Abstract: A screening system and method are described herein which provide a unique and practical solution for enabling label-free high throughput screening (HTS) to aid in the discovery of new drugs. In one embodiment, the screening system enables direct binding assays to be performed in which a biomolecular interaction of a chemical compound (drug candidate) with a biomolecule (therapeutic target) can be detected using assay volumes and concentrations that are compatible with the current practices of HTS in the pharmaceutical industry. The screening system also enables the detection of bio-chemical interactions that occur in the wells of a microplate which incorporates biosensors and surface chemistry to immobilize the therapeutic target at the surface of the biosensors. The screening system also includes fluid handling and plate handling devices to help perform automated HTS assays.

Abstract: A screening system and method are described herein which provide a unique and practical solution for enabling label-free high throughput screening (HTS) to aid in the discovery of new drugs. In one embodiment, the screening system enables direct binding assays to be performed in which a biomolecular interaction of a chemical compound (drug candidate) with a biomolecule (therapeutic target) can be detected using assay volumes and concentrations that are compatible with the current practices of HTS in the pharmaceutical industry. The screening system also enables the detection of bio-chemical interactions that occur in the wells of a microplate which incorporates biosensors and surface chemistry to immobilize the therapeutic target at the surface of the biosensors. The screening system also includes fluid handling and plate handling devices to help perform automated HTS assays.

Abstract: A multi-channel swept wavelength optical interrogation system and a method are described herein that enable the interrogation of one or more biosensors which for example could be located within the wells of a microplate. In one embodiment, the optical interrogation system comprises: (a) a tunable laser that emits an optical beam which has a predetermined sequence of distinct wavelengths over a predetermined time period; (b) a distribution unit that splits the optical beam into a plurality of interrogation beams; (c) an array of optical interrogation units that receive and direct the interrogation beams towards an array of biosensors; (d) the array of optical interrogation units receive a plurality of reflected interrogation beams from the array of biosensors; (e) a data processing device that receives and processes information associated with the reflected interrogation beams to determine for example whether or not there was a biochemical interaction on anyone of the biosensors.

Abstract: An optical interrogation system and a method are described herein that enable the interrogation of one or more biosensors which can be located within the wells of a microplate. In one embodiment, the optical interrogation system has a tunable laser, N-fiber launches, N-lenses and N-detectors that are set-up to interrogate N-biosensors. In another embodiment, the optical interrogation system has a tunable laser, N-fiber launches, N+1 lenses and N-detectors that are set-up to interrogate N-biosensors.

Abstract: A multi-channel swept wavelength optical interrogation system and a method are described herein that enable the interrogation of one or more biosensors which for example could be located within the wells of a microplate. In one embodiment, the optical interrogation system comprises: (a) a tunable laser that emits an optical beam which has a predetermined sequence of distinct wavelengths over a predetermined time period; (b) a distribution unit that splits the optical beam into a plurality of interrogation beams; (c) an array of optical interrogation units that receive and direct the interrogation beams towards an array of biosensors; (d) the array of optical interrogation units receive a plurality of reflected interrogation beams from the array of biosensors; (e) a data processing device that receives and processes information associated with the reflected interrogation beams to determine for example whether or not there was a biochemical interaction on anyone of the biosensors.

Abstract: A screening system and method are described herein which provide a unique and practical solution for enabling label-free high throughput screening (HTS) to aid in the discovery of new drugs. In one embodiment, the screening system enables direct binding assays to be performed in which a biomolecular interaction of a chemical compound (drug candidate) with a biomolecule (therapeutic target) can be detected using assay volumes and concentrations that are compatible with the current practices of HTS in the pharmaceutical industry. The screening system also enables the detection of bio-chemical interactions that occur in the wells of a microplate which incorporates biosensors and surface chemistry to immobilize the therapeutic target at the surface of the biosensors. The screening system also includes fluid handling and plate handling devices to help perform automated HTS assays.

Abstract: An optical interrogation system and a method are described herein that enable the interrogation of one or more biosensors which can be located within the wells of a microplate. In one embodiment, the optical interrogation system has a tunable laser, N-fiber launches, N-lenses and N-detectors that are set-up to interrogate N-biosensors. In another embodiment, the optical interrogation system has a tunable laser, N-fiber launches, N+1 lenses and N-detectors that are set-up to interrogate N-biosensors.

Abstract: An optical interrogation system and a method are described herein that enable the interrogation of one or more biosensors which can be located within the wells of a microplate. In one embodiment, the optical interrogation system has a tunable laser, N-fiber launches, N-lenses and N-detectors that are set-up to interrogate N-biosensors. In another embodiment, the optical interrogation system has a tunable laser, N-fiber launches, N+1 lenses and N-detectors that are set-up to interrogate N-biosensors.

Abstract: A method is described herein that can use any one of a number of deposition techniques to create a reference region and a sample region on a single biosensor which in the preferred embodiment is located within a single well of a microplate. The deposition techniques that can be used to help create the reference region and the sample region on a surface of the biosensor include: (1) the printing/stamping of a deactivating agent on a reactive surface of the biosensor; (2) the printing/stamping of a target molecule (target protein) on a reactive surface of the biosensor; or (3) the printing/stamping of a reactive agent on an otherwise unreactive surface of the biosensor.

Abstract: Optical interrogation systems and methods are described herein that are capable of measuring the angles (or changes in the angles) at which light reflects, transmits, scatters, or is emitted from an array of sensors or specimens that are distributed over a large area 2-dimensional array.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for forming convex and concave elements on the ends of supporting members. A convex element may be formed by forming a droplet on the end of the supporting member, then curing the droplet. The size of the droplet may be controlled using evaporation of a solvent from the droplet. In another aspect of the invention, an optical element may be formed by forming a droplet on the end of the supporting member, contacting the droplet with a mold, and curing the droplet, thereby forming an element with a curvature opposite that of the mold. When the supporting member is an optical fiber, the elements formed by the methods of the present invention are useful as lenses and mirrors in micro-optic devices.

Abstract: An optical interrogation system and method are described herein that are capable of generating light beams that have desired optical properties which are directed towards a specimen array. In one embodiment, the optical interrogation system includes a light source, a diffractive element and a collimating optic (e.g., simple lens(es), f-? lens(es), segmented mirror, fiber array). The light source emits a light beam to the diffractive optic which receives the light beam and outputs an array of light beams to the collimating optic. The collimating optic receives and conditions the light beams emitted from the diffractive optic and then outputs the conditioned light beams which have desired optical properties towards a specimen array. Several other embodiments of the optical interrogation system are also described herein.

Abstract: A grating-coupled waveguide (GCW) and a method are described herein that can be used to detect the presence of a biological substance (e.g., cell, drug, chemical compound) in a sensing region of the GCW. The GCW includes a substrate, a diffraction grating and a waveguide film that has a higher index of refraction than the substrate which has an index of refraction?1.5. The relatively low-index substrate effectively increases the sensitivity of the GCW by causing the waveguide mode to shift towards a biological substance located in a sensing region above the waveguide film, thereby increasing the field strength of the mode's evanescent tail in this region. In one embodiment, an array of the GCWs are incorporated within the wells of a microplate.

Abstract: Articles and methods for positioning lensed fiber elements and optical devices are disclosed. The articles and methods include a lens gripping element and a fiber gripping element disposed on a planar substrate. The articles and methods are useful for manufacturing optical fiber and lens arrays and waveguide devices.

Abstract: An optical interrogation system and method are described herein that are capable of generating light beams that have desired optical properties which are directed towards a specimen array. In one embodiment, the optical interrogation system includes a light source, a diffractive element and a collimating optic (e.g., simple lens(es), f-&thgr; lens(es), segmented mirror, fiber array). The light source emits a light beam to the diffractive optic which receives the light beam and outputs an array of light beams to the collimating optic. The collimating optic receives and conditions the light beams emitted from the diffractive optic and then outputs the conditioned light beams which have desired optical properties towards a specimen array. Several other embodiments of the optical interrogation system are also described herein.

Abstract: Articles and methods for manufacturing pigtailed planar optical devices are disclosed. The articles and methods include providing a tool including a substrate having a stepped region. The tool is capable of forming elements such as grippers or waveguides on a device substrate having different heights.

Abstract: Articles and methods for manufacturing pigtailed planar optical devices are disclosed. The articles and methods include providing a tool including a substrate having a stepped region. The tool is capable of forming elements such as grippers or waveguides on a device substrate having different heights.

Abstract: Articles and methods for providing stacked arrays of optical fibers are disclosed. The articles and methods include providing arrays of gripping elements that provide arrays of channels adapted to secure optical fibers to a substrate surface. The articles and methods are useful for making stacked arrays of optical fibers and manufacturing optical devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for forming convex and concave elements on the ends of supporting members. A convex element may be formed by forming a droplet on the end of the supporting member, then curing the droplet. The size of the droplet may be controlled using evaporation of a solvent from the droplet. In another aspect of the invention, an optical element may be formed by forming a droplet on the end of the supporting member, contacting the droplet with a mold, and curing the droplet, thereby forming an element with a curvature opposite that of the mold. When the supporting member is an optical fiber, the elements formed by the methods of the present invention are useful as lenses and mirrors in micro-optic devices.

Abstract: Articles and methods for positioning lensed fiber elements and optical devices are disclosed. The articles and methods include a lens gripping element and a fiber gripping element disposed on a planar substrate. The articles and methods are useful for manufacturing optical fiber and lens arrays and waveguide devices.