MiniLabTM

System Specification
January 2016

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Introducing the Optiqua MiniLab
The Optiqua MiniLab is a compact sensing
platform designed for label-free biosensing. It
MiniLab features at a glance
utilizes optical interferometry to detect refractive
 Sensing principle based on Mach-
index changes taking place near the surface of an
Zehnder interferometry.
optical chip. The Optiqua MiniLab is delivered as a
 Versatile and complete sensing platform
complete package including a fluidics system,
designed for biosensing applications.
electronics, an optical detection system and
software. The sensor chip is housed in a cartridge  Fully programmable fluidic routing
(Figure 1) which is docked into the MiniLab to system.
allow quick and easy loading and unloading of  Includes analysis and control software.
biosensor chips. The cartridge includes a
microfluidic flow cell and the necessary electronic
and optical connectors.
The Optiqua MiniLab is fully programmable in
terms of pump rates and valve switching. The
injection of the sample is done manually.
Everything else, including the analysis of the
results, is performed in the custom-designed
software environment.

Sensing Principle
The Optiqua MiniLab is a fiber optic
interferometry sensing system utilizing the Mach– Figure 1. The MiniLab cartridge contains the
Zehnder interferometer (MZI) concept in a optical chip and the microfluidic flow cell and is
compact sensing platform. It is designed to detect docked into the MiniLab system. The outer
and monitor real-time binding events at the dimensions of the cartridge are 60x110x12 mm.
molecular level. Quantitative, semi-quantitative
and qualitative information of the analyte
concentration can be obtained with MiniLab
through appropriate assay development. MiniLab
measures binding directly, by either rate-based consists of an input channel wave-guide that splits
(i.e., slope of the binding curve), or end-point- up into two identical branches. After a well-
based (i.e., step response of the binding curve). defined length, these two branches are combined
The included software lets the user analyze the again to form the output wave-guide. Light that
binding response with high sensitivity, thereby enters the input wave-guide splits equally over the
allowing real-time and in-situ monitoring of the two branches and combines again at the output
chemical/bio-chemical interactions that take wave-guide (Figure 3). The wave-guides are so
place on the chip sensing surface. called buried wave-guides in which the light
travelling through the wave-guide is shielded from
The Mach–Zehnder interferometer works as an
the environment via a top cladding. By using
optical scale, measuring differences in refractive
etching techniques, the top cladding is locally
index as seen by the sensing branch versus the
removed at a well-defined position above the
reference branch. The basic layout of the MZI

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waveguide in the sensing branch. In this so-called
sensing window, the evanescent field of the light
that travels through the under-laying channel
wave-guide, extents into the environment above
the sensor and becomes susceptible to changes in
refractive index of the sample solution on top of
the sensor window. The resulting change of the
effective refractive index leads to a change of the
speed of the light in the sensing branch and a
change in the relative phase between light that
has travelled through the sensing branch as
compared to the reference branch. This change in
relative phase leads to a change in the
interference between light coming from the
sensing and reference branch at the combining
section and manifests itself as change in the
output intensity of the MZI. The patented Optiqua
sensor is an adaptation of the basic MZI design to
improve the overall performance in terms of
sensitivity, robustness and temperature
Figure 3. The Mach-Zehnder interferometer
independence.
(illustrated above) allows for robust refractive
index sensing. Combined with an appropriate
surface chemistry and receptor system, the
MiniLab can detect and quantify analytes with
high sensitivity and selectivity.

Sensor Chip
The MiniLab sensor chip is the heart of the
Figure 2. Illustration of the biochemical interface technology for MiniLab platform. The chip
developed for the MiniLab. The Si3N4 substrate is surface, composed of Si3N4, is coated with a
coated by a primer layer that protects the sensor dextran layer. The dextran hydrogel layer forms a
surface and provides adhesion for the dextran hydrophilic environment for attached bio-
hydrogel layer. The dextran is functionalized with receptors or ligands, preserving them in a non-
bio-active receptors or ligands, which can be denatured state. The hydrogel also facilitates high
selected depending on the application. surface loading and limits non-specific binding.
The receptors/ligands are attached to the dextran
layer via covalent chemical bonds. In between the
Si3N4 sensing surface and the dextran layer, there
is a proprietary primer layer that has been
developed by Optiqua, providing a stabilized Si3N4
surface suitable for prolonged exposure to the
aquatic environment (Figure 2).

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Applications
A potential application of the Optiqua MiniLab is a
Selected applications
competition (inhibition) assay to determine the
concentration of a low molecular weight  Sensitive detection of contaminants.
contaminant in a sample. A derivative of the target  Non-labelled biosensing for analyte
analyte is first immobilized on the surface of the concentration determination.
MiniLab chip, and the sample to be tested is mixed  Affinity/binding analysis of
with an antibody specific to the target analyte. biomolecules.
After incubation, the solution is injected into the  Surface science and characterization of
MiniLab and the resulting binding response is novel surface chemistries.
measured. If the analyte concentration is high in
the sample, a large proportion of the antibodies Figure 4. Screenshot of the custom-developed
will be occupied by the target molecule and
unable to bind to the surface of the MiniLab chip.
An illustration is shown in Figure 5. In this
application, conditions that allow mass-transport
limited binding may be beneficial, as the binding
rate then becomes directly proportional to the
concentration of free antibody. The response is
compared with a calibration curve and the
concentration of analyte in the original sample can
be determined. The total time of the injection and
analysis of a sample, from start to finish, is less
software for Optiqua MiniLab.
than 10 minutes. The outcome is immediately
reported on the computer screen (Figure 4).
The example above is just one of many potential
applications of the MiniLab. Being a refractive-
index sensitive method, the biosensing principle
used in the MiniLab has similarities with other
optical biosensing methods, such as surface
plasmon resonance. The same types of
applications and methods can be developed for
the MiniLab system as well.
Optiqua has extensive know-how and experience
in developing suitable surface chemistries and
assay formats for the MiniLab. We would be happy Figure 5. Typical binding curves of an inhibition
to discuss applications with you! assay. The solid line shows a high binding response
(low target concentration) while the dotted line
shows a lower binding response (higher target
concentration).The cartoon underneath illustrates
the stages of the assay.

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Technical Specifications for Optiqua MiniLab
Fluidics
Pump Single syringe infusion/withdrawal syringe pump. Pumping
rate: from 3 uL/h to >100 mL/h depending on syringe
dimensions; with default syringe the typical rate is 1 mL/h.
Syringe (for pump) Hamilton Gastight 1002, 2.5 mL glass syringe (default). Other
syringes can easily be mounted to achieve desired flow rates
and/or capacities.
Injection Valve Motorised injection/switching valve (2-position, 6-port).
Port-to-port volume 660 nL. Wetted material: PEEK.
Maximum working pressure: 35 MPa (5000 psi).
Switching Valve 2-position switching solenoid-operated isolation valve (for
automatic refilling of running buffer). Wetted material: PTFE.
Tubing 1/16” OD tubing, ID: 0.01” (0.254 mm) and 0.03” (0.762
mm).
Injection Loop 50 L as default (can be changed as required).
Recommended injection volume: 150 L (for 50 L loop).
Fluidic Connectors Standard Rheodyne (IDEX) 1/16” connectors. Material: PEEK
Microfluidic Flow Cell Linear rectangular microfluidic channel, 12.5 mm long, 0.5
mm wide and 0.025 mm high. The walls of the flow cell are
made of chemically resistant fluoroelastomer.
Control System Computerized programmable control system, allowing
control of valve switching and flow rate. The control system
is integrated in the MiniLab software.

Optics
Light Source 850 nm Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL), low
power output.
Detector Monolithic photodiode with on-chip transimpedance
amplifier.
Optical Resolution Optical resolution: The theoretical minimum optical
resolution is 4.6*10-8 RIU (refractive index units). Practical
minimum optical resolution: the practical optical resolution
is at least 10-7RIU.

Electronics
Power Requirements AC powered 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz.
I/O interface USB connection.
Computer Requirements Desktop or laptop computer running MS Windows.
Software Optiqua’s custom developed MiniLab control and analysis
software will be installed on the computer.

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Contact

For more information on Optiqua MiniLab, or other Optiqua products, please contact us by
email or call us at one of the following numbers.

Optiqua Technologies Pte. Ltd.

Asia Pacific Office

Europe Office
Hengelosestraat 705, 7521 PA Enschede
The Netherlands
Tel: + 31 (0) 534836377

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