Chemical Identification Device for First Responders

描述(由申请人提供)：在这个第二阶段的项目中，智能光学系统公司(IOS)将制作一种具有成本效益的手持化学检测设备的原型，该设备将使急救人员能够快速准确地识别多种污染物，测量其浓度，并确定场地边界。IOS创新的多元素光学传感器阵列(MOSA)设备将包含一个承载14个化学敏感波导的一次性光学芯片，以及一个大小类似于个人数字助理的光电子和信号处理单元。由于波导宽度约为100微米，芯片的高封装密度将允许以非常低的误警率同时检测多种化学物质。每个波导通道将由高质量的化学渗透性光学聚合物制成，其中包含化学指示剂(传感器染料)，其设计用于在目标分析物存在的情况下经历大而快速的光学变化(例如，光吸收漂移或荧光猝灭)。手持设备将使用先进的半导体光源和探测器系统来监控通过传感器引导的光的变化。虽然每个波导通道将被设计为对一种物质或一类化学品做出反应，但交叉反应产生的错误警报将通过两种独特的方法来解决：第一，使用包含针对潜在交叉污染物的洗涤剂的二次包层；第二，复杂的信号处理，它结合来自所有波导通道的所有波长的光强度(28个信号)，以明确地检测每一种感兴趣的分析物。在最终产品中，将为不同的应用设计具有不同指示器波导板的一次性芯片；这将使通用手持式MOSA仪器几乎可以用于任何化学检测应用，从职业毒素监测到化学释放的“第一反应”。除了演示MOSA读取器的原型之外，这个第二阶段的项目还将展示如何使用电子控制的微型分配器来生产重复性高、可靠性高、价格低廉的多波导光学芯片。这些芯片在包装时将具有较长的保质期，因此可以一次性使用并大量储存。MOSA读数单元和传感器芯片将很容易被行业、合规监测机构、消防部门和危险物质响应小组买得起。商业化计划中提供了最终第二阶段和第三阶段原型的详细成本分析。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In this Phase II project, Intelligent Optical Systems, Inc. (IOS) will prototype a cost-effective handheld chemical detection device that will enable first responders to rapidly and accurately identify multiple contaminants, measure their concentration, and define site boundaries. IOS's innovative multi-element optical sensor array (MOSA) device will incorporate a disposable optical chip bearing 14 chemically sensitive waveguides, and an optoelectronics and signal processing unit similar in size to a personal digital assistant. With waveguide widths on the order of 100 microns, the chip's high packing density will allow multiple chemical substances to be detected simultaneously with very low false alarm rates. Each waveguide channel will be fabricated of high-quality chemically permeable optical polymer containing a chemical indicator (sensor dye) designed to undergo a large and rapid optical change (e.g., optical absorbance shift, or fluorescence quenching) in the presence of a target analyte. The handheld unit will use an advanced system of semiconductor light sources and detectors to monitor changes in the light guided through the sensors. Although each waveguide channel will be designed to respond to a single substance or class of chemicals, false alarms resulting from cross response will be resolved by two distinctive approaches: First, the use of a secondary cladding that contains scrubbing agents against potential cross contaminants; second, sophisticated signal processing that combines the optical intensity at all wavelengths from all waveguide channels (28 signals) to unambiguously detect each analyte of interest. In the final product, disposable chips with different "panels" of indicator waveguides will be designed for different applications; this will allow the universal handheld MOSA instrument to be used in virtually any chemical detection application, from occupational toxin monitoring to chemical release "first response." In addition to demonstrating a prototype MOSA reader, this Phase II project will show how an electronically controlled micro-dispenser can be used to produce multi-waveguide optical chips that are highly reproducible, reliable, and inexpensive. These chips will have a long shelf life when packaged, thus allowing them to be disposable and stored in quantity. MOSA readout units and sensor chips will be easily affordable by industry, compliance monitoring agencies, fire departments, and hazmat response teams. Detailed cost analysis for the final Phase II and Phase III prototype is provided in the commercialization plan.