Multi-site detection apparatus
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for identifying molecular structures within a sample substance, comprising:
- a plurality of test sites formed in a single substrate, said test sites having respective probes attached thereto which specifically bind to a target molecular structure, such that different test sites have probes which specifically bind to different target molecular structures;
a plurality of electrodes associated with the test sites, each test site having at least one electrode attached thereto for electrical coupling with a second electrode, wherein the one electrode and the second electrode are disposed adjacent to said test sites to form a capacitor in conjunction with the sample substance;
circuitry, coupled to said electrodes, for applying an electronic signal to the test sites at multiple frequencies; and
circuitry for detecting one of a plurality of frequency dependent electrical properties of the test sites to determine which probes have bound to an associated target molecular structure by measuring a dielectric property over a range of frequencies, wherein the plurality of frequency dependent electrical properties comprises permittivity, a dielectric relaxation frequency, and a dispersion of the test sites.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for identifying molecular structures within a sample substance using an array having a plurality of test sites upon which the sample substance is applied. Each test site includes a probe formed therein to bond with an associated target molecular structure. An electrical signal is applied to the test site and the electrical properties of the test sites are detected to determine which probes have bonded to an associated target molecular structure.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. Apparatus for identifying molecular structures within a sample substance, comprising:
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a plurality of test sites formed in a single substrate, said test sites having respective probes attached thereto which specifically bind to a target molecular structure, such that different test sites have probes which specifically bind to different target molecular structures; a plurality of electrodes associated with the test sites, each test site having at least one electrode attached thereto for electrical coupling with a second electrode, wherein the one electrode and the second electrode are disposed adjacent to said test sites to form a capacitor in conjunction with the sample substance; circuitry, coupled to said electrodes, for applying an electronic signal to the test sites at multiple frequencies; and circuitry for detecting one of a plurality of frequency dependent electrical properties of the test sites to determine which probes have bound to an associated target molecular structure by measuring a dielectric property over a range of frequencies, wherein the plurality of frequency dependent electrical properties comprises permittivity, a dielectric relaxation frequency, and a dispersion of the test sites. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An integrated circuit for identifying molecular structures within a sample substance, comprising:
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a plurality of test sites formed in a single substrate; a plurality of electrodes associated with the test sites, each test site having at least one electrode attached thereto for electrical coupling with a second electrode, wherein the one electrode and the second electrode are disposed adjacent to said test sites to form a capacitor in conjunction with the sample substance; probes attached to respective test sites, said probes being of various structures in order to specifically bind with respective predetermined molecular structures; and circuitry, coupled to said electrodes, for measuring capacitive parameters at multiple frequencies detect one of a plurality of frequency dependent electrical properties of the test sites to determine whether the probes associated with the test sites have bound with the respective predetermined molecular structures, wherein the plurality of frequency dependent electrical properties of the test sites comprises permittivity a dielectric relaxation frequency, and a dispersion of the tests sites. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. Apparatus for identifying molecular structures within a sample substance, comprising:
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a plurality of test sites formed in a single substrate, said test sites having respective probes attached thereto which specifically bind to a target molecular structure, such that different test sites have probes which specifically bind to different target molecular structures; a plurality of electrodes associated with the test sites, each test site having at least one electrode formed therein for electrical coupling with a second electrode, wherein the one electrode and the second electrode are disposed adjacent to said test sites to form a capacitor in conjunction with the sample substance; circuitry, coupled to said electrodes, for applying an electronic signal to the test sites over a range of frequencies; and circuitry for detecting capacitive parameters of the test sites within said range of frequencies to determine a relaxation frequency and comparing said relaxation frequency to a known frequency for a test site with unbound probes to determine which probes have bound to an associated target molecular structure.
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27. Apparatus for identifying molecular structures within a sample substance, comprising:
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a plurality of test sites formed as respective wells in a single substrate, said test sites having respective probes attached to said wells to specifically bind to an associated target molecular structure, such that different test sites have probes which specifically bind to different target molecular structures; a plurality of electrodes formed on sidewalls of said wells; a ground plate common to each well for providing a capacitive coupling to said electrodes; circuitry, coupled to said electrodes, for applying an electronic signal to the test sites over a range of frequencies; and circuitry for detecting one of a plurality of frequency dependent electrical properties of the test sites by measuring capacitive parameters and dissipation of the test sites at multiple frequencies to determine which probes have bonded to an associated target molecular structure, wherein the plurality of frequency dependent electrical properties comprises permittivity, a dielectric relaxation frequency, and a dispersion of the test sites,
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28. Apparatus for identifying molecular structures within a sample substance, comprising:
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a plurality of test sites formed in a single substrate, said test sites attached to respective probes which specifically bind to a target molecular structure, such that different test sites have probes which specifically bind to different target molecular structures; a plurality of electrodes associated with the test sites, each test site having a least one electrode formed therein for electrical coupling with a second electrode, wherein the one electrode and the second electrode are disposed adjacent to said test sites to form a capacitor in conjunction with the sample substance; circuitry, coupled to said electrodes, for applying an electronic signal to the test sites at multiple frequencies; and circuitry for detecting a frequency dependent capacitive property of the test sites by measuring capacitive parameters of the test sites at multiple frequencies to determine which probes have bound to an associated target molecular structure, wherein the frequency despondent capacitive property of the tests sites is permittivity.
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29. An integrated circuit for identifying molecular structures within a sample substance, comprising:
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a plurality of test sites formed in a single substrate; a plurality of electrodes associated with the test sites, each test site having at least one electrode formed therein for electrical coupling with a second electrode, wherein the one electrode and the second electrode are disposed adjacent to said test sites to form a capacitor in conjunction with the sample substance; probes attached to respective test sites, said probes being of various structures in order to specifically bind with respective predetermined molecular structures; and circuitry, coupled to said electrodes, for detecting a frequency dependent capacitive property of the test sites by measuring capacitive parameters at multiple frequencies to determine whether the probes associated with the test sites have bound with the respective predetermined molecular structures, wherein the frequency dependent capacitive property of the tests sites is a dielectric relaxation frequency of the test sites.
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30. An integrated circuit for identifying molecular structures within a sample substance, comprising:
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a plurality of test sites formed in a single substrate; a plurality of electrodes associated with the test sites, each test site having at least one electrode formed therein for electrical coupling with a second electrode, wherein the one electrode and the second electrode are disposed adjacent to said test sites to form a capacitor in conjunction with the sample substance; probes attached to respective test sites, said probes being of various structures in order to specifically bind with respective predetermined molecular structures; and circuitry, coupled to said electrodes, for detecting a frequency dependent capacitive property of the test sites by measuring capacitive parameters at multiple frequencies to determine whether the probes associated with the test sites have bound with the respective predetermined molecular structures, wherein the frequency dependent capacitive property of the tests sites is a dispersion of the test sites.
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Specification