Chemical Identification Device for First Responders

描述（由申请人提供）：在这个第二阶段的项目，智能光学系统公司。(IOS)将开发一种具有成本效益的手持式化学检测设备，使第一响应者能够快速准确地识别多种污染物，测量其浓度，并确定现场边界。IOS的创新性多元件光学传感器阵列（MOSA）设备将包含一个一次性光学芯片，该芯片带有14个化学敏感波导，以及一个大小与个人数字助理相似的光电和信号处理单元。由于波导宽度约为100微米，芯片的高封装密度将允许同时检测多种化学物质，误报率非常低。每个波导通道将由高质量的化学可渗透的光学聚合物制成，该光学聚合物包含被设计为经历大的和快速的光学变化（例如，在目标分析物存在的情况下，光吸收位移或荧光猝灭）。手持装置将使用先进的半导体光源和探测器系统来监测通过传感器引导的光的变化。尽管每个波导通道将被设计为响应于单一物质或化学品类别，但是由交叉响应导致的假警报将通过两种不同的方法来解决：第一，使用包含针对潜在交叉污染物的擦洗剂的二次包层;第二，将来自所有波导通道的所有波长处的光强度组合的复杂信号处理（28个信号），以明确地检测每种感兴趣的分析物。在最终产品中，将针对不同的应用设计具有不同指示波导“面板”的一次性芯片;这将使通用手持式MOSA仪器能够用于几乎任何化学检测应用，从职业毒素监测到化学释放“第一反应”。除了展示MOSA阅读器原型外，该第二阶段项目还将展示如何使用电子控制的微分配器来生产高度可复制、可靠和廉价的多波导光学芯片。这些芯片在包装时将具有较长的保质期，从而允许它们是一次性的并大量储存。MOSA读出单元和传感器芯片将很容易被工业、合规监测机构、消防部门和危险品响应团队所负担。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.