Nano-porous membrane based sensors
First Claim
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1. A sensor, comprising:
- a solid substrate having a top surface;
a nano-porous membrane situated at the top surface of the solid substrate, the membrane including a plurality of nano-pores that do not extend through the nano-porous membrane, the membrane including a first sensitizing agent for detection of a target compound, the first sensitizing agent being immobilized within a first set of nano-pores, thereby defining a sensitized portion of the membrane;
a first conductor electrically coupled to the first sensitizing agent immobilized in the first set of nano-pores defined in the membrane, the first conductor situated on the top surface of the solid substrate and in contact with the sensitized portion of the membrane, the first conductor outputting an electrical signal associated with detection of the target compound; and
an electrical signal detector for receiving the electrical signal to allow evaluation of the electrical signal following administration of a test specimen to the sensor.
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Abstract
Sensors include nano-porous alumina membranes that are sensitized by immobilization of antibodies in the nano-pores. The nano-membranes can be sensitized to respond to a single target compound, or different portions of the nano-membrane can be differently sensitized. Capture of the target compound can be detected based on a spectral signature associated with electrical conductance in the nano-pores.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A sensor, comprising:
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a solid substrate having a top surface; a nano-porous membrane situated at the top surface of the solid substrate, the membrane including a plurality of nano-pores that do not extend through the nano-porous membrane, the membrane including a first sensitizing agent for detection of a target compound, the first sensitizing agent being immobilized within a first set of nano-pores, thereby defining a sensitized portion of the membrane; a first conductor electrically coupled to the first sensitizing agent immobilized in the first set of nano-pores defined in the membrane, the first conductor situated on the top surface of the solid substrate and in contact with the sensitized portion of the membrane, the first conductor outputting an electrical signal associated with detection of the target compound; and an electrical signal detector for receiving the electrical signal to allow evaluation of the electrical signal following administration of a test specimen to the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 21)
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12. An apparatus, comprising:
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a base substrate having a plurality of conductor segments defined thereon; a nano-porous membrane secured to the base substrate, the nano-porous membrane including a plurality of sensitized nano-pores that do not extend through the nano-porous membrane, each nano-pore having a sensitizer for detection of a target compound, the sensitizer being immobilized within the nano-pore, and the sensitizer electrically coupled to a corresponding conductor segment which outputs an electrical signal associated with detection of the target compound; a fluid chamber for receiving a test fluid and communicating the test fluid to the sensitized nano-pores; and an electrical signal detector for receiving the electrical signal, thereby allowing evaluation of the electrical signal associated with administration of a test specimen to the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 22, 23)
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16. A method, comprising:
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administering a test specimen to a sensor comprising a solid substrate having a top surface, a nano-porous membrane situated at the top surface of the solid substrate, the membrane including a plurality of nano-pores that do not extend through the nano-porous membrane, the membrane including a first sensitizing agent for detection of a target compound, the first sensitizing agent being immobilized within a first nano-pore so as to define a sensitized portion of the membrane, and a first conductor electrically coupled to the first sensitizing agent immobilized in the first nano-pore defined in the membrane, the first conductor situated on the top surface of the solid substrate and in contact with the sensitized portion of the membrane; and evaluating an electrical signal detector for a detected electrical signal to determine presence or absence of the target compound in the test specimen. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 24)
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20. A method, comprising:
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administering a test specimen to a sensor comprising a solid substrate having a top surface, a nano-porous alumina membrane situated at the top surface of the solid substrate, the membrane including a plurality of nano-pores that do not extend through the nano-porous membrane, the membrane including a first sensitizing agent for detection of a target compound, the first sensitizing agent being immobilized within a first set of nano-pores so as to define a sensitized portion of the membrane, and a first conductor electrically coupled to the first sensitizing agent immobilized in the first set of nano-pores defined in the membrane, the first conductor situated on the top surface of the solid substrate and in contact with the sensitized portion of the membrane; evaluating an electrical signal associated with administration of the test specimen to the sensor; and assessing the test specimen based on the evaluation.
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Specification