Electromagnetic sensor
First Claim
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1. A sensor for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample, comprising:
- (1) one or a plurality of base members, each having an electrically-conductive property;
(2) at least one macromolecular entity disposed proximate each base member and interactive at a level of specificity with a predetermined analyte, electron motions induced in said base member and responsive to the interaction of said macromolecular entity with analyte;
(3) a detection unit for detecting said induced electron motions.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a sensor for analyte detection. The sensor makes use of changes in electrostatic fields associated with macromolecular binding agents during their interaction with analytes. Specifically, analyte presence leads to increases in magnetic flux generated by the motions of the binding agent electrostatic material. Magnetic or induced electrical signals may be monitored for change in order to detect analyte in a sample of interest.
47 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A sensor for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample, comprising:
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(1) one or a plurality of base members, each having an electrically-conductive property;
(2) at least one macromolecular entity disposed proximate each base member and interactive at a level of specificity with a predetermined analyte, electron motions induced in said base member and responsive to the interaction of said macromolecular entity with analyte;
(3) a detection unit for detecting said induced electron motions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for determining presence of an analyte in a sample, comprising the following steps:
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(1) providing one or a plurality of electrically conductive base members;
(2) immobilizing at least one macromolecule in proximity to each base member, wherein said macromolecule is capable of interacting at a level of specificity with a predetermined analyte;
(3) exposing sample to at least one base member-macromolecule sensor strip;
(5) detecting by any means induced motions of electrons in each base member, and said induced electron motions are responsive to analyte presence; and
(6) comparing a signal caused by said induced electron motions to a known background signal determined in a sample that lacks analyte. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
13.The method according to claim 11, wherein said macromolecule comprises a first macromolecule capable of interacting at a first specificity and a second macromolecule capable of interacting at a second specificity for the detection of at least one analyte. -
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said step of detecting a signal is performed by contacting electrical leads of a detection unit to the conductive layer and the base member at no more than two positions.
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14. The method according to claim 12, wherein an electrode wire is brought into proximity to each conductive layer.
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15. The method according to claim 11, wherein each base member is a conducting foil, coating, thin-film, ink, or solid piece.
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16. The method according to claim 12, wherein said conductive layer has a semiconductive property.
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17. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of disposing a packaging layer above said macromolecules, said packaging layer being soluble in the sample medium.
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18. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of processing said signal or a component thereof.
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19. The method in accordance with claim 11, further comprising the steps of:
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removing a portion of said sensor strip; and
submitting said removed portion to a detection system for analysis thereof.
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Specification