Hydrophilic Polymer Layer for SPFS Sensor S/N Ratio
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface plasmon-field enhanced Fluorescence Spectrometry (SPFS) methods face challenges in achieving high sensitivity and accuracy for detecting extremely small or low concentrations of analytes due to limitations in the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ratio) caused by enhanced nonspecific reactions and high viscosity issues with polyethylene glycol concentrations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a hydrophilic high molecule layer on a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) with immobilized ligands, using a moisturizer to enhance antigen-antibody reactions, and controlling the concentration and thickness of the hydrophilic high molecule layer to improve the S/N ratio without increasing viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polyethylene glycol is mixed in the liquid to improve antigen-antibody reaction, then reactivity is enhanced, but viscosity increases too much which lowers reactivity and decreases assay light emission signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of polyethylene glycol from high (conventional method) to specifically controlled low concentration (0.01-10%, preferably 0.1-5%). This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal point where reactivity is sufficiently enhanced while viscosity remains low enough to maintain good reactivity and signal intensity.
2Measurement precision
If antibodies and antigens are made to react under coexistence of polyethylene glycol and urea, then measurement sensitivity is improved, but S/N ratio increase is restrictive and cannot achieve high accuracy detection for extremely small amount analytes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of polyethylene glycol to a specific range (0.01-10%) and removes urea from the reaction system. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by achieving both high measurement sensitivity and high S/N ratio, enabling accurate detection of extremely small amounts of analytes without the limitations of conventional methods.
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 enhances the reactivity of antigen-antibody reactions, stabilizes assay light emission signals, and improves the S/N ratio, enabling high sensitivity detection of analytes without the limitations of conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing plasmon resonance which is increased to some tens of times to some hundreds of times by resonance between surface plasmon and evanescent wave which is transmitted through a metal layer when the surface of the metal layer formed on a dielectric substance is irradiated with exciting light such as laser light on the condition that total-reflection decrement is caused
Implementation Method 2
evanescent wave which is transmitted through a metal layer when the surface of the metal layer formed on a dielectric substance is irradiated with exciting light such as laser light on the condition that total-reflection decrement is caused
Implementation Method 3
efficiently exciting fluorescent dyes to label analytes (analysis target material) captured in the vicinity of a metal film
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An assay method with use of a sensor chip which includes a metal member, a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), and ligands on a support, and is configured to be used fur a fluorescence measuring apparatus with utilization of a surface plasmon-field enhanced Fluorescence Spectrometry, including the steps of: forming a hydrophilic high molecule layer on the self-assembled monolayer in the sensor chip; immobilizing the ligands at least one of in the hydrophilic high molecule layer and on the surface of the hydrophilic high molecule layer; and bringing a moisturizer in contact with the hydrophilic high molecule layer.