Patent ID: 6731827
Filing Date: 2004-05-04
Classification: A01N,C08K,G01N,G02B

Abstract:
An optical biosensor, comprising:a fiber-optic coupler incorporating at least two optical fibers, each fiber having an input and an output; a source of light having a polarization orientation coupled to at least one of the inputs; the coupler including a necked-down section around which an evanescent field is generated when the light passes through with the polarization orientation being substantially maintained; a biomolecule enveloped by the evanescent field, the biomolecule exhibiting a direct or indirect affinity to a binding partner, such that attachment of the binding partner causes a change in the polarization orientation of the light at one or both of the fiber outputs; and instrumentation for receiving the light from the fiber outputs and for determining a characteristic of the binding partner in accordance with the change in the magnitude and polarization orientation.