Paper substrate diagnostic apparatus and related methods and systems

• US 9,739,747 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2015
• Issued: 08/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Laurenson, Sophie
• Primary Examiner(s): Sines, Brian J
• Application Number:
  US14/920,222
• Publication Number:
  US 20160116427A1
• Time in Patent Office: 670 Days
• Field of Search: 422 681, 422 50, 422425, 422426, 422 8201, 422 8202, 422502, 422503, 436 43
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/141 Preventing contamination, tampering
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/142 Preventing evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/022 Transponder chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/023 Sending and receiving of information, e.g. using bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/024 Storing results with means integrated into the container
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0645 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/089 Virtual walls for guiding liquids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/126 Paper
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/161 Control and use of surface tension forces, e.g. hydrophobic, hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502707 characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components by shaping or joining plastic parts B29C59/00, B29C65/00; by laminating B32B37/00; manufacture of microstructural devices in general B81C
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 5/00 Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 7/58 No clear coat specified
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/327 Biochemical electrodes , e.g. electrical or mechanical details for in vitro measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/3275 Sensing specific biomolecules, e.g. nucleic acid strands, based on an electrode surface reaction

Abstract

Example paper substrate diagnostic apparatus and related methods and systems are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a hydrophobic substrate having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The apparatus includes a detection zone on a first surface of the substrate, the detection zone defining an area to sense an analyte in a sample, the detection zone comprising a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on the first surface of the substrate and a layer of hydrophilic ink disposed on the two electrodes and an area between the first and second electrodes. The apparatus also includes a channel comprising hydrophilic ink disposed on the first surface of the substrate, the channel having an inlet section adjacent the first end of the substrate, a middle section, and an outlet section in contact with the layer of hydrophilic ink. The channel is to transfer a fluid sample from the inlet section to the layer of hydrophilic ink.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a hydrophobic substrate having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

a detection zone on a first surface of the substrate, the detection zone defining an area to sense an analyte in a sample, the detection zone comprising;

a first electrode and a second electrode disposed on the first surface of the substrate; and

a layer of hydrophilic ink disposed on the first and second electrodes and an area between the first and second electrodes; and

a channel comprising hydrophilic ink disposed on the first surface of the substrate, the channel having an inlet section adjacent the first end of the substrate, a middle section, and an outlet section in contact with the layer of hydrophilic ink, the channel to transfer a fluid sample from the inlet section to the layer of hydrophilic ink.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a reagent layer disposed on a top surface of the first electrode, between the first electrode and the layer of hydrophilic ink.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first electrode is functionalized with a reagent.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic ink comprises micro-beads or nano-beads and a binder to adhere the micro-beads or nano-beads to the first surface of the substrate.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the binder comprises at least one of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), or nanofiber cellulose (NFC).

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a first contact disposed on the first surface of the substrate, the first contact electrically coupled to the first electrode;

a second contact disposed on the first surface of the substrate, the second contact electrically coupled to the second electrode; and

a reader comprising;

a slot to receive at least a portion of the substrate including the first contact and the second contact;

electrical connectors to receive signals from the first contact and the second contact; and

a processor to determine one or more of amperometric, voltammetric, or potentiometric measurements to sense a biomolecular interaction occurring in the detection zone via the first and second electrodes.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the detection zone further comprises a third electrode and the processor is to sense the biomolecular interaction by comparing (1) a difference in the first and second electrodes and (2) a difference in the second and third electrodes.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the detection zone comprises a plurality of additional electrodes, and the processor is to determine a plurality of measurements using the plurality of additional electrodes.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises paper.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate is flexible and printable.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second electrode is disposed closer to the first end of the substrate than the first electrode, the second electrode being a ground electrode.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a regent disposed between the first surface and the layer of hydrophilic ink.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a reagent disposed between the first surface and the channel.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the substrate includes a recess formed in the first surface, the channel disposed in the recess.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the channel is substantially even with the first surface adjacent the recess.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first electrode, the second electrode and the layer of hydrophilic ink are disposed in the recess.