Method and apparatus for the delivery of samples to a chemical sensor array
First Claim
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1. A system for detecting an analyte in a fluid comprising:
- a light source;
a sensor array, the sensor array comprising a supporting member comprising at least one cavity formed within the supporting member;
a particle, the particle positioned in the cavity, wherein the particle produces a signal when the particle interacts with an analyte during use;
a vacuum apparatus at least partially incorporated into the supporting member, wherein the vacuum apparatus is coupled to the cavity, and wherein the vacuum apparatus produces a vacuum in the cavity such that the produced vacuum pulls fluid through the cavity during use, and wherein the vacuum apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber, and wherein the vacuum chamber comprises a breakable barrier positioned between the chamber and the cavity, and wherein the chamber applies a vacuum to the cavity when the breakable barrier is punctured; and
a detector, the detector being configured to detect the signal produced by the interaction of the analyte with the particle during use;
wherein the light source and detector are positioned such that light passes from the light source, to the particle, and onto the detector during use.
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Abstract
A system for the rapid characterization of multi-analyte fluids, in one embodiment, includes a light source, a sensor array, and a detector. The sensor array is formed from a supporting member into which a plurality of cavities may be formed. A series of chemically sensitive particles are, in one embodiment positioned within the cavities. The particles may be configured to produce a signal when a receptor coupled to the particle interacts with the analyte. Using pattern recognition techniques, the analytes within a multi-analyte fluid may be characterized.
215 Citations
56 Claims
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1. A system for detecting an analyte in a fluid comprising:
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a light source; a sensor array, the sensor array comprising a supporting member comprising at least one cavity formed within the supporting member; a particle, the particle positioned in the cavity, wherein the particle produces a signal when the particle interacts with an analyte during use; a vacuum apparatus at least partially incorporated into the supporting member, wherein the vacuum apparatus is coupled to the cavity, and wherein the vacuum apparatus produces a vacuum in the cavity such that the produced vacuum pulls fluid through the cavity during use, and wherein the vacuum apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber, and wherein the vacuum chamber comprises a breakable barrier positioned between the chamber and the cavity, and wherein the chamber applies a vacuum to the cavity when the breakable barrier is punctured; and a detector, the detector being configured to detect the signal produced by the interaction of the analyte with the particle during use; wherein the light source and detector are positioned such that light passes from the light source, to the particle, and onto the detector during use. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A system for detecting an analyte in a fluid comprising:
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a sensor array, the sensor array comprising a supporting member comprising at least one cavity formed within the supporting member; a particle, the particle positioned within the cavity, wherein the particle produces a signal when the particle interacts with an analyte during use; a vacuum apparatus at least partially incorporated into the supporting member, wherein the vacuum apparatus is coupled to the cavity, and wherein the vacuum apparatus produces a vacuum in the cavity such that the produced vacuum pulls fluid through the cavity during use, and wherein the vacuum apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber, and wherein the vacuum chamber comprises a breakable barrier positioned between the chamber and the cavity, and wherein the chamber applies a vacuum to the cavity when the breakable barrier is punctured; and a detector, the detector being configured to detect the signal produced by the interaction of the analyte with the particle during use. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56)
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Specification