We introduce a novel and cost-effective capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) system utilizing disposable pen-shaped gelcartridges for highly efficient, high speed, high throughput fluorescence detection of bio-molecules. The CGE system has been integrated with dual excitation and emission optical-fibers with micro-ball end design for fluorescence detection of bio-molecules separated and detected in a disposable pen-shaped capillary gel electrophoresis cartridge. The high-performance capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) analyzer has been optimized for glycoprotein analysis type applications. Using commercially available labeling agent such as ANTS (8-aminonapthalene-1,3,6- trisulfonate) as an indicator, the capillary gel electrophoresis-based glycan analyzer provides high detection sensitivity and high resolving power in 2-5 minutes of separations. The system can hold total of 96 samples, which can be automatically analyzed within 4-5 hours. This affordable fiber optic based fluorescence detection system provides fast run times (4 minutes vs. 20 minutes with other CE systems), provides improved peak resolution, good linear dynamic range and reproducible migration times, that can be used in laboratories for high speed glycan (N-glycan) profiling applications. The CGE-based glycan analyzer will significantly increase the pace at which glycoprotein research is performed in the labs, saving hours of preparation time and assuring accurate, consistent and economical results.
We have successfully demonstrated the development of a compact and cost-effective parallel multi-channel capillary electrophoresis system for bio-molecules analysis. The automated process includes a buffer/gel replenishment mechanism, high voltage control of fluidics and an automated sample tray transport capability. The bio-separation/analysis occurs in a disposable cartridge containing multi-column capillaries with integrated excitation optical fibers, detection micro-optics and a buffer reservoir common to all separation channels. Tests of this fully integrated system indicate, that large quantities of biological samples can be analyzed automatically in a short period with highly sensitive fluorescence detection.
In this paper we present the innovative use of an inexpensive Multi-Channel Capillary-based Electrophoresis (MCCE) system in combination with disposable separation cartridge for routine analysis of DNA fragments. The proposed multi-channel system s base don a novel multiplexed fluorescence detection technology, which provides a rapid and unique solution for DNA analysis. Presently the Capillary Electrophoresis (CE) based technology used for DNA analysis, rely on gas discharge UV-visible lamps or lasers as light sources that are bulky, expensive, and difficult to couple one's light output into optical fibers, for miniaturization of the optical detection system. The light sources hinder the development of small sized, high- throughput and cost-effective genomics instrument. Whereas, the proposed instrument with solid-state light sources and non-moving detection micro-optics, and re-usable cartridge containing multiple separation channels, provide a cost- effective solution for a robust CE instrument. Furthermore, the simplified operation of the MCCE instrument will drastically reduce the cost of DNA analysis, and possibly will be the instrument of choice for forensic DNA and molecular diagnostics applications in the near future.
Most catheter based oximeters use optical fiber to deliver two M more colors of light to the blood and collect the
reflected lights with another optical fiber. Oxygen saturation of the blood is calculated from intensity of the returned
lights. The coupling efficiency of this type of two-fiber sensor depends on the separation of fibers, the numerical aperture
(NA) of the fibers, and the launching condition of lights from LED's to the transmission fiber. A micro-optical integrator
was designed to combine outputs from two LED's into a multimode step-index fiber pig-tail through a high NA microball
lens. The mismatch in the modes of propagation between red and IR lights was corrected by looping and sine-wave
bending the fiber before it was coupled to an NA limiting GRIN lens, which also serves as an exit window. A far-field
scan of two lights shows these two lights have spatial overlap of 92% or better. The overlap at the tip of the catheter,
after it was coupled to the mode mixing pig-tail, is better than 98%. The addition of this simple method of mode-mixing
has improved the overlap by nearly 30% and has substantially improved the accuracy of the oximeter, especially when in
vitro calibration is used before taking the measurement in blood.
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