Piezoelectric ceramic sensor and sensor array for detection of molecular makers

Abstract

A sensor is provided for the detection of a marker in a sample in which the sensor includes a high frequency 500 kHz-1 GHz piezoelectric ceramic resonator, with the system measuring resonant frequency change. In one embodiment, the piezoelectric sensor operates in the thickness extensional (TE) mode, with the high frequency and TE mode permitting fabrication of an exceptionally small size sensor capable of being arrayed in a handheld unit.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This Application claims rights under 35 USC §119(e) from U.S. Application Ser. No. 61 / 103,268 filed Nov. 20, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to a high-frequency ceramic piezoelectric sensor and sensor array for detection and analysis of molecular markers in various samples by detecting the change in frequency before and after sample introduction using either a dry condition or a wet condition process.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSensor Technology[0003]Sensors are analytical devices composed of a recognition element coupled to a physical transducer measuring mass or optical, electrochemical or thermal properties for qualitative and quantitative detection of analytes.[0004]Sensors have wide applications in: medical, food, industrial, environmental and biodefense areas.[0005]The increasing trend in healthcare strives for early detection for disease screening and prevention. The in...

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Benefits of technology

[0069]Ceramics are available at lower cost than quartz, which is a very important consideration for medical diagnostic applications. Versatility is another key feature of the materials, as compositions are selected and modified to achieve a desirable combination

Problems solved by technology

While the demand for sensors in each of the above five areas increases at a high annual rate, the applications in the medical area overshadows the other seemingly important application areas.

Nevertheless, as the sensitivity of piezoelectric sensors depends on the oscillating frequency and the area and thickness of the material, there are technical difficulties in producing thinner, smaller quartz devices with higher frequency.

These physical barriers limit the application of quartz crystal sensors due to their low sensitivity and high cost.

However, quartz microbalances have the sensitivity problems noted above, and as compared with the subject ceramic-based product, the differences are as follows:

However, due to the sensitivity problems noted above, it uses complicated steps for analyzing the presence of a target in the sample through indirect measurement of mass changes.

This setup is used due to the low sensitivity of the setup for direct mass detection that would require amplification using a signal generating product deposit on the sensor surface.

Besides, the complicated procedures described by WO 91/05261 may not be directly applicable in clinical diagnostics, as simplicity, speed, high through put and low cost are desirable.

However, the application of ceramics to biological sample detection

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