Interferometric detection and quantification system and methods of use in aquatics

1. A portable interferometric system for detection and quantification of analyte within an aquatic test sample composition, the system comprising:

an optical assembly unit, the optical assembly unit comprising a light unit and a detector unit each adapted to fit within a portable housing unit; and

a cartridge system adapted to be inserted in the housing unit and removed after one or more uses, the cartridge system comprising:

an interferometric chip including one or more waveguide channels having a sensing layer thereon, the sensing layer adapted to selectively bind or otherwise be selectively disturbed by one or more analytes within the aquatic test sample composition; and

a flow cell wafer; and

a cartridge housing enclosing the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer; and

an alignment means for aligning the cartridge system within a cartridge recess in the optical assembly unit upon insertion thereby providing optical and microfluidic alignment of the interferometric chip and flow cell wafer.

2. The portable interferometric system of claim 1 , wherein the portable housing is sized and shaped to fit in a user's hand.

3. The portable interferometric system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one display unit.

4. The portable interferometric system of claim 1 , further comprising an external camera, the external camera adapted to capture a photo or video.

5. The portable interferometric system of claim 1 , the alignment means comprising at least one male key portion on an exterior surface of the cartridge housing for engaging and securing the cartridge within a corresponding female rail of the optical assembly unit.

6. The portable interferometric system of claim 1 , wherein the sensing layer comprises one or more antigens, antibodies, DNA, aptamers, polypeptides, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, or molecularly imprinted polymers, or immunoglobulins suitable for binding one or more analytes within an aquatic test sample composition.

7. The portable interferometric system of claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to analyze the light signals from two or more waveguide channels to detect the presence of an analyte that individual waveguide channels could not have detected alone.

8. The portable interferometric system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more waveguide channels each comprises a different sensitive layer to allow the system to detect different analytes on each waveguide channel.

9. The portable interferometric system of claim 1 , wherein the sensitive layer is configured to bind one or more antibodies, virus antigens, virus proteins, bacteria, fungi, pathogen, RNA, chemical, mRNA or any combination thereof.

10. The portable interferometric system of claim 1 , having an analyte detection limit down to about 1.0 picogram/L.

11. The portable interferometric system of claim 1 , having an analyte detection limit down to about 1000 pfu/ml.

12. The portable interferometric system of claim 1 , wherein the detector has sensitivity to at least 2 pixels per diffraction line pair.

13. The portable interferometric system of claim 1 , further comprising a location means adapted to determine the physical location of the system.

14. The portable interferometric system of claim 1 , wherein the analyte is one or more of a fungicide, herbicide, plant growth regulator, insecticide, fungus, bacterium, or microbe.

15. A method of detecting and quantifying the level of analyte in an aquatic test sample composition, the method comprising the steps of:

collecting an aquatic target sample containing one or more analytes;

optionally entering an identification associated with the target sample;

introducing the aquatic target sample to a system of claim 1 ;

optionally, mixing the target sample with a buffer solution to form an aquatic test sample composition;

initiating waveguide interferometry on the test sample composition;

processing any data resulting from the waveguide interferometry; and

optionally, transmitting any data resulting from the waveguide interferometry.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the step of transmitting data includes wirelessly transmitting analyte detection and quantification data to a mobile device or server.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of displaying data related to the presence of analyte in the test sample composition on the display unit.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the aquatic target sample is collected from salt water, fresh water, fish farm, effluent system, waterway, water reservoir, potable water source, or sanitary sewer.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the aquatic target sample is in the form of, dissolved in, or suspended in a liquid or a gas.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the data resulting from the waveguide interferometry is provided at or under 30 minutes.

21. The portable interferometric system of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge housing comprises a vent port for allowing air to exit and prevent bubble formation.