Patent ID: 8187541
Filing Date: 2012-05-29
Classification: B01L,B81C,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for analysis of a sample, comprising: a microfluidic chip containing dies, wherein the microfluidic chip comprises: a piston configured to apply pressure to the second chamber by mechanically pushing down on the microfluidic chip, wherein the second chamber transfers some or all of the pressure applied by the piston to the first chamber; a light source to emit light for illumination of the microfluidic chip, wherein the light source is modulated and thus emits modulated light; a first optical filter placed between the light source and the microfluidic chip; a second optical filter; and a detector to detect the light passing through the second optical filter, the second optical filter being placed between the light source and the detector, wherein the detector comprises a passive or an active CMOS or CCD array, and a lock-in amplifier, the lock-in amplifier being at least partially distributed along the CMOS or CCD array, wherein the lock-in amplifier comprises switched capacitance circuits and switches, wherein presence of target molecules in the sample activates and/or immobilizes a die at a position detectable by the detector, the second optical filter allows passage of the light from the dies once activated and/or immobilized by the presence of the target molecules, and the first optical filter prevents passage of said light.