Magnetostrictive ligand sensor

• US 20050074904A1
• Filed: 08/20/2004
• Published: 04/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auburn University
• Original Assignee: Auburn University
• Inventors: Vodyanoy, Vitaly J., Huang, Tung-Shi, Wikle, Howard C. III, Cheng, Zhongyang, Barbaree, James, Chin, Bryan A., Petrenko, Valery A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,759,134 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 436/526
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/745 for detecting magnetic beads used in biochemical assays concerning the assays G01N33/54326; sensors therefor G01R33/1269; automatic analysers therefor G01N35/0098
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5434 using magnetic particle immunoreagent carriers which constitute new materials per se

Abstract

A magnetostrictive ligand sensor device (MLSD), system and method are provided having at least one magnetostrictive particle (MSP) to which is bound at least one binding element. The MSP may be dispersed in a sample containing a target ligand such that the target ligand binds thereto. A driver is also provided to emit a varying magnetic field such that the MSP produces a resonance response detectable by a measurement device configured to receive and detect changes in the resonance response that are due to alterations of the binding element. The MLSD and assays find use in identifying and quantitating ligands as well as chemicals and environmental conditions in a sample or patient.

Claims

1. A magnetostrictive ligand sensor device comprising:

a. a collection of magnetostrictive particles, wherein said magnetostrictive particles have a first dimension of less than about 25 millimeters, a second dimension of less than about 5 millimeters, and a third dimension of less than about 28 micrometers; and

b. at least one binding element that is bound to at least one of said magnetostrictive particles.

2. The magnetostrictive ligand sensor device of claim 1, wherein said at least one binding element comprises a binding agent that is selected from the group consisting of peptides, phages, and antibodies.

3. The magnetostrictive ligand sensor device of claim 1, wherein said magnetostrictive particles exhibit Q values in liquid that are above 5.

4. The magnetostrictive ligand sensor device of claim 1, wherein said magnetostrictive particles exhibit Q values in air that are above 5.

5. The magnetostrictive ligand sensor device of claim 1, wherein said binding element consists of a chemically-sensitive coating.

6. The magnetostrictive ligand sensor device of claim 2, wherein said binding agent is a peptide.

7. The magnetostrictive ligand sensor device of claim 2, wherein said collection of magnetostrictive particles comprises a first magnetostrictive particle with a binding element comprising a binding agent that is a first peptide and a second magnetostrictive particle with a binding element comprising a binding agent that is a second peptide, wherein said first peptide and said second peptide are different peptides.

8. The magnetostrictive ligand sensor device of claim 2, wherein said binding agent comprises engineered phage.

9. A method for detecting the presence of a substance in a sample, comprising the steps of:

a) assembling a magnetostrictive ligand sensor device comprising;

i) at least one magnetostrictive particle characterized by a resonance response, wherein said magnetostrictive particle has a first dimension of less than about 25 millimeters, a second dimension of less than about 5 millimeters, and a third dimension of less than about 28 micrometers; and

ii) at least one binding element that is bound to said magnetostrictive particle;

b) exposing said magnetostrictive ligand sensor device to a sample, whereby said binding element is altered by its interaction and/or added to with said substance;

c) emitting a varying magnetic field from a driver to said at least one magnetostrictive particle such that said at least one magnetostrictive particle produces a resonance response;

d) receiving said resonance response at a measurement device; and

e) detecting a change in said resonance response, wherein said change results from the alteration of said binding element by interaction with said substance,

whereby said change in said resonance response indicates the presence of a particular substance in said sample.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said binding element comprises a binding agent that binds a ligand and wherein the amount of said ligand which is bound to said binding agent is evaluated quantitatively.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said sample is in liquid form and comprises a food source.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of remotely manipulating said magnetostrictive particle in said sample using an external magnetic field, wherein said sample is the body of a patient.

13. A sensor system, comprising:

a) a magnetostrictive particle characterized by a resonance response, wherein said magnetostrictive particle has a first dimension of less than about 25 millimeters, a second dimension of less than about 5 millimeters, and a third dimension of less than about 28 micrometers and wherein said magnetostrictive particle is bound to at least one binding element; and

b) a measurement device configured to detect a change in said resonance response of said magnetostrictive particle that results from the alteration of said at least one binding element, wherein said measurement device is capable of remotely detecting and quantifying the alteration of said binding element in a sample.

14. A sensor system according to claim 13, further comprising a driver configured to induce said resonance response of said magnetostrictive particle.

15. A sensor system according to claim 13, further comprising a coil configured to produce a magnetic field to remotely distribute and manipulate said magnetostrictive particle in a sample.

16. A sensor system according to claim 14, wherein said driver is a coil configured to apply a time-varying magnetic field to said magnetostrictive particle and wherein said resonance response is a time-varying magnetic field.

17. A sensor system according to claim 14, wherein said measurement device includes a pick-up coil configured to detect said time-varying magnetic field from said magnetostrictive particle.

18. A sensor system according to claim 17 wherein said measurement device further includes:

a) a filter device;

b) an amplifier;

c) a fast Fourier transform device;

d) a plurality of memory registers;

e) a central processing unit; and

f) a display.

19. A sensor system according to claim 14, wherein said driver is a coil configured to apply a first continuous magnetic field to said magnetostrictive particle and wherein said resonance response is a second continuous magnetic field having a phase delay with respect to the first continuous magnetic field.

20. A sensor system according to claim 13, wherein said measurement device includes a pick-up coil configured to detect said phase delay.

21. A sensor system according to claim 13, wherein said binding element comprises a binding agent selected from the group consisting of:

a) monoclonal antibodies;

b) polyclonal antibodies;

c) phage;

d) skinned phage;

f) DNA;

g) RNA;

h) peptides; and

i) combinations thereof.

22. A sensor system according to claim 13, wherein said magnetostrictive particle is a substantially rectangular magnetostrictive strip.

23. A sensor system according to claim 13, wherein said magnetostrictive particle has a structure selected from the group consisting of:

a) microcantilevers;

b) bridges; and

c) membranes.