Micro-Balance Virus Sensors Using Resonant Frequency Shifts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virus detection methods require expensive laboratory equipment and have long wait times, making it difficult to control the spread of contagious viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and Zika.
Innovation Solution
Micro-balance based sensors using piezoelectric or micro-electromechanical resonators with molecular recognition groups, such as aptamers, detect viruses by measuring changes in resonant frequency due to mass loading from viral biomolecules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional virus detection methods (serum analysis, PCR assays) are used, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex biochemical detection systems (PCR, serum analysis) with a simple mechanical resonance-based detection system. The microbalance sensor uses mechanical vibration at resonant frequency to detect mass changes caused by virus binding, eliminating the need for complex laboratory equipment while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable microbalance sensors with surface-modified recognition elements that can be discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for expensive, reusable laboratory equipment and complex sterilization procedures, making detection accessible in resource-limited settings while maintaining accuracy.
2Reliability
If conventional virus detection methods are used, then detection reliability is improved, but detection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-modifies the sensor surface with molecular recognition elements (antibodies, aptamers, or viral proteins) before use. This preliminary preparation allows direct binding of target viruses to the sensor surface upon contact, eliminating time-consuming sample processing steps while ensuring reliable detection through specific antigen-antibody interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential detection function from complex conventional methods, isolating the core principle of antigen-antibody binding and measuring it through simple mass detection. This extraction removes unnecessary procedural steps and equipment requirements, reducing detection time while maintaining reliability through the preserved binding mechanism.
3Measurement precision
If specialized laboratory equipment is used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the microbalance sensor to perform self-measurement through automatic resonance frequency detection. The sensor system autonomously detects mass changes when viruses bind to the surface, eliminating the need for operator intervention in measurement procedures. This self-service capability maintains precision while dramatically simplifying operation for non-expert users.
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
These sensors provide rapid and cost-effective detection of viruses by monitoring frequency shifts, enabling early identification and quantification of viral presence without the need for specialized equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The resonator can be a piezoelectric resonator (e.g. a quartz crystal microbalance)
Implementation Method 2
A resonant frequency of the resonator can be measured after exposing the sensor surface to the fluid sample. The resonant frequency of these devices changes when mass is added to their surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes methods of detecting viral biomolecules such as viruses through frequency response. A method (200) of detecting a vims includes exposing (210) a sensor surface to a fluid sample containing a suspected virus. The sensor surface can be a surface of a resonator having a clean resonant frequency from about 1 MHz to about 1 GHz. The surface can be modified with molecular recognition groups selective for binding to the viral biomolecule. A resonant frequency of the resonator can be measured (220) after exposing the sensor surface to the fluid sample. The measured resonant frequency can be compared (230) with a clean resonant frequency indicating the presence of the viral biomolecule bound to the molecular recognition groups and then outputted (240) as a detection signal.