Cantilever Sensor for Direct SARS-CoV-2 Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current point-of-care screening tests for SARS-CoV-2 viral infection are unreliable and costly, requiring laboratory analysis and taking up to three days, with existing methods based on antibody detection being ineffective in the early stages of infection due to delayed antibody production.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device comprising a test cantilever with a receptor layer and a reference cantilever with a non-receptor layer, converting chemical and biochemical information into electrical signals through deformation measurement, allowing for direct detection of analytes like viruses in samples without the need for calibration in a reference sample.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reverse transcriptase PCR method is used for SARS-CoV-2 detection, then detection reliability is improved, but time consumption increases (up to three days)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from centralized laboratories to point-of-care settings by using portable sensor devices with cantilever-based detection, eliminating the need for complex laboratory infrastructure while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex biochemical PCR processes with a mechanical detection system based on cantilever deformation, where the binding of viral particles to receptors on the cantilever surface causes measurable deformation, simplifying the detection mechanism
2Loss of time
If lateral flow-based immunochromatographic methods are used for point-of-care testing, then time consumption is reduced, but detection reliability worsens due to delayed antibody detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting viral particles directly at the site of infection before antibody production occurs, enabling early detection in the acute phase of infection when patients are most contagious, rather than waiting for the immune response to develop
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses specific receptor molecules as intermediaries that bind directly to viral particles, serving as a bridge between the virus and the detection system, enabling direct viral detection without relying on antibody-mediated detection
3Measurement precision
If complex laboratory analysis is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin film structures for the cantilever and receptor layer, enabling the complex detection function to be integrated into a compact, portable device while maintaining measurement precision through the sensitive deformation detection of the thin cantilever structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions (sample application, viral binding, deformation detection, and signal processing) into a single integrated sensor device, eliminating the need for separate laboratory equipment while maintaining measurement capability
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
Enables rapid, reliable, and cost-effective detection of SARS-CoV-2 analytes, reducing the time to results and improving early detection capabilities by converting chemical information into electrical signals, thus overcoming the limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a receptor layer for selective reception of the analyte from the sample is applied at least to the deformable part
Implementation Method 2
Cantilever surface stress sensors with single-crystalline silicon piezoresistors
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor device is provided for detecting an incidence and/or a concentration and/or an amount of an analyte in a sample. The sensor device includes a sensor, connection electronics and a housing. The sensor converts chemical and/or biochemical information of an analyte in a sample into an electrical signal. The sensor includes a test cantilever that has a base and a deformable part, where a receptor layer for selective reception of the analyte is applied at least to the deformable part. The sensor also includes a reference cantilever that has a base and a deformable part, where a reference layer for selective non-reception of the analyte is applied to the deformable part.