Methods and apparatus for electrochemically testing samples for constituents
First Claim
1. An apparatus for testing a sample for constituents comprising;
- a plurality of electrochemical sensors, each sensor adapted to detect a different constituent within the sample;
a reservoir for containing the sample;
a plurality of interconnected channels fluidly coupling the reservoir to the sensors; and
a circuit coupled to the plurality of sensors to analyze the electrochemical properties of the sensors to detect the presence of a particular constituent at each sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention concerns a sensor array and related testing apparatus for rapidly detecting the presence and/or concentration of constituents in samples, particularly biological molecules in fluid samples, including associated testing methods. The invention can be adapted such that a plurality of the sensors each detect a different constituent so that the invention can rapidly detect multiple constituents in a single sample. The sensors may be arranged in an array and connected by a plurality of micro channels that are fed from a main channel into which the sample is introduced. Positive pressure can be applied to the main and micro channels by a micro-pump. Alternately, it can be adapted to detect one or more constituents in a plurality of separate samples. A plurality of sensors are provided, each comprising electrochemical cells comprising an anode, a cathode and a reference electrode separated from each other by one or more filters within which an electrolyte is suspended. The cathode of each sensor is particularly adapted to optimize adherence to it of the particular constituent that it is designed to detect. The electrodes of each sensor are electrically coupled to a miniature electrochemical analyzer designed to send electrical pulses (voltage or current) to the electrochemical cell, and and measure the response (current or voltage) by the electrochemical cells responsive to the pulses and then analyze the response to determine the presence and/or concentration of the constituents. The transient current or voltage responses are affected by the type and concentration of the constituent that adheres to the cathode of the particular sensor.
63 Citations
41 Claims
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1. An apparatus for testing a sample for constituents comprising;
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a plurality of electrochemical sensors, each sensor adapted to detect a different constituent within the sample;
a reservoir for containing the sample;
a plurality of interconnected channels fluidly coupling the reservoir to the sensors; and
a circuit coupled to the plurality of sensors to analyze the electrochemical properties of the sensors to detect the presence of a particular constituent at each sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 28, 30)
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20. An apparatus for testing a sample for constituents comprising;
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a plurality of electrochemical sensor cells, each sensor cell adapted to detect a different constituent within the sample; and
an analytic circuitry for analyzing the electrochemical properties of the sensors;
a multiplexer; and
control circuitry for controlling the multiplexer to selectively electrically couple the analytical circuitry to each of the sensors, whereby the analytical circuitry can be used to analyze each sensor distinctly. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29)
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31. A method for testing a sample for constituents comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of electrochemical sensors, each sensor adapted to detect a different constituent within the sample;
providing a circuit coupled to the plurality of sensors to analyze the electrochemical properties of the sensors to detect the presence of a particular constituent at each sensor;
introducing a sample into each sensor; and
simultaneously analyzing the electrical properties of each electrochemical sensor to detect the presence of at least one constituent in the sample at each sensor. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification