Analytical device having semiconductive polyacetylene element associated with analyte-binding substance

• US 4,334,880 A
• Filed: 10/20/1980
• Issued: 06/15/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ohmicron Corp (Standard General LP)
• Original Assignee: Mark K. Malmros
• Inventors: Malmros, Mark K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Marantz, Sidney
• Application Number:
  US06/198,782
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 23/230 B, 424/12, 324/71 SN, 422/68, 435/4, 435/7, 435/291
• US Class Current: 435/7.4
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/4145 specially adapted for biomolecules, e.g. gate electrode with immobilised receptors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/542 with steric inhibition or signal modification, e.g. fluorescent quenching
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/5438 Electrodes

Abstract

A method, sensor and semiconductor device for determining the concentration of an analyte in a medium. The device features an element constructed of polyacetylene associated with a binding substance having specific affinity for the analyte.

Claims

1. A device for determining the concentration of an analyte in a medium, comprising:

(a) sensor means including an element whose resistance varies in response to the presence of an analyte, where said element includes a binding substance which has specific affinity for the analyte,

(b) means including spaced-apart electrodes contacting the element for measuring the resistance of the element,

(c) means for bringing the medium in contact with the sensor, wherein the improvement comprises;

said element being constructed of polyacetylene.

2. The device as in claim 1 where there are two electrodes.

3. The device as in claim 1 where there are three electrodes.

4. A device as in claim 1, 2 or 3 where the specific binding substance is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, an antigen, an enzyme, an enzyme substrate, an enzyme substrate analog, an agglutinin or lectin, an enzyme cofactor, an enzyme inhibitor and a hormone.

5. A variable resistance sensor for determination of an analyte in a medium comprising:

an insulating structure, element means having an active part composed of polyacetylene mounted on said structure for exposure to the medium and electrodes positioned to contact the element, and where the polyacetylene element means includes a specific binding substance for the analyte.

6. The sensor as in claim 5 where there are two electrodes.

7. The sensor as in claim 5 where there are three electrodes.

8. The sensor as in claim 5, 6 or 7, where the specific binding substance is selected from the group consisting of antibodies, antigens, enzymes, enzyme substrates, analoges of enzyme substrates, agglutinins, lectins, enzyme cofactors, enzyme inhibitors and hormones.

9. A method of identifying the type and quantity of an analyte in a medium comprising the steps of:

(a) preparing an element of polyacetylene

(b) treating the element with a specific binding substance,

(c) exposing the element to the medium,

(d) measuring the change in an electrical characteristic of the treated element.

10. The method of claim 9 including the steps of applying at least two electrodes to contact the element and measuring the electrical changes between the electrodes.

11. The method of claim 10 including the step of applying three electrodes to contact the element.

12. The method as in claim 9, 10 or 11, where the specific binding substance is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, an antigen, an enzyme, an enzyme substrate, an enzyme substrate analog, an agglutinin or lectin, an enzyme cofactor, an enzyme inhibitor and a hormone.