Analytic sensor apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A sensor for detecting an analyte, comprising:
- a base member having a conductive electrical property;
a macromolecular layer, wherein said macromolecular layer and said base member define a sensor strip, macromolecules of said macromolecular layer being interactive at a level of specificity with a predetermined analyte, wherein electrical current is generated responsive to presence of the analyte; and
a semiconductive element situated between said base member and a detection unit that is connectable with said base member to establish a sensor circuit for detection of said electrical current.
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Abstract
A sensor for detecting analytes of interest is described. Analyte presence or concentration is determined through measurement of changes in induced electromotive force, current or other electrical property in a sensor strip during analyte exposure to the sensor. According to one class of embodiments, the present device immobilizes natural or synthetic macromolecules sufficiently close to an electrically-conductive base member to insure that interaction of analyte with the macromolecules will lead to altered de novo electrical signals in the sensor strip of base member and macromolecules. Performance of the sensor is enhanced by the use of resistance-modifying element in a circuit that includes the sensor strip, and by an adhesive agent disposed between the base member and at least one electrical lead of a detection unit.
44 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A sensor for detecting an analyte, comprising:
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a base member having a conductive electrical property;
a macromolecular layer, wherein said macromolecular layer and said base member define a sensor strip, macromolecules of said macromolecular layer being interactive at a level of specificity with a predetermined analyte, wherein electrical current is generated responsive to presence of the analyte; and
a semiconductive element situated between said base member and a detection unit that is connectable with said base member to establish a sensor circuit for detection of said electrical current. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for detecting a predetermined analyte, comprising the steps of:
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providing an electrically conductive base member;
forming a macromolecular layer in proximity to said base member, wherein macromolecules of said macromolecular layer are interactive with said predetermined analyte, said base member and said macromolecular layer defining a sensor strip;
exposing said predetermined analyte to said macromolecular layer;
establishing a closed electrical circuit comprising said base member, a detection unit and at least one semiconductive element;
detecting an electrical current generated in said electrical circuit, said current being responsive to presence of said predetermined analyte. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
disposing a chemical entity proximate said base member; and
forming said macromolecular layer proximate said chemical entity.
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21. The method according to any of claim 19, wherein said step of detecting is performed by equipotentially coupling electrodes of said detection unit to said sensor strip.
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22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said step of coupling is performed by passively contacting said electrodes to said sensor strip.
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23. The method according to claim 21, wherein said semiconductive element is an organic semiconductor physically associated with one of said electrodes.
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24. The method according to any of claim 19, wherein said semiconductive element is an organic semiconductor physically associated with said sensor strip.
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25. The method according to any of claim 19, further comprising the step of disposing a packaging layer above said macromolecular layer, said packaging layer being soluble in a medium that contains said predetermined analyte.
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26. The method according to claim 19, wherein said sensor strip comprises a plurality of sensor strips.
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27. The method according to claim 19, further comprising the step of conducting said current to a device that is external to said sensor strip.
Specification