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Method for identifying and/or analyzing biological substances, present in a conductive liquid, device and affinity sensor used for implementing said method

  • US 6,475,728 B1
  • Filed: 03/31/2000
  • Issued: 11/05/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A apparatus for identifying and/or quantifying a charged biological substance in a conductive liquid medium, comprising:

  • a chamber for the conductive liquid medium;

    an affinity sensor disposed in said chamber;

    said affinity sensor comprising a semiconductor having an upper and a lower surface;

    said semiconductor having an ohmic contact disposed on its lower surface;

    an insulator layer disposed on the upper surface of said semiconductor;

    a plurality of probes in contact with said conductive liquid medium;

    said plurality of probes being disposed on the surface of said insulator layer;

    said plurality of probes comprising a recognition biological substance which is able to specifically hybridize with a charged biological substance present in the conductive liquid medium, whereby specific pairings of charged biological substances with their complementary recognition biological substances are formed;

    said specific pairings modifying the surface electric charge of the affinity sensor;

    means for biasing the semiconductor with respect to the conductive liquid medium;

    means for illuminating the semiconductor;

    means for measuring a photopotential Vph at the terminals of the affinity sensor;

    means for converting the detected signals into Vfb variations which are induced by a charge-effect phenomenon associated with said pairings modifying the surface electric charge of the affinity sensor; and

    means for calculating and interpreting the Δ

    Vfb variations in terms of the identification and/or quantitative determination of the charged biological substances.

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