an optofluidic sensor array, a test plate and an optical detection cartridge. The sensor array supports one or more distinct sensor units, each having a reactor section designed to temporarily enter a series of different kinds of wells in the test plate. One kind of well is a sample reservoir that holds reagent solution to be transferred into the reactor section. Another kind of well is a drainage chamber that removes reagent solution from the reactor section. A third kind of well is a colorant reservoir that holds a colorant reagent transferable into a reactor section. Finally, the sensor unit is transferred to the optical detection cartridge where it is placed into an isolation booth during the optical detection process so that its flat observation face is stationed in a viewing window opposite an optical detector lens.

The method of analyzing absorbance of one or more liquid samples arranged in the wells of a microplate includes the steps of setting a desired wavelength falling within the wavelength range of 380 nm-750 nm for absorbance measurement, illuminating the samples using electromagnetic radiation having a bandwidth of at most 20 nm around the set wavelength, measuring radiant flux transmitted through each sample, on the basis of measured radiant flux values, determining an absorbance value for each sample, and visualizing the absorbance values on a display as a matrix comprising a plurality of cells, each cell corresponding to a well of the microplate. The set wavelength is used as an input for determining the visual properties of the cells.

The inventions provide microscopes for imaging samples within wells of multi-well plates. Microscopes of the disclosure include a beam homogenizer system that shapes a beam from a light source into a shape specific to the bottom of a well of a multi-well plate. In particular, microscopes of the disclosure can illuminate wells for imaging by passing light through a prism that is beneath the sample. The light enters the prism from the side and as refracted into the well at a steep angle such that the light only illuminates about a bottom ten microns of the well. The beam homogenizer shapes the light from the light source so that, instead of hitting the prism as a spot with an irregular shape, the light enters the prism in a substantially rectangular pattern with homogeneous optical power level over the pattern.

Apparatus and methods for analyzing single molecule and performing nucleic acid sequencing. An apparatus can include an assay chip that includes multiple pixels with sample wells configured to receive a sample, which, when excited, emits emission energy; at least one element for directing the emission energy in a particular direction; and a light path along which the emission energy travels from the sample well toward a sensor. The apparatus also includes an instrument that interfaces with the assay chip. The instrument includes an excitation light source for exciting the sample in each sample well; a plurality of sensors corresponding the sample wells. Each sensor may detect emission energy from a sample in a respective sample well. The instrument includes at least one optical element that directs the emission energy from each sample well towards a respective sensor of the plurality of sensors.

An optofluidic diagnostic system and methods for rapid analyte detections. The system comprises an optofluidic sensor array, a test plate and an optical detection cartridge. The sensor array supports one or more distinct sensor units, each having a reactor section designed to temporarily enter a series of different kinds of wells in the test plate. One kind of well is a sample reservoir that holds reagent solution to be transferred into the reactor section. Another kind of well is a drainage chamber that removes reagent solution from the reactor section. A third kind of well is a colorant reservoir that holds a colorant reagent transferable into a reactor section. Finally, the sensor unit is transferred to the optical detection cartridge where it is placed into an isolation booth during the optical detection process so that its flat observation face is stationed in a viewing window opposite an optical detector lens.

Apparatus and methods for analyzing single molecules and performing nucleic acid sequencing. An apparatus can include an assay chip that includes multiple pixels with sample wells configured to receive a sample, which, when excited, emits emission energy; at least one element for directing the emission energy in a particular direction; and a light path along which the emission energy travels from the sample well toward a sensor. The apparatus also includes an instrument that interfaces with the assay chip. The instrument includes an excitation light source for exciting the sample in each sample well; a plurality of sensors corresponding the sample wells. Each sensor may detect emission energy from a sample in a respective sample well. The instrument includes at least one optical element that directs the emission energy from each sample well towards a respective sensor of the plurality of sensors.

To reduce optical noise in fluorescence measurement. A biochip 110 for fluorescence measurement includes a transparent substrate 111, multiple microlenses 112 dispersively formed on a first surface 111a of the transparent substrate 111, multiple protruding portions 113 formed corresponding one-to-one with the microlenses 112 on a second surface 111b of the transparent substrate 111, and a fluorescence measurement site 114 formed at a top portion of each protruding portion 113.

The method of analyzing absorbance of one or more liquid samples arranged in the wells of a microplate includes the steps of setting a desired wavelength falling within the wavelength range of 380 nm-750 nm for absorbance measurement, illuminating the samples using electromagnetic radiation having a bandwidth of at most 20 nm around the set wavelength, measuring radiant flux transmitted through each sample, on the basis of measured radiant flux values, determining an absorbance value for each sample, and visualizing the absorbance values on a display as a matrix comprising a plurality of cells, each cell corresponding to a well of the microplate. The set wavelength is used as an input for determining the visual properties of the cells.

To reduce optical noise in fluorescence measurement. A biochip 110 for fluorescence measurement includes a transparent substrate 111, multiple microlenses 112 dispersively formed on a first surface 111a of the transparent substrate 111, multiple protruding portions 113 formed corresponding one-to-one with the microlenses 112 on a second surface 111b of the transparent substrate 111, and a fluorescence measurement site 114 formed at a top portion of each protruding portion 113.