Magnetic sensor device, method of operating such a device and sample
First Claim
1. A sensor device for detecting the presence of a target molecule in a stationary sample, the sensor device comprising:
- a measurement sensor including a first moiety including a measurement region of a substrate including a first moiety, which is a paratope, which selectively binds to an epitope of the target molecule including a further epitope, which can bind with a paratope present on a first further moiety comprising a detectable label, wherein an amount of the first further moiety binding to the first moiety is related to an amount of the target molecule present in said sample, the measurement sensor being configured to generate a first detection signal in response to detection of the detectable label in the first further moiety bound to the first moiety; and
a reference sensor including a reference region of the substrate including a second moiety which selectively binds to a second further moiety including a further detectable label, the reference sensor being configured to generate a second detection signal in response to detection of the further detectable label in the second further moiety bound to the second moiety;
a signal processor configured to;
during operation of the sensor device, determine whether the second detection signal falls within a signal value window corresponding to a predefined amount of the second further moiety binding to the second moiety; and
in response to the second detection signal falling outside the signal value window, generating a failure signal indicative of any of completion failure of the assay, insufficient fluid added to the test, incorrect preparation of the actuation protocol of the assay, lack of magnetic particles in the cartridge, failure of dry agents to disperse, unusually high clusters of magnetic particles, extensive reagent degradation, integrated reagent deterioration, or a damaged assay cartridge; and
a speaker or display which issues an audible or visible output in response to the failure signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor device (1) for detecting the presence of a target molecule (20) in a sample, is disclosed. The sensor device comprises a measurement sensor (2) comprising a first moiety (16) for forming a binding couple with a first further moiety comprising the target molecule (20) and a detectable label (40) and a reference sensor (3) comprising a second moiety (50) for forming a further binding couple with a second further moiety comprising a further detectable label (40′). The sensor device is adapted to generate a first detection signal (14) from the detection of the detectable label (40) in the first further moiety bound to the first moiety (16) and to generate a second detection signal (14′) from the detection of the further detectable label (40′) in the second further moiety bound to the second moiety (50), wherein at least during operation of the sensor device the second further moiety is expected to be present in a predefined amount such that the value of the second detection signal (14′) falls within an expected signal value window when the binding reaction of the second further moiety to the second moiety takes place as expected. An apparatus comprising such a sensor device, methods of operating the sensor device and apparatus and a sample for use with the sensor device are also disclosed.
8 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A sensor device for detecting the presence of a target molecule in a stationary sample, the sensor device comprising:
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a measurement sensor including a first moiety including a measurement region of a substrate including a first moiety, which is a paratope, which selectively binds to an epitope of the target molecule including a further epitope, which can bind with a paratope present on a first further moiety comprising a detectable label, wherein an amount of the first further moiety binding to the first moiety is related to an amount of the target molecule present in said sample, the measurement sensor being configured to generate a first detection signal in response to detection of the detectable label in the first further moiety bound to the first moiety; and a reference sensor including a reference region of the substrate including a second moiety which selectively binds to a second further moiety including a further detectable label, the reference sensor being configured to generate a second detection signal in response to detection of the further detectable label in the second further moiety bound to the second moiety; a signal processor configured to; during operation of the sensor device, determine whether the second detection signal falls within a signal value window corresponding to a predefined amount of the second further moiety binding to the second moiety; and in response to the second detection signal falling outside the signal value window, generating a failure signal indicative of any of completion failure of the assay, insufficient fluid added to the test, incorrect preparation of the actuation protocol of the assay, lack of magnetic particles in the cartridge, failure of dry agents to disperse, unusually high clusters of magnetic particles, extensive reagent degradation, integrated reagent deterioration, or a damaged assay cartridge; and a speaker or display which issues an audible or visible output in response to the failure signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification