Resonant bio-assay device and test system for detecting molecular binding events
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A bio-assay device configured to detect a molecular binding event between a ligand and an antiligand, the bio-assay device comprising:
- (i) a signal path operable to support the propagation of a test signal at one or more frequencies between 10 MHz and 1000 GHz, said signal path comprising;
an electrically conductive transmission line, a ground element, and a dielectric layer interposed between said electrically conductive transmission line and said ground element; and
(ii) a molecular binding region electromagnetically coupled to said signal path, said molecular binding region comprising said antiligand operable to bind said ligand;
wherein said signal path and said molecular binding region form part of a resonant structure, wherein said resonant structure has a first resonant frequency fres1 in the absence of a molecular binding event between said ligand and said antiligand and a second resonant frequency fres2 in the presence of said molecular binding event, and wherein said molecular binding region is located between at least a portion of said electrically conductive transmission line and at least a portion of said ground element.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are presented for detecting molecular binding events and other environmental effects using the unique dielectric properties of the bound molecular structure or structures. A molecular binding region is coupled along the surface of a signal path. A test signal is propagated along the signal path, whereby the test signal couples to the molecular binding region, and in response, exhibits a signal response.
-
Citations
11 Claims
-
1. A bio-assay device configured to detect a molecular binding event between a ligand and an antiligand, the bio-assay device comprising:
-
(i) a signal path operable to support the propagation of a test signal at one or more frequencies between 10 MHz and 1000 GHz, said signal path comprising;
an electrically conductive transmission line, a ground element, and a dielectric layer interposed between said electrically conductive transmission line and said ground element; and
(ii) a molecular binding region electromagnetically coupled to said signal path, said molecular binding region comprising said antiligand operable to bind said ligand;
wherein said signal path and said molecular binding region form part of a resonant structure, wherein said resonant structure has a first resonant frequency fres1 in the absence of a molecular binding event between said ligand and said antiligand and a second resonant frequency fres2 in the presence of said molecular binding event, and wherein said molecular binding region is located between at least a portion of said electrically conductive transmission line and at least a portion of said ground element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
an input port coupled to said signal path, said input port comprising;
a first signal conductor coupled to said transmission line; and
a first ground conductor coupled to said ground element; and
an output port coupled to said signal path, said output port comprising;
a second output signal conductor coupled to said transmission line; and
a second ground conductor coupled to said ground element.
-
-
3. The bio-assay device of claim 1, wherein said molecular binding region is formed along at least a portion of said electrically conductive transmission line.
-
4. The bio-assay device of claim 1, wherein said molecular binding region is formed along at least a portion of said ground element.
-
5. The bio-assay device of claim 1, wherein said transmission line is physically separated from said ligand.
-
6. The bio-assay device of claim 1, wherein said test signal comprises a signal at one or more frequencies from 45 MHz to 20 GHz.
-
7. The bio-assay device of claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive transmission line comprises a derivatized surface and said antiligand is attached to said derivatized surface.
-
8. A bio-assay test system configured to detect the presence or absence of a molecular binding event between a ligand and an antiligand, the system comprising:
-
(i) a signal source operable to provide a test signal at one or more frequencies between 10 MHz and 1000 GHz;
(ii) a bio-assay device, comprising;
(a) a signal path operable to support the propagation of said test signal, said signal path comprising;
an electrically conductive transmission line, a ground element, and a dielectric layer interposed between said electrically conductive transmission line and said ground element; and
(b) a molecular binding region electromagnetically coupled to said signal path, said molecular binding region comprising said antiligand operable to bind to said ligand; and
(iii) a signal detector coupled to said bio-assay device, wherein said signal path and said molecular binding region form a resonant structure having a first resonant frequency fres1 in the absence of a molecular binding event between said ligand and said antiligand and a second resonant frequency fres2 in the presence of said molecular binding event, and wherein said molecular binding region is located between at least a portion of said electrically conductive transmission line and at least a portion of said ground element. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
-
Specification