Cortisol sensor

• US 20030224526A1
• Filed: 05/20/2003
• Published: 12/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Original Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
• Inventors: Sample, Jennifer L., Lawrence, David S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,833,274 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/128
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/772 Tip coated light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/7786 Fluorescence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6428 Measuring fluorescence of fluorescent products of reactions or of fluorochrome labelled reactive substances, e.g. measuring quenching effects, using measuring "optrodes" in vivo A61B5/00; immunoassay G01N33/53
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/7703 using reagent-clad optical fibres or optical waveguides using measurement of total internal reflection or attenuated total reflection G01N21/552; optical fibres or waveguides per se G02B
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/542 with steric inhibition or signal modification, e.g. fluorescent quenching
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/545 Synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/743 Steroid hormones
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/200833 Carbonyl, ether, aldehyde or ketone containing

Abstract

Devices and methods for sensing and detecting cortisol levels in a fluid sample in real-time using a cortisol-imprinted polymer are provided. Also provided are hydration devices comprising a cortisol sensor of the present invention capable both of providing hydration to a user and allowing the user to measure cortisol levels in the user'"'"'s bodily fluids in real-time.

Claims

1. A sensor device for detecting cortisol molecules, said device comprising a molecularly imprinted polymer comprising a cortisol-binding chromophore that fluoresces upon excitation operatively associated with:

a source of excitation energy for said chromophore; and

a detector for detecting fluorescent energy emitted upon chromophore excitation;

wherein the unbound excited chromophore fluoresces differently that the bound excited chromophore.

2. The sensor device of claim 1 wherein said chromophore comprises a porphyrin.

3. The sensor device of claim 2 wherein said chromophore is 5-(4-boronopthaloyl-amidophenyl)-10,15,20-(ethenylphenyl)₃-porphyrinato copper (II).

4. The sensor device of claim 1 wherein said source of excitation energy is selected from the group consisting of an argon laser, blue laser, tunable laser, light emitting diode, and combinations of two or more thereof.

5. The sensor device of claim 4 wherein the detector is selected from the group consisting of a spectrophotometer, spectrometer, photomultiplier tube, CCD camera equipped with a monochromator, filters, the naked eye, and combinations of two or more thereof

6. The sensor device of claim 1 further comprising at least one optical fiber, having a proximal end and a distal end, for transmitting light energy, wherein said molecularly imprinted polymer is disposed on the distal end of the optical fiber, said source of excitation energy is operatively associated with said optical fiber such that said fiber is capable of transmitting excitation energy generated by the source of excitation energy to said molecularly imprinted polymer, and said detector is operatively associated with said optical fiber such that said detector is capable of detecting fluorescence from said chromophore.

7. The sensor device of claim 1 further comprising a fluid receptacle in fluid communication with said molecularly imprinted polymer.

8. The sensor device of claim 7 wherein said fluid receptacle is selected from the group consisting of mouthpieces, cups, bulbs, tubes, bowls, bladders, and combinations of two or more thereof.

9. The sensor device of claim 8 wherein said fluid receptacle comprises a mouthpiece.

10. The sensor device of claim 9 wherein at least a portion of said mouthpiece is formed from said molecularly imprinted polymer.

11. The sensor device of claim 9 wherein at least a portion of said mouthpiece is coated with said molecularly imprinted polymer.

12. The sensor device of claim 1 further comprising a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with said molecularly imprinted polymer.

13. The sensor device of claim 10 wherein said fluid reservoir comprises a device selected from the group consisting of bladders, bulbs, cups, tanks, tubes, and combinations of two or more thereof.

14. The sensor device of claim 10 wherein said fluid reservoir comprises an input port.

15. A portable hydration device comprising:

a fluid reservoir capable of holding a hydrating fluid;

a tube assembly comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end being coupled to said reservoir and said distal end being adapted to receive hydrating fluid from the reservoir; and

a sensor device according to claim 1 wherein said molecularly imprinted polymer is in fluid communication with said fluid reservoir and said distal end of said tube assembly.

16. The portable hydration device of claim 15 further comprising a mouthpiece coupled with said distal end of said tube assembly.

17. The portable hydration device of claim 16 comprising a portable pack capable of receiving at least a portion of one or more of the devices selected from the group consisting of said reservoir, tube assembly, mouthpiece, molecularly imprinted polymer, light source, detector, and combinations of two or more thereof.

18. The portable hydration device of claim 17 further comprising at least one strap for mounting said pack onto a user.

19. A method of detecting a cortisol molecule comprising:

providing a fluid sample comprising at least one cortisol molecule; and

contacting the fluid sample with the molecularly imprinted polymer of a sensor device of claim 1 to chemically bind the cortisol molecule to the molecularly imprinted polymer; and

detecting the cortisol molecule.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said providing step comprises providing a saliva-based sample via expectoration or salivation.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein said providing step comprises providing a urine-based sample via urination.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein said cortisol molecule is detected in real-time.