This video illustrates how the Optoreader detects and measures the speed of droplets containing fluorescent targets. In the upper left panel, the studied microfluidic chip is visualized showing the generation and transport of droplets. The Optoreader generates a light spot at the fluidic channel to probe the reflection and fluorescence of these droplets as they move across the illuminated area. The collected signal is next visualized and analyzed (statistics on the size, speed and fluorescent intensity) on the right panels. Here, such information is fed back to the pressure control system (lower right panel) to adjust to applied pressure.
Application note Optoreader Detection of fluorescent droplets using Optoreader
Droplets generation has a large range of application, such as emulsion production, single cell analysis, drug delivery or nanoparticles synthesis. Droplets can also be used as micro bioreactors for chemical or biochemical reactions.
In such application, it is essential to track and probe the individual droplets. The Optoreader offers a light-based non-invasive, sensitive, high-throughput and convenient way to achieve this goal.
In this application note, we will review the detection of fluorescent droplet using the Optoreader.
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Set-up diagram Detection of fluorescent droplets using the Optoreader

The above scheme shows the microfluidic setup used for this application note. Droplets are generated in the microchip. Their size, speed and composition will depend of flow rate of liquid coming from microfluidic tank.
Instruments & Components List
The experiments shown in this application note have been realized only with Elveflow’s instruments and accessories. For any advice on your research project and experimental needs, do not hesitate to consult our team of specialists.

OptoReader
Optical detection for microfluidics... See More
OptoReader
Droplet control and measurement, Particle counting, Cell sorting, Liquid composition dynamic control, Opto-fluidic Chemical reaction tracking ...

DROPLET GENERATION PACK
Fast and reproducible droplet generation... See More
DROPLET GENERATION PACK
Elveflow® provides a microfluidic droplet generation pack to help any research lab to easily generate droplets into a microfluidic chip...
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Performance Detection & Velocity

This graph shows the sensitivity as function of the droplet speed. The measurement was conducted on 390 µm-diameter droplets moving in a channel of the same width using a light spot of 400 µm-diameter as probe. * 1 nM FITC available in option
Bidirectional Optical fiber output: for an easy and versatile integration with your microfluidic device.
High throughput detection: 100 kHz Acquisition allows detecting thousands events per seconds.
High sensitivity: Fluorescence detection limit: < 700 fW (100 Hz bandwidth). Detect as low as 1 nM FITC in a 16 nL droplet (With high sensitivity option).
Easy interactivity: The OptoReader can interact with other Elveflow products through Elveflow software suite.
Software
The user-friendly Elveflow® Smart Interface allows you to easily integrate the Optoreader into your own flow control system.
Optical Detection Interface
Showing the variation of the reflection (blue) and fluorescence (yellow) signals due to the passing of the fluorescent droplets.
Statistic Interface
Showing real-time statistical information on the droplets.
- Frequency
- Amplitude
- Witdth
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