DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an optical module for broadband wavelength separation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Currently used photometry technologies in biochemistry analyzers are either filter wheel based optical modules or grating based optical modules.
[0003] Even though the filter wheel-based technology is cost-effective, the system is very bulky due to moving parts, which causes noise and can also display inaccurate results.
[0004] Further, the grating-based optical module shows better results compared to the filter wheel-based technology, however this system requires precise placement of optical components to yield better results, this in turn becomes a cumbersome exercise during manufacturing of the optical module and therefore is not economical.
[0005] In view of the above, there is a dire requirement of an efficient, compact and economical optical module which solves at least the above indicated problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provides an optical module used for analysis of biochemistry samples which utilizes the photometric principle.
[0007] In one aspect of the present invention an optical module is disclosed. The optical module includes a lighting unit adapted to emit at least one light beam. Further, the optical module includes a beam splitting unit, having a plurality of beam splitters arranged consecutively in line with the lighting unit, adapted to spilt the light beam emitted from the one or more light sources of the lighting unit into a transmitted light beam and a reflected light beam. The optical module further includes a filter unit, having plurality of filters, adapted to filter the reflected light beam originating from the at least one of plurality of beam splitters into at least one color component.
[0008] In one embodiment, the one or more light sources include, at least one of, a halogen lamp, a solid-state laser, a liquid laser, and a gas laser.
[0009] In another embodiment, the each of the plurality of beam splitters is at least one of, a dichroic beam splitter.
[0010] In yet another embodiment, each of the plurality of beam splitters is capable of reflecting a specified or pre-defined range of wavelengths of the light beam emitted by the one or more light sources of the lightning unit depending on a pre-defined wavelength reflection range of each of the plurality of beam splitters.
[0011] In yet another embodiment, a specific beam splitter arranged in close proximity to the one or more light sources is adapted to transmit the light beam of a specific wavelength emitted by the one or more light sources to a consecutive beam splitter, when the wavelength of the light beam is beyond the pre-defined wavelength reflection range of the specific beam splitter, and wherein the consecutive beam splitter is capable of receiving the light beam transmitted by the specific beam splitter which is within a pre-defined wavelength reflection range of the consecutive beam splitter.
[0012] In yet another embodiment, each of the plurality of filters is at least one of, a Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) band pass filter.
[0013] In yet another embodiment, each of the plurality of beam splitters is tilted at a pre-defined angle in relation to the plurality of filters.
[0014] In yet another embodiment, the light beam is reflected from at least one of the plurality of beam splitters towards a corresponding filter among the plurality of filters due to the tilted position of the plurality of beam splitters in relation to the plurality of filters.
[0015] In yet another embodiment, wherein the plurality of filters are positioned below the plurality of beam splitters.
[0016] In yet another embodiment, the lighting unit, the beam splitter unit, and the filter unit are coupled to each other via a coupling means.
[0017] In yet another embodiment, the lighting unit, the beam splitter unit, and the filter unit are mounted within a housing.
[0018] Other features and aspects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. The features and advantages described in this summary and in the following detailed description are not all-inclusive, and particularly, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art, in view of the drawings, specification, and claims hereof. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes and not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter, resort to the claims being necessary to determine such inventive subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Some drawings indicates the components using block diagrams and possibly not represent the internal circuitry of each component.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an optical module mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates an optical module of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a comparison of the optical module of FIG. 1 with a one pound coin, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a graph of a band pass filter performance of an optical module, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; and
[0024] The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Some embodiments of the present disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0026] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein are applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure including the definitions listed here below are not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0027] A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily ascertain that the illustrated steps detailed in the figures and here below are set out to explain the exemplary embodiments shown, and it should be anticipated that ongoing technological development will change the manner in which particular functions are performed. These examples are presented herein for purposes of illustration, and not limitation. Further, the boundaries of the functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternative boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. Alternatives (including equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, etc., of those described herein) will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such alternatives fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments.
[0028] As per various embodiments depicted, the present invention discloses an optical module. The optical module of the present invention is mainly used for the analysis of biochemistry samples utilizing a photometric principle. A photometer based on the photometric principle measures a light beam after passing through a filter and a biochemistry sample is required to be analysed.
[0029] In alternate embodiments, the optical module is also used for other applications as well.
[0030] In an embodiment, the object of the present invention is to ensure a compact, a low cost and an efficient optical module is provided/assembled.
[0031] It is yet another object of the present invention is to ensure that the components of the optical module are such that they are not moving, thereby ensuring noise is not generated within the optical module.
[0032] It is yet another object of the present invention is to ensure that light from external environment doesn’t penetrate within the optical module.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 illustrates an optical module 100 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The optical module 100 is mounted on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 102. The optical module 100 is positioned in close proximity to a sample holder (not shown) containing the sample to be analyzed, a sensing unit/detector (not shown) is mounted on the PCB to sense light intensity values of an emergent light beam subsequent to passing through the sample contained within the sample holder and a controller (not shown) is mounted on the PCB which is in wired and wireless communication with the optical module 100 and a sensing unit/detector configured to analyze the sample.
[0034] In an embodiment, the sample to be analysed includes, by way of example but not limitation, biological samples e.g., liquid such as blood, saliva or a solid, such as a solid tissue sample, muscle or a bone.
[0035] In an alternate embodiment, the term "sample" as used herein refers to a sample containing a biological sample or material. The sample includes, for example, a fluid sample (e.g., a blood sample) or a tissue sample. The sample is at least one of, a portion of a larger sample. The sample includes at least one of, a biological sample having serum, plasma and other body fluids. In yet another embodiment, the sample refers to a forensic sample or an environmental sample.
[0036] In an embodiment, the sample holder includes, by way of example but not limited to, a circular, a flat or a rectangular shaped sample holder. The sample holder is configured to receive a plurality of samples. The sample holder comprises of a plurality of sample regions, or a well, configured for receiving the plurality of samples, wherein the well is sealed within the sample holder via a lid, a cap, a sealing film or any other sealing mechanism.
[0037] In an embodiment, sensing unit/detector includes, by way of example but not limited to, an optical detector assembly for detecting a light beam. In an alternate embodiment, the sensing unit/detector includes at least one of, an optical sensor comprising a single sensor element, for example, a photodiode detector. Additionally, or alternatively, the optical sensor comprises an array of sensors. Array of sensors includes a plurality of photodiodes detectors.
[0038] Operational and construction features of the optical module 100 will be explained in detail with respect to the following figures.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 illustrates an optical module 100 of FIG. 1, according to various embodiments of the present invention.
[0040] As shown in Fig. 2, the optical module 100 includes a lighting unit 104, a beam splitting unit 106, a filter unit 108, a specific beam splitter 202, a consecutive beam splitter 204, a first filter 206 and a consecutive filter 208, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the optical module 100 is a single integrated unit including the lighting unit 104, the beam splitting unit 106 and the filter unit 108. The lighting unit 104, the beam splitting unit 106 and the filter unit 108 of the optical module 100 are coupled to each other such that they are not movable, whatsoever, thereby advantageously, ensuring that due to non-moving parts, no noise is generated within the optical module 100 during operation and also durability of the optical module 100 is substantially increased. In this regard, the optical module 100 will deliver efficient and accurate results.
[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the lighting unit 104, the beam splitting unit 106 and the filter unit 108 of the optical module 100 are coupled to each other via a coupling means. The coupling means includes at least one of, but not limited to, threading, molding, thermal coupling, nuts, bolts, recess, screws, clips, and clamps.
[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the lighting unit 104 includes a single light source. In alternate embodiments, the lighting unit 104 includes one or more light sources.
[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the light source is one of, but not limited to, a halogen lamp capable of emitting a white light beam. In alternate embodiments, the light source is one of, but not limited to, a Halogen lamp, Xenon Lamp, Light Emitting Diodes and one or more light sources capable of emitting a light beam without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the one or more light sources of the lighting unit 104 are adapted to emit at least one light beam towards the beam splitting unit 106. The beam splitting unit 106 includes a plurality of beam splitters. The plurality of beam splitters is arranged consecutively in line with the lighting unit 104 as shown in FIG. 1.
[0046] In an alternate embodiment, the beam splitting unit 106 includes at least a specific beam splitter 202 and a consecutive beam splitter 204.
[0047] Each of the beam splitters among the plurality of beam splitters is adapted to split the white light beam emitted from the one or more light sources of the lighting unit 104 into a transmitted light beam and a reflected light beam.
[0048] In an embodiment, each of the beam splitter among the plurality of beam splitters is at least one of, a dichroic beam splitter or a dichroic mirror.
[0049] In a preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of beam splitters that is selected have a pre-defined wavelength reflection range. In other words, each beam splitter such as the specific beam splitter 202 and the consecutive beam splitter 204 that are selected are capable of reflecting a specified/pre-defined range of wavelengths of the light beam on an Area of Interest (AOI).
[0050] In an alternate embodiment, each of the plurality of beam splitters that is selected have the pre-defined wavelength reflection value. In other words, each beam splitter such as the specific beam splitter 202 and the consecutive beam splitter 204 that are selected are capable of reflecting a specified/pre-defined value of wavelengths of the light beam on an AOI.
[0051] In an embodiment, the specific beam splitter 202 is arranged in close proximity to the one or more light sources of the lighting unit 104. The specific beam splitter 202 is adapted to transmit the light beam of a specific wavelength emitted by the one or more light sources to the consecutive beam splitter 204, when the wavelength of the light beam is beyond the pre-defined wavelength reflection range of the specific beam splitter 202.
[0052] In a preferred embodiment, the consecutive beam splitter 204 is capable of receiving the light beam transmitted by the specific beam splitter 202 which is within a pre-defined wavelength reflection range of the consecutive beam splitter 204.
[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the filter unit 108 includes a plurality of filters. A first filter 206 is included among the plurality of filters of the filter unit 108. Each filter of the filter unit 108 is a full width at half maximum (FWHM) band pass filter. Each filter of the filter unit 108 is adapted to filter the reflected light beam originating from the beam splitter unit 106 into at least one color component. The low detection efficiency of the filter-based on prior art systems is successfully overcome by using the selective energy matched low FWHM band pass filters.
[0054] In an alternate embodiment, the band pass filter used in the optical module 100 is having comparatively less bandwidth which is able to filter selected wavelength of the light beam.
[0055] In an embodiment, each filter of the filter unit 108 is positioned such that the said filter is adapted to receive the reflected light beam from each beam splitter of the beam splitter unit 106 at the AOI of the filter. As shown in FIG. 2, there are eight beam splitters, accordingly eight filters are positioned below the eight beam splitters. In other words, below each beam splitter, a corresponding filter is positioned.
[0056] In a preferred embodiment, each beam splitter among the plurality of beam splitters of the beam splitter unit 106 is tilted at a pre-defined angle, hereinafter referred to as a tilt angle in relation to the corresponding plurality of filters. To be precise, depending on the AOI that the reflected light beam from each beam splitter is required to be received at the respective corresponding filter, each beam splitter is titled at the pre-defined angle.
[0057] In an embodiment, the light beam emitted by the one or more light sources is reflected from at least one of the plurality of beam splitters of the beam splitter unit 106 towards a corresponding filter among the plurality of filters due to the tilted position of the plurality of beam splitters in relation to the plurality of filters. The tilt angle of each beam splitter is pre-set, accordingly. Advantageously, ensuring that each filter is efficiently utilized for filtering color components of the white light beam.
[0058] In an embodiment, the optical module 100 combines a series of consecutively arranged plurality of beam splitters with a plurality of band pass filter arrays which increases the detection efficiency of the optical module 100.
[0059] In an embodiment, the entire optical module 100 including at least the lighting unit 104, the beam splitter unit 106 and the filter unit 108 are disposed within a housing, thereby advantageously, ensuring that that light from the external environment doesn’t penetrate within the optical module 100. Therefore, optical module 100 can provide efficient results and is compact in nature.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 describes optical module 100 which is the size of a one-pound coin, advantageously, the optical module 100 is easily portable. It is to be noted that the embodiment with respect to FIG. 3 will be explained as an exemplary working example of the optical module 100 illustrated below. It is to be noted that the working example is purely exemplary in nature for the purpose of description and illustration and should nowhere be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Below indicated is a working example of the optical module 100 with reference to FIG. 2.
[0061] At the outset, the lighting unit 104 including a single light source which is a halogen lamp is adapted to emit the white light beam. Preferably, the light source having specifications of 12V/20W is employed. Halogen lamps having different specifications may also be utilized in the present invention.
[0062] A specific beam splitter 202 arranged at a proximate distance from the lighting unit 104 receives the white light beam. Based on the pre-defined wavelength reflection range of the specific beam splitter 202, the light beam having a selected wavelength of the light beam is reflected on the AOI of the first filter 206 depending on the tilt angle of the specific beam splitter 202. Thereafter, the corresponding first filter 206 positioned below the specific beam splitter 202 filters the reflected white light beam into at least one color component.
[0063] Thereafter, longer wavelengths of the white light beam which are beyond the pre-defined wavelength reflection range of the specific beam splitter 202 are transmitted to the consecutive beam splitters 204, such that the light beam having selected wavelengths are reflected by the said consecutive beam splitters 204 to their respective consecutive filters 208 depending on the pre-defined wavelength reflection range of each beam splitter of the beam splitter unit 106. In other words, the wavelengths of the light beam which are within pre-defined wavelength reflection range of the consecutive beam splitters 204 are reflected towards the respective consecutive filters 208. As shown in FIG. 2, the specific beam splitter 202 reflects the while light beam of a wavelength of 340 nm. Further, the consecutive beam splitters 204 such as a second, a third, a fourth, a fifth, a sixth, a seventh and an eighth beam splitter, each selectively reflects the white light beam of wavelengths of 405 nm, 500 nm, 550 nm, 630 nm, 670 nm and 700 nm, respectively. These wavelength values are exemplary in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention.
[0064] Advantageously, for a fine spectral separation/dispersion of while light beam into a plurality of color components, multiple dichroic filters are subsequently applied. In this approach, all spectrally separated ray bundles of the while light beam are oriented in parallel and target each filter of the filter unit 108 in a perpendicular direction as shown in FIG. 2.
[0065] In an embodiment, the plurality of filters used in the optical module 100 are metal interference filters having center wavelengths of 340 nm, 405 nm, 500 nm, 550 nm, 580 nm, 630 nm, 670 nm, & 700 nm, respectively, and a full width at half maximum (FHWM) of 9–10 nm. Since the band pass filter used in the present invention has comparatively less bandwidth, therefore only required wavelengths are filtered.
[0066] In view of the above, restricting the wavelengths of the light beam to single spectral lines, (i.e., spectrum in which light of only a certain wavelength is emitted or absorbed), advantageously, minimizes probable disturbing effects such as cross talk and allows optimization of the signal parameters of the selected spectral line.
[0067] FIG. 4 illustrates a graph of the bandpass filter performance, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. As shown in the graph, the precise adaption of these large number of the partial spectrum to tailored filters of the filter unit 108 with adjusted spectral characteristics to the dichroic beam splitters will certainly lead to a further increase of the detection efficiency of the optical module 100.
[0068] A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily ascertain that the illustrated embodiments and steps in description and drawings (FIG.1-4) are set out to explain the exemplary embodiments shown, and it should be anticipated that ongoing technological development will change the manner in which particular functions are performed. These examples are presented herein for purposes of illustration, and not limitation. Further, the boundaries of the functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternative boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. Alternatives (including equivalents, extensions, variations, deviations, etc., of those described herein) will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. Such alternatives fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosed embodiments.
[0069] The present disclosure incorporates technical advancement of preventing noise while operation as no moving parts are included in the optical module which increases the durability of the optical module. The optical module ensures that the light from the external environment does not penetrate through the housing of the optical module. The optical module is a compact, low cost and efficient device, thereby the optical module is portable. The light filtering efficiency of the optical module is higher and thereby giving an accurate measurement for different wavelength components. The optical module ensures that the thermal dissipation is optimized.
[0070] The present invention offers multiple advantages over the prior art and the above listed are a few examples to emphasize on some of the advantageous features. The listed advantages are to be read in a non-limiting manner.

REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0071] Optical Module - 100;
[0072] Printed Circuit Board - 102;
[0073] Lighting unit - 104;
[0074] Beam splitting unit – 106;
[0075] Filter unit - 108;
[0076] Specific beam splitter - 202;
[0077] Consecutive beam splitter - 204;
[0078] First filter - 206;
[0079] Consecutive filters - 208;
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS
We Claim:
1. An optical module (100), comprising:
a lighting unit (104), having one or more light sources, adapted to emit at least one light beam;
a beam splitting unit (106), having a plurality of beam splitters arranged consecutively in line with the lighting unit (104), adapted to spilt the light beam emitted from the one or more light sources of the lighting unit (104) into a transmitted light beam and a reflected light beam; and
a filter unit (108), having plurality of filters, adapted to filter the reflected light beam originating from the at least one of plurality of beam splitters into at least one colour component.

2. The optical module (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more light sources include, at least one of, a halogen lamp, and Light Emitting Diode

3. The optical module (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of beam splitters is at least one of, a dichroic beam splitter.

4. The optical module (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of beam splitters is capable of reflecting a specified or pre-defined range of wavelengths of the light beam emitted by the one or more light sources of the lightning unit depending on a pre-defined wavelength reflection range of each of the plurality of beam splitters.

5. The optical module (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a specific beam splitter (202) arranged in close proximity to the one or more light sources is adapted to transmit the light beam of a specific wavelength emitted by the one or more light sources to a consecutive beam splitter (204), when the wavelength of the light beam is beyond the pre-defined wavelength reflection range of the specific beam splitter (202), and wherein the consecutive beam splitter (204) is capable of receiving the light beam transmitted by the specific beam splitter (202) which is within the pre-defined wavelength reflection range of the consecutive beam splitter (204).

6. The optical module (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of filters is at least one of, a Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) band pass filter.

7. The optical module (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of beam splitters is tilted at a pre-defined angle in relation to the plurality of filters.

8. The optical module (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the light beam is reflected from at least one of the plurality of beam splitters towards a corresponding filter among the plurality of filters due to the tilted position of the plurality of beam splitters in relation to the plurality of filters.

9. The optical module (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the plurality of filters are positioned below the plurality of beam splitters.

10. The optical module (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lighting unit (104), the beam splitter unit (106), and the filter unit (108) are mounted within a housing.