Sensing device and method using photo-induced charge movements
First Claim
1. A method for detecting the presence of a target substance in a solution comprising the steps of:
- providing a sensing device that directly detects and quantifies photo-induced charge movements, said sensing device comprising a dye disposed on a surface;
said photo-induced charge movements consisting of the movement of ejected electrons, protons or OH−
ions from said dye, thereby producing an electrical signal, said ejected electrons, protons or OH−
ions resulting from illumination of said dye which is in contact with said target substance;
placing said target substance in contact with said dye;
illuminating said dye;
detecting, quantifying and analyzing said photo-induced charge movements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device and method which comprises a sensing surface on a membrane, solid surface or electrode, where the sensing surface contains a dye or chromophore chosen in relation to a particular target substance to be detected and quantified. The dye or chromophore is of a type which produces an electrical signal upon illumination. The particular dye or chromophore chosen for a particular target substance is one in which the presence of the target substance causes a change in the electrical signal produced. The presence of the target substance modifies the expected photo-induced charge movements (PICM) produced by the sensing surface upon illumination. The photo-induced charge movements produce signals which are detected by electronic circuits, and the presence and concentration of the target substance is determined by analyzing the difference between the PICM of the target sample versus the PICM of a control sample lacking the target substance.
19 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method for detecting the presence of a target substance in a solution comprising the steps of:
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providing a sensing device that directly detects and quantifies photo-induced charge movements, said sensing device comprising a dye disposed on a surface; said photo-induced charge movements consisting of the movement of ejected electrons, protons or OH−
ions from said dye, thereby producing an electrical signal, said ejected electrons, protons or OH−
ions resulting from illumination of said dye which is in contact with said target substance;placing said target substance in contact with said dye; illuminating said dye; detecting, quantifying and analyzing said photo-induced charge movements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for detecting the presence of a target substance in a solution comprising the steps of:
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providing a sensing device that directly detects and quantifies photo-induced charge movements, said sensing device comprising a dye adsorbed on an electrode surface; said photo-induced charge movements consisting of the movement of ejected electrons, protons or OH−
ions from said dye, thereby producing an electrical signal, said ejected electrons, protons or OH−
ions resulting from illumination of said dye which is in contact with said target substance;choosing a dye which produces photo-induced charge movements upon illumination and which produces a different amount of photo-induced charge movements upon illumination when in contact with said target substance; adsorbing said dye onto a substrate; illuminating said dye; directly detecting, quantifying and analyzing the photo-induced charge movements resulting from illumination of said dye when not in contact with said target substance to provide a baseline value; placing said target substance in solution in contact with said dye; illuminating said dye; directly detecting, quantifying and analyzing the photo-induced charge movements resulting from illumination of said dye when in contact with said target substance; comparing the baseline value results from illumination of said dye when not in contact with said target substance to the results obtained from illumination of said dye when in contact with said target substance to determine if said target substance is present. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification