Label-Free Impedance Sensor for Biomarker Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for protein quantification in bodily fluids, such as ELISA, are lengthy, costly, and require optical fluorescence and labeling, limiting their efficiency and practicality for continuous health monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A label-free impedance sensor with a pair of conducting electrodes separated by a gap and an insulator, featuring plural wells to expose the other electrode, which modulates impedance in response to the presence of a target analyte, allowing for concentration measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ELISA technique with optical fluorescence and labeling is used for protein quantification, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical fluorescence detection system with an electrical impedance measurement system. The sensor uses electrodes to measure impedance changes caused by analyte binding, eliminating the need for optical components, fluorescence labeling, and associated mechanical manipulation steps. This substitution dramatically reduces test procedure duration while maintaining measurement precision through direct electrical signal detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex labeling and optical detection components from the traditional ELISA workflow. By using label-free impedance measurement, the patent removes fluorescent labels, optical excitation sources, and detection systems, retaining only the essential antigen-antibody binding event and measuring it through electrical impedance changes, thereby reducing time and complexity.
2Measurement precision
If ELISA technique with optical fluorescence and labeling is used for protein quantification, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical fluorescence detection system with an electrical impedance measurement system. The sensor uses electrodes to measure impedance changes caused by analyte binding, eliminating the need for optical components, fluorescence labeling, and associated mechanical manipulation steps. This substitution dramatically reduces test procedure duration while maintaining measurement precision through direct electrical signal detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex labeling and optical detection components from the traditional ELISA workflow. By using label-free impedance measurement, the patent removes fluorescent labels, optical excitation sources, and detection systems, retaining only the essential antigen-antibody binding event and measuring it through electrical impedance changes, thereby reducing time and complexity.
3Measurement precision
If traditional protein quantification methods are used, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous real-time monitoring of biomarker concentrations through the impedance sensor. Unlike traditional batch methods that require separate processing steps, the sensor provides continuous measurement as analytes bind to the electrode surface, dramatically increasing testing throughput and productivity while maintaining precision through ongoing data acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical fluorescence detection system with an electrical impedance measurement system. The sensor uses electrodes to measure impedance changes caused by analyte binding, eliminating the need for optical components, fluorescence labeling, and associated mechanical manipulation steps. This substitution dramatically reduces test procedure duration while maintaining measurement precision through direct electrical signal detection.
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
The sensor enables rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective detection of proteins and biomarkers at low concentrations, such as femtoMolar levels, facilitating continuous health monitoring and minimizing the need for lengthy and expensive testing procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The target analyte, when present in the sample received in the wells, modulates an impedance between the electrodes, the modulated impedance being measurable with an applied electrical voltage
Implementation Method 2
An insulator is disposed in the gap between the electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor for detecting a target analyte in a sample includes a pair of conducting electrodes that are separated by a gap. An insulator is disposed in the gap between the electrodes. Plural wells are defined by one of the electrodes and the insulator, to expose the other of the electrodes. The wells are configured to receive a sample including a target analyte. The target analyte, when present in the sample received in the wells, modulates an impedance between the electrodes. The modulated impedance, which is measurable with an applied electrical voltage, is indicative of the concentration of the target analyte in the sample. The wells can include antibodies immobilized inside the wells, to bind the target analyte, which can be a cytokine. Also provided are a method for label-free sensing of a target analyte in a sample, and a transcutaneous impedance sensor for label-free, in-situ biomarker detection.