Device and method for detection and identification of biological agents
First Claim
1. A method for forming an optical sensor for sensing the presence of a target agent in a sample, the method comprising:
- interfering a first coherent beam and a second coherent beam within a polymerizable polymer-dispersed liquid crystal material to form a polymerized hologram containing liquid crystals within a polymer matrix;
extracting the liquid crystals from the polymer matrix to form pores therein;
chemically activating binding sites within the pores for attaching a detector molecule thereon; and
attaching a detector molecule to the binding sites within the pores for sensing the presence of target agent in a sample.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of sensing an environmental agent, comprising obtaining a sample from the environment and transferring the sample into the working fluid for dispensation to a detection module. The sample and working fluid mixture is filtered through a porous polymer Bragg grating. By comparing the refractive index of the grating with the mixture to the refractive index of a grating without the sample, a difference in the refractive index aids in the identification of a hazardous agent in the environment. The sensor also acts as a chemical filter by trapping specific target agents by a highly specific reaction with a conjugate molecule. Recirculation of the working fluid throughout the system provides a sensor that is “always on.”
201 Citations
4 Claims
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1. A method for forming an optical sensor for sensing the presence of a target agent in a sample, the method comprising:
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interfering a first coherent beam and a second coherent beam within a polymerizable polymer-dispersed liquid crystal material to form a polymerized hologram containing liquid crystals within a polymer matrix; extracting the liquid crystals from the polymer matrix to form pores therein; chemically activating binding sites within the pores for attaching a detector molecule thereon; and attaching a detector molecule to the binding sites within the pores for sensing the presence of target agent in a sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification