WO2008069554A1

WO2008069554A1 - Biochip reader

Info

Publication number: WO2008069554A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/006257
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dae-Sik Lee; Mi-Jin Sohn; Kwang-Hyo Chung; Hyeon-Bong Pyo; Seon-Hee Park
Original assignee: Electronics And Telecommunications Research Institute
Priority date: 2006-12-05
Filing date: 2007-12-04
Publication date: 2008-06-12

Abstract

Provided is a biochip reader which can analyze an optical detection result obtained from a biochip or strip chip, and transmit and receive the analysis result in a bio-microelectromechanical system (bio-MEMS) field. The reader for reading a target chip inserted thereinto includes: a light emitter including a three-color light emitting elements; a light receiver configured to receive light generated in the light emitter, reflected or refracted by the target chip, or transmitted through the target chip, and convert the received light into an electric signal; an analyzer configured to drive the light emitter in a switching manner when the target chip is inserted, and analyze the electric signal transmitted from the light emitter; a storage unit configured to store a program to be executed by the analyzer and temporarily store an analysis result outputted from the analyzer; and a display unit configured to display the analysis result.

Description

DESCRIPTION

BIOCHIP READER

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a biochip reader; and, more particularly, to a biochip reader which can analyze an optical detection result obtained from a biochip or strip chip, and transmit and receive the analysis result in a bio-microelectromechanical system (bio-MEMS) field.

This work was supported by the IT R&D program of MIC/IITA [2006-S-007-01, "Ubiquitous Health Monitoring Module and System Development"].

BACKGROUND ART

One of typical strip chips is a strip chip for detecting pregnancy or ovulation of a woman. Since the strip chip displays the detection result, a user can visually detect pregnancy or ovulation. The user can use the strip chip conveniently without separate auxiliary devices. However, a strip chip using a porous sheet such as nitrocellulose has a disadvantage in that its accuracy may be low because it has a detection range where it is difficult to visually verify a color pattern outputted as the detection result. In addition, since there are no methods that can store the pattern so as to use the test result, there is a limitation in the application of the strip chip.

As another example, a reader is a device that reads an optical pattern result anaLyzed using a strip chip that can transmit light such visible rays.

There are many documents disclosing a strip chip having a strip sheet capable of transmitting light, a transparent type light-detection reader to directly or indirectly detect a detectable material within a detection zone, and an analyzer used together with the reader. Such a reader can analyze the chip more accurately than a visual inspection. However, when reading a weak pattern, the accuracy is lowered due to the refraction of light. The reader is used in yes or no type analysis. The reader needs a separate device to store or transmit the analysis.

In recent years, there is an increasing demand for new analysis and readers that can inspect and monitor health states of general persons anytime and anywhere. Also, there is an increasing demand for methods that can overcome the limitations of the related art.

To this end, readers using a light emitter, a light receiver, and a microprocessor have been proposed. These conventional readers use a single white light source as the light emitting element. In this case, since a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is high, the detection accuracy is lowered around a detection threshold value when the microprocessor analyzes the detected signal.

DISCLOSURE TECHNICAL PROBLEM

An embodiment of the present invention is directed to providing a reader can obtain a more accurate optical detection result from a biochip or strip chip by using a three-color light source in a bio-MEMS field.

Another embodiment of the present invention is directed to providing a biochip reader that can transmit an analysis result to a remote place anytime and anywhere or receive data.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood by the following description, and become apparent with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. Also, it is obvious to those skilled in the art of the present invention that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means as claimed and combinations thereof,

TECHNICAL SOLUTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus a reader for reading a target chip inserted thereinto, the reader including: a light emitter including a three-color light emitting elements; a light receiver configured to receive light generated in the light emitter, reflected or refracted by the target chip, or transmitted through the target chip, and convert the received light into an electric signal; an analyzer configured to drive the light emitter in a switching manner when the target chip is inserted, and analyze the electric signal transmitted from the light emitter; a storage unit configured to store a program to be executed by the analyzer and temporarily store an analysis result outputted from the analyzer; and a display unit configured to display the analysis result.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reader for reading a target chip inserted thereinto, the reader including: a light emitter including a three-color light emitting element; a light receiver configured to receive light that is generated in the light emitter, reflected or refracted by the target chip, or transmitted through the target chip, and convert the received light into an electric signal; an analyzer configured to drive the light emitter in a switching manner when the target chip is inserted, and analyze the electric signal transmitted from the light emitter; a storage unit configured to store a program to be executed by the analyzer and temporarily store an analysis result outputted from the analyzer; a display unit configured to display the analysis result; a communicat Lon module configured to transmit the analysis result to a remote terminal; and a sidewall installed between the light emitter and the light receiver to prevent interference caused by the light generated from the light emitter.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS A reader in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention can provide a more precise detection result by analyzing reflected color and light intensity using a three-color light source. Furthermore, by using an RFID chip and a wireless communication module, the reader can store the analysis result anytime and anywhere and transmit it to a desired place in real time. The reader can be widely used by specialists or general persons in emergency rooms, private hospital offices, and homes .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a reader in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates a structure of the reader in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 illustrates a light emitter and a ] ight receiver in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention .

BEST MODE FOR THE INVENTION

The advantages, features and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, which is set forth hereinafter. Therefore, those skilled in the field of this art of the present invention can embody the technological concept and scope of the invention easily. In addition, if it is considered that detailed description on a related art may obscure the points of the present invention, the detailed description will not be provided herein. The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the attached drawings .

A reader in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can provide a more accurate analysis result of a biochip or strip chip than the visual test and can transmit the analysis result to a terminal of a hospital or doctor. Therefore, the detected optical information of the biochip can be quantitatively or qualitatively analyzed rapidly and accurately, and the user can know the analysis result simply. Furthermore, since the reader can transmit the private medical information to a terminal of a specific hospital or doctor in combination with a wireless communication module, health care can be easily carried out in future ubiquitous environment. Examples of target biomaterials of the biochip may include a cancer related biomarker, a pregnancy or ovulation related hormone, body fluids such as blood representing personal health state, pathogenic virus such as Avian influenza, and additive drugs.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a reader in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a detailed diagram illustrating a structure of the reader in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, the biochip reader includes a light emitter 101, a light receiver 102, an amplifier 103, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 104, a micro control unit (MCU) 105, a memory 106, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 107. The light emitter 101 is implemented with three-color light sources, and the light receiver 102 receives light that is generated from the light emitter 101 and then reflected or refracted by or transmitted through a biochip. The amplifier 103 amplifies an electric signal received by the light receiver 102. The ADC 104 converts the amplified signal into a digital signal. The MCU 105 analyzes the digital signal outputted from the ADC 104. The memory 106 stores a program to be executed by the MCU 105, and temporarily stores data read by the MCU 105. The LCD 107 serves as a display unit for displaying the analysis information outputted from the MCU 105.

In addition, the biochip reader in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention may further include a communication module 108 and a fluid control module. The communication module 108 transmits the result read by the MCU 105 to a remote place. The fluid control module moves, stops and mix microfluid for efficient analysis within the biochip. A sidewall 202 may be installed between the light emitter 101 and the light receiver 102 to efficiently perform the light detection .

Referring to Fig. 3, the light emitter 101 of the biochip reader includes a combination of red, green and blue light emitting diodes (LEDs) .

When a single white light source is used, a signal- to-noise ratio (SNR) is high and a detection accuracy is lowered around a detection threshold value when the MCU 105 analyzes light received by the light receiver. To solve these problems, the light emitter 101 is implemented with a combination of the three-color light sources 301 to 303. In this manner, the SNR can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, when a light- receiving diode or transistor suitable for each wavelength is used, the wavelength and brightness can be analyzed simultaneously. Thus, the precision is improved and the analysis result of the biochip 201 can be read with more accurate representation. The three-color LE]Ds of the light emitter 101 can be controlled discontmuously in a switching manner.

The light receiver 102 may include a typical silicon sensor component such as a silicon photodiode or a phototπode. By arranging sensors in an array form, the sensitivity and easy installation of the biochip can be ensured.

Due to the sidewall 202 installed between the light emitter 101 and the light receiver 102, light emitted from the light emitter 101 is prevented from being directly transferred to the light receiver 102, thereby improving the accuracy of the light detection.

In addition, the biochip reader includes the fluid control module for moving, stopping and mixing microfluid for efficient analysis within the biochip. The fluid control module includes a fluid passage through which a solution such as a buffer, body fluids, or blood, can be moved, mixed and stopped for easy analysis of bio-samp]e. The fluid control module includes a storage tank 203 for storing fluid, a pump 204 for delivering the fluid, a valve 205 for controlling the delivery of the fluid, and a fluid control mixer 206. A variety of driving methods, e.g., an electrostatic motor, a piezoelectric pump, a hydraulic or pneumatic pressure, or an ultrasonic wave, can be used for moving, stopping and mixing the fluid.

The process of installing the strip chip or biochip 201 in the reader will be described below.

The strip chip or biochip 201 is inserted using a lever having an elastic member, e.g., spring, which is installed m the reader. When the strip chip or biochip 201 reaches a predetermined location, it is fit into a groove formed in the lever. A chip fitting structure is installed above the biochip and is connected to the spring of the reader. Due to the chip fitting structure, the biochip can be analyzed without external shock or shaking . In addition, a detachable lever is installed for easy detachment or attachment of the biochip. The detachable lever is connected to a tilting spring. Furthermore, a top case and a bottom case can be forcibly assembled using a clip-like additional structure, or can be assembled by forming a protrusion in one of the two cases and a groove in the other. When assembling the top case and the bottom case, an elastic polymer layer may be further added on a contact surface in order to prevent the formation of a fine gap. The attachable and detachable structure of the reader and the biochip is mere Ly one example and can be easily made by those skilled in the art and therefore its detailed description will be omitted.

The reader may include a mobile communication modem as the communication, which can communicate with a mobile communication network in a wireless manner. In this case, the MCU 105 creates the analysis result in a specific data format and transmits it to the mobile communication modem. The mobile communication modem transmits the analysis result to a remote terminal selected by the user through a wireless data communication.

The reader may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip as the communication module. In this case, the MCU 105 recoids the analysis result in the RFID chip. When the user intends to transmit the analysis result to the remote terminal, a cable/wireless terminal with an RFID reader reads the analysis result from the RFID chip and transmits it to the remote terminal . The operation of the reader having the above- described structure will be described below.

When the biochip 201 is inserted into the reader, the switch is turned on and a biochip insertion signal is inputted to the MCU 105. The MCU 105 determines that the biochip 201 is inserted into the reader, and supplies power for driving the light emitter 101 implemented with the three-color LEDs. At this point, the MCU 105 supplies power to the three-color LEDs discontinuously in a switching manner. Light is outputted from the light emitter 101 and reflected or refracted by or transmitted through the biochip 201, and then received by the light receiver 102. The light receiver 102 converts the received optical signal into an electric signal. The amplifier 103 amplifies electrical signal outputted from the light receiver 102, and the ADC 104 converts the amplified signal into a digital signal and transmits it to the MCU 105. The MCU 105 analyzes the digital signal, and the analysis result is displayed on the LCD 107. The MCU 105 can record the analysis result in the RFID chip or transmit it to the remote terminal through the mobile communication modem.

While the present invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A reader for reading a target chip inserted thereinto, the reader comprising: a light emitter including a three-color light emitting elements; a light receiver configured to receive light generated in the light emitter, reflected or refracted by the target chip, or transmitted through the target chip, and convert the received light into an electric signal; an analyzer configured to drive the light emitter in a switching manner when the target chip is inserted, and analyze the electric signal transmitted from the light emitter; a storage unit configured to store a program to be executed by the analyzer and temporarily store an analysis result outputted from the analyzer; and a display unit configured to display the analysis result .

2. The reader of claim 1, further comprising: a communication module configured to transmit the analysis result to a remote terminal.

3. The reader of claim 2, wherein the light emitter includes a combination of a red diode, a green diode, and a blue diode, and the analyzer controls the red diode, the green diode, and the blue diode discontinuously in a switching manner.

4. The reader of claim 3, wherein the light emitter further includes: a light source between a detector and a controller to correct an amount of light emission.

5. The reader of claim 3, wherein the communication module includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip connected to the analyzer.

6. The reader of claim 4, wherein the analyzer records the analysis result in the RFID chip.

7. The reader of claim 3, wherein the communication module includes a mobile communication modem configured to communicate with the analyzer and transmit the analysis result to the remote terminal through a mobile communication network.

8. A reader for reading a target chip inserted thereinto, the reader comprising: a light emitter including a three-color light emitting element; a light receiver configured to receive light that is generated in the light emitter, reflected or refracted by the target chip, or transmitted through the target chip, and convert the received light Lnto an electric signal; an analyzer configured to drive the light emitter in a switching manner when the target chip is inserted, and analyze the electric signal transmitted from the light emitter; a storage unit configured to store a program to be executed by the analyzer and temporarily store an analysis result outputted from the analyzer; a display unit configured to display the analysis result; a communication module configured to transmit the analysis result to a remote terminal; and a sidewall installed between the light emitter and the light receiver to prevent interference caused by the light generated from the light emitter.

9. The reader of claim 8, wherein the light emitter includes a combination of a red diode, a green diode, and a blue diode, and the analyzer controls the red diode, the green diode, and the blue diode discontinuously in a switching manner.

10. The reader of claim 9, wherein the communication module includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip connected to the analyzer.

11. The reader of claim 10, wherein the analyzer records the analysis result in the RFID chip.

12. The reader of claim 9, wherein the communication module includes a mobile communication modem configured to communicate with the analyzer and transmit the analysis result to the remote terminal through a mobile communication network.

13. The reader of claim 8, further comprising: a fluid control module configured to move, stop and mix microfluid for efficient analysis within the target chip .

14. The reader of claim 13, wherein the fluid control module includes : a storage tank configured to store fluid; a pump configured to transfer the fluid; a valve configured to control the transfer of the fluid; and a fluid control mixer.