Bio-thermo tip sensor
First Claim
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1. A bio-thermo tip sensor for detecting chemical substances contained in a solution, said sensor comprising:
- (a) a plurality of IC thermal sensors for providing a reference voltage and for converting temperature change to an output voltage relative to the reference voltage;
(b) wires for connecting said IC thermal sensors to an external power supply and voltmeters;
(c) electrically inert insulating material for encapsulating said IC thermal sensors and the wires except for the surfaces of detecting parts of said IC thermal sensors; and
(d) a membrane coated on the surface of at least one of the IC thermal sensors, said membrane having an enzyme immobilized thereon for generating heat when exposed to a solution containing a specific chemical substance to apply the temperature change to the IC thermal sensor.
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Abstract
A bio-thermo sensor has an enzyme-modified membrane directly supported on an IC thermal detector in face-to-face contact. The enzyme-modified membrane selectively reacts with a specific chemical substance to generate therein a reaction heat which is converted into an amplified output voltage indicative of the chemical substance by the IC thermal detector. The IC thermal detector includes Darlington-connected transistors which provide high sensitivity and quick response time.
11 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A bio-thermo tip sensor for detecting chemical substances contained in a solution, said sensor comprising:
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(a) a plurality of IC thermal sensors for providing a reference voltage and for converting temperature change to an output voltage relative to the reference voltage; (b) wires for connecting said IC thermal sensors to an external power supply and voltmeters; (c) electrically inert insulating material for encapsulating said IC thermal sensors and the wires except for the surfaces of detecting parts of said IC thermal sensors; and (d) a membrane coated on the surface of at least one of the IC thermal sensors, said membrane having an enzyme immobilized thereon for generating heat when exposed to a solution containing a specific chemical substance to apply the temperature change to the IC thermal sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A bio-thermal sensor for detecting chemical substances contained in a sample solution, comprising:
- a membrane having an enzyme immobilized thereon and operative when exposed to a sample solution for generating heat due to enzymic reaction between the enzyme and a specific chemical substance contained in the sample solution; and
an IC thermal detector configured as a discrete chip having a thermally sensitive surface thereon for contactually supporting the membrane on the thermally sensitive surface to directly receive the heat generated in the membrane, the IC thermal detector including an integrated circuit for converting the receive heat into electricity to thereby produce an amplified output voltage indicative of the existence of the specific chemical substance in the sample solution. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- a membrane having an enzyme immobilized thereon and operative when exposed to a sample solution for generating heat due to enzymic reaction between the enzyme and a specific chemical substance contained in the sample solution; and
Specification