Capacitive Biosensor Using Aptamers for Rapid Microorganism Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional antibiotic susceptibility tests are time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring several days for culturing bacteria and measuring turbidity, which hinders prompt diagnosis and treatment of microbial infections.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive biosensor using an anodic aluminum oxide substrate with interdigitated electrodes and aptamers specifically bound to microorganisms, allowing for real-time measurement of capacitance changes to determine antibiotic susceptibility and identify microorganisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional antibiotic susceptibility inspection methods (disk diffusion method and broth dilution method) are used, then antibiotic susceptibility can be determined, but the inspection process requires culturing bacteria for several days and measuring turbidity, which takes a long time and requires excessive labor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical/turbidity-based measurement system with a capacitive sensing system. The biosensor uses capacitance changes to directly detect microorganism growth and antibiotic susceptibility, eliminating the need for turbidity measurement and lengthy culture periods. The capacitive detection provides real-time data without requiring visual inspection or multiple measurement steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from turbidity (optical property) to capacitance (electrical property). By monitoring capacitance changes in real-time as microorganisms grow on the biosensor, the system can determine antibiotic susceptibility within hours rather than days, fundamentally altering the time and method of measurement.
2Measurement precision
If conventional antibiotic susceptibility inspection methods are used, then antibiotic susceptibility can be determined, but the process requires excessive labor for culturing and measuring
Solution Approach 1:
The biosensor system performs self-detection and self-measurement. The capacitive sensor automatically detects microorganism presence and growth without requiring manual culturing, sampling, or turbidity measurement. The system provides automated real-time monitoring, eliminating the need for laboratory technicians to perform repetitive manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual labor-intensive processes (culturing, sampling, turbidity measurement) with an automated capacitive sensing system. The electrical measurement approach requires minimal human intervention once the sample is applied, significantly reducing operational complexity and labor requirements.
3Productivity
If real-time measurement of capacitance change is implemented, then testing time is reduced to under 2 hours, but the device complexity increases with anodic aluminum oxide substrate and interdigitated electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs anodic aluminum oxide (AAO), a porous material, as the substrate for the biosensor. The porous structure of AAO provides high surface area for aptamer immobilization while maintaining a relatively simple overall device architecture. This enables rapid microorganism detection through capacitance changes without requiring complex device structures.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the measurement approach to electrical capacitance monitoring, the system achieves rapid results with a relatively simple device structure. The capacitance measurement technique inherently provides real-time data without requiring complex optical systems, mechanical actuators, or multiple measurement chambers.
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 significantly reduces testing time to under 2 hours, enabling quick identification of microorganisms and the minimum effective antibiotic concentration, facilitating effective treatment of microbial infections.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a change in capacitance in real time caused by coupling of a microorganism to a biosensor
Implementation Method 2
an aptamer fixed to the substrate and specifically bound to the microorganism
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for inspecting an antibiotic and a method for determining antibiotic sensitivity using the same is provided. The antibiotic susceptibility inspection time which has conventionally taken longer than 24 hours is shortened to about 2 hours or less, the efficacy of the target substance is monitored in real time, the identification of the microorganism, the kind of the antibiotic capable of treating the microorganism, and the minimum dosage thereof are quickly confirmed. Microbial infections requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment can be effectively treated.