Biosensor Metal Nanoparticles Visual Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current biosensing methods face limitations in reliability and speed, particularly in sensitivity and assay time, which hinders their application beyond clinical diagnosis to fields like environmental, agro-food, chemical, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Innovation Solution

A biosensor system utilizing metal nanoparticles with surface plasmon bands for visual detection, where an external light source induces heat generation, causing a color change on a heat-sensitive surface, allowing for high sensitivity and specificity without the need for instrumentation like infrared cameras.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional biosensing methods are used, then detection capability is achieved, but sensitivity and assay time are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidassay time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the detection parameter from conventional optical or electrical signals to thermal signal generation. Metal nanoparticles convert light energy to heat through localized surface plasmon resonance, creating a thermal signal that can be detected by heat-sensitive surfaces. This parameter change enables both high sensitivity detection and rapid assay time, resolving the contradiction between detection sensitivity and assay duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs periodic illumination of metal nanoparticles with light sources matching their surface plasmon resonance frequency. This periodic energy input generates consistent thermal signals that enhance detection sensitivity while maintaining short assay times through repeated measurement cycles, addressing the trade-off between precision and speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If high sensitivity detection is implemented, then detection limit is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection limitVSAvoidinstrumentation requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses disposable heat-sensitive surfaces (such as thermal paper or heat-responsive polymers) that change color or properties in response to thermal signals from metal nanoparticles. These simple, low-cost detection surfaces replace complex instrumentation like infrared cameras or specialized detectors, achieving picogram-level detection sensitivity without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention substitutes complex optical or electrical detection systems with a simple thermal-mechanical detection approach. Heat-sensitive surfaces that respond to temperature changes provide visual or measurable signals without requiring sophisticated instrumentation, thereby maintaining high detection sensitivity while minimizing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If conventional detection methods are used, then analysis is performed, but sample pretreatment is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time analysis capabilityVSAvoidsample pretreatment requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables the biosensor system to perform detection without requiring sample pretreatment. The metal nanoparticles and heat-sensitive surface directly detect analytes in raw samples through thermal signal generation, eliminating the need for complex sample preparation steps while maintaining real-time analysis capability and improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables rapid, reliable, and cost-effective detection of analytes at low concentrations, such as picograms, with the ability to perform real-time analysis and eliminate the need for sample pretreatment, making it suitable for diverse applications.

Implementation Method 1

a metal nanoparticle having a surface plasmon band; where the analyte is visually detected by the color change in the support areas where the analyte is present, produced as a result of the heat generated by the metal nanoparticles when they are irradiated with the external light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface plasmon resonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

A support with a heat sensitive surface where the recognition molecule of step a) is immobilized or found to be immobilized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal response: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS10197566B2Biosensor comprising metal nanoparticles

Publication Date: 2019.02.05 CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS (CSIC)

AI summary

The present invention discloses a biosensor for visual detection of an analyte, based on the light to heat conversion properties of metal nanoparticles: the analyte is visually detected by the color change in the support areas (where the analyte is present), produced as a result of the heat generated by the metal nanoparticles where they are irradiated with an external light source. Use of said biosensor in a method for the detection of analytes is also claimed.