Arryx, Inc

Osman Akcakir

Christopher R Knutson

Evan Tanner

Haojun Fu

Joseph Plewa

Daniel Mueth

Gary R Stacey

Kenneth Forbes Bradley

Robert Lancelot

Tania Chakrabarty

Dan Mueth

Crystal J Duke

The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for the detection of positional freedom of particles used in biological, biochemical, physical, biophysical, and chemical analyses. In particular, the present invention relates to methods and apparatuses which can detect and characterize a population of particles/cells based upon their detected mobility. In one embodiment consistent with the invention, detection of certain cells is based on differences detected in populations of cells that bind to a substrate and those that exhibit weaker binding forces. Initially, cells are settled on the substrate, and in the presence of gravitational, natural thermodynamic pressure fluctuations, and other random or applied forces, some of the particles may exhibit translational movement. Particle movement is detected, and measurements are computed, according to the methods and apparatuses of the present invention, to determine the binding of specific analytes.

Methods and apparatuses for detection of positional freedom of particles in biological and chemical analyses and applications in immunodiagnostics

Methods and apparatus for analyzing surface properties of particles are provided. A method for analyzing the surface properties of the particle includes a associating a first particle with a first capture zone having a specific binding affinity for a first chemical species, applying an optical force to the first particle, sensing a response of the first particle to the optical force, and using the sensed response to determine the presence, absence or quantity of the first chemical species on the first particle surface. This process may be repeated in parallel to test multiple particles. In addition to directly testing the surface properties of the particles, the method can be used in direct, indirect and competitive assays to determine the presence, absence or quantity of free or immobilized analytes. A fluidic cartridge with capture zones having avidities that are tuned for the use of optical forces is provided. A software routine for performing the method is also provided.

Surface mapping by optical manipulation of particles in relation to a functionalized surface

The present invention utilizes a holographic optical forcing array for dynamic cellular probing and diagnostics. A holographic optical trapping system generates optical forces on objects so that deformations thereof may be quantified. In one embodiment, digital holography is used to generate an interference pattern, and an analysis thereof determines the phase profile which yields a measurement of the objects' shape deformation using only one image. In another embodiment, phase-stepped holography allows the phase profile of an object to be measured using only one image, by using a holographic optical element to make phase-shifted replicas of the beam in space. In another embodiment, the optical forcing array applies optical forces to beads placed on the objects' surface, deforming the objects. The beads' position is determined by applying Mie theory, and analysis thereof yields the three dimensional position of the beads, and a measurement of the deformation displacement on the objects' surface.

Apparatus and method for dynamic cellular probing and diagnostics using holographic optical forcing array

The present invention is related to an apparatus for the sorting of particles in a fluid medium flowing within a liquid-core waveguide, by combining customized light intensity patterns formed inside the waveguide, and diluting the suspension of particles (i.e., cells, blood, nanoparticles, etc.) flowing within the fluid medium of the waveguide. With this customized light intensity pattern, which controls the optical forces introduced by the light confined within the waveguide, and the control of the hydrodynamic forces introduced by the liquid flow (or multiple channel liquid flows), the sorting of particles can be achieved.

Apparatus for optically-based sorting within liquid core waveguides

The present invention utilizes spatially modulated optical force microscopy (SMOFM) with single beam optical force probing capability or with a holographic optical trapping system capable of multi-beam optical force probing coupled to a microscope objective, to generate a probe beam(s) as a force probe to perturb the object that is adhered or resting on a surface, so that deformations of the object may subsequently be quantified. This quantification is performed by imaging a sequence of four phase shifted replicas of the image using a computer-controlled spatial light modulator, and calculating the pixel by pixel optical path-length using existing algorithms. The change in optical path lengths, and consequently the viscoelastic or elastic response elicited, is an indication of damage or disease when the objects are cells. In another embodiment, the optical deformability of the cells may be measured and correlated with measurements of cytoskeletal/structural protein expression.

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Chicago, IL, United States of America

Osman Akcakir