Introduction

This invention describes, for the first time, the use of innovative organic optoelectronic devices and photonic crystals to prepare a detecting light apparatus for plate readers, for the in-vitro detection of bacteria or virus in biological samples. The proposed apparatus allows to produce compact and simple systems, with short optical path, and less prone to optical losses and measurement errors.

Technical features

In this system we use organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) as light source, photonic crystals (PCs) select specific wavelengths to irradiate the biological samples, and organic photodiodes (OPDs) reveal and analyze the light passing through a sample. The proposed system solves the problem of using an interference filter for the selection of wavelengths and  of integrating the light source with a wavelength selector. Interestingly, it has been shown that eventually both the source and the wavelength selection could be realized on a single substrate. The system minimizes optical losses and avoids possible measurement errors. Furthermore, it ensures greater applicability in complex systems with the possibility of creating a completely organic-based structure, also guaranteeing the possibility of making low-cost, flexible and disposable chips.

Possible Applications

• Analysis in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or enzyme linked fluorescent assay (ELFA);
• Realization of spectrometric or spectrophotometric stations;
• Integration in complex optical systems in which the selection and reading of single wavelengths is envisaged.

Advantages

• More integrability, the source and the wavelength selection could be realized on a single substrate;
• reduces the optical path;
• Minimizes optical losses;
• Reduces measurement errors;
• Guarantees the possibility of making low-cost, flexible and disposable chips.