The optics inside an automated single molecule array analyzer

William McGuigan; David R. Fournier; Gary W. Watson; Les Walling; Bill Gigante; David C. Duffy; David M. Rissin; Cheuk W. Kan; Raymond E. Meyer; Tomasz Piech; Matthew W. Fishburn

doi:10.1117/12.2041706

27 February 2014 The optics inside an automated single molecule array analyzer

William McGuigan, David R. Fournier, Gary W. Watson, Les Walling, Bill Gigante, David C. Duffy, David M. Rissin, Cheuk W. Kan, Raymond E. Meyer, Tomasz Piech, Matthew W. Fishburn

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8935, Advanced Biomedical and Clinical Diagnostic Systems XII; 89350X (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2041706
Event: SPIE BiOS, 2014, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Quanterix and Stratec Biomedical have developed an instrument that enables the automated measurement of multiple proteins at concentration ~1000 times lower than existing immunoassays. The instrument is based on Quanterix’s proprietary Single Molecule Array technology (Simoa™ ) that facilitates the detection and quantification of biomarkers previously difficult to measure, thus opening up new applications in life science research and in-vitro diagnostics. Simoa is based on trapping individual beads in arrays of femtoliter-sized wells that, when imaged with sufficient resolution, allows for counting of single molecules associated with each bead. When used to capture and detect proteins, this approach is known as digital ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The platform developed is a merger of many science and engineering disciplines. This paper concentrates on the optical technologies that have enabled the development of a fully-automated single molecule analyzer. At the core of the system is a custom, wide field-of-view, fluorescence microscope that images arrays of microwells containing single molecules bound to magnetic beads. A consumable disc containing 24 microstructure arrays was developed previously in collaboration with Sony DADC. The system cadence requirements, array dimensions, and requirement to detect single molecules presented significant optical challenges. Specifically, the wide field-of-view needed to image the entire array resulted in the need for a custom objective lens. Additionally, cost considerations for the system required a custom solution that leveraged the image processing capabilities. This paper will discuss the design considerations and resultant optical architecture that has enabled the development of an automated digital ELISA platform.

Citation Download Citation

William McGuigan, David R. Fournier, Gary W. Watson, Les Walling, Bill Gigante, David C. Duffy, David M. Rissin, Cheuk W. Kan, Raymond E. Meyer, Tomasz Piech, and Matthew W. Fishburn "The optics inside an automated single molecule array analyzer", Proc. SPIE 8935, Advanced Biomedical and Clinical Diagnostic Systems XII, 89350X (27 February 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2041706

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available