Apparatus, system, and method of detecting an analyte utilizing pyroelectric technology
First Claim
1. A method of detecting the presence of a target analyte in a sample environment utilizing a reagent deposit reactive to exposure to the target analyte and said reagent deposit further characterized by a capacity to absorb electromagnetic energy irradiated thereupon, wherein an absorption capacity of the reagent deposit changes after exposure to the target analyte, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a transparent substrate having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, and a reagent deposit supported on one of either the first or second surfaces;
positioning an electromagnetic energy emitting source (EM source) relative to the transparent substrate such that the second surface is positioned intermediate the first surface and the EM source;
positioning a pyroelectric transducer for detecting energy absorbed by the reagent deposit adjacent the reagent deposit;
directing a sample environment past the reagent deposit, thereby initiating a reaction between the reagent deposit and any target analyte in the sample environment;
operating the EM source to irradiate the reagent deposit by way of a path directed through the transparent substrate; and
,utilizing the pyroelectric transducer to detect the energy absorbed by the reagent deposit upon irradiation by the EM source and generate output signals corresponding with a measure of the detected energy, such that the output signal corresponds with the degree of exposure of the target analyte to the reagent deposit;
wherein the reagent deposit is spaced apart from the pyroelectric transducer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for the measurement of a target analyte is provided including a detection apparatus and a reading apparatus. The detection apparatus, or “carrier”, includes a pyroelectric transducer (“pyroelectric film”) and one or more reagent concentrations (“reagent deposit”) deposited on the film. The reagent deposits are adapted to react with, and thus, detect the presence of a target analyte present in the local environment. Upon detection of the target analyte by the reagent deposit, the reading apparatus and the pyroelectric film may be used to detect the amount of heat that can be absorbed by the reagent deposit in response to irradiation. The pyroelectric film then delivers to the reader a signal corresponding to heat detected and the reader provides a corresponding indication of the concentration of the target substance detected.
23 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of detecting the presence of a target analyte in a sample environment utilizing a reagent deposit reactive to exposure to the target analyte and said reagent deposit further characterized by a capacity to absorb electromagnetic energy irradiated thereupon, wherein an absorption capacity of the reagent deposit changes after exposure to the target analyte, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a transparent substrate having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, and a reagent deposit supported on one of either the first or second surfaces; positioning an electromagnetic energy emitting source (EM source) relative to the transparent substrate such that the second surface is positioned intermediate the first surface and the EM source; positioning a pyroelectric transducer for detecting energy absorbed by the reagent deposit adjacent the reagent deposit; directing a sample environment past the reagent deposit, thereby initiating a reaction between the reagent deposit and any target analyte in the sample environment; operating the EM source to irradiate the reagent deposit by way of a path directed through the transparent substrate; and
,utilizing the pyroelectric transducer to detect the energy absorbed by the reagent deposit upon irradiation by the EM source and generate output signals corresponding with a measure of the detected energy, such that the output signal corresponds with the degree of exposure of the target analyte to the reagent deposit;
wherein the reagent deposit is spaced apart from the pyroelectric transducer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification