Nanoplasmonic Sensor Array for Rapid Multiplexed UTI Pathogen Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic methodologies for urinary tract infections (UTIs) are time-consuming and rely on antiquated culture-based methods, leading to delayed antibiotic prescriptions and increased antibiotic resistance, with no molecular diagnostics available for point-of-care pathogen identification.
Innovation Solution
A nanoplasmonic sensor array functionalized with biological probes is used to detect multiple UTI-causing pathogens, employing localized surface plasmon resonance for rapid molecular characterization, allowing simultaneous detection of pathogens like Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and antibiotic-resistant strains within 15 minutes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If culture-based methodologies are used for pathogen detection, then pathogen identification can be achieved, but diagnostic time is excessively long (up to three days)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces culture-based mechanical methods with a nanoplasmonic sensor system that uses optical detection. The sensor array with functionalized probes detects pathogen-specific nucleic acids through localized surface plasmon resonance, eliminating the need for time-consuming bacterial culture growth while maintaining identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the diagnostic process into parallel detection channels, each functionalized with probes specific to different pathogens. This segmentation allows simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens in a single test, reducing total diagnostic time from sequential culture methods while maintaining comprehensive pathogen identification.
2Measurement precision
If molecular diagnostic technologies like qPCR are used, then pathogen detection sensitivity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from complex molecular diagnostic systems by using nanoplasmonic sensors that directly detect pathogen nucleic acids without requiring nucleic acid amplification. This extraction simplifies the system by removing PCR machinery, thermal cycling components, and associated reagents while maintaining high detection sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from amplification-based signal enhancement (qPCR) to resonance-based direct detection (nanoplasmonics). By measuring localized surface plasmon resonance shifts caused by probe-pathogen binding, the system achieves high sensitivity without the complexity of nucleic acid amplification processes.
3Productivity
If antibiotic therapy is prescribed without pathogen identification, then treatment can start immediately, but antibiotic resistance increases due to non-specific empiric therapy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility characterization before prescribing therapy. The sensor array provides rapid identification of the causative pathogen and its resistance profile, enabling targeted antibiotic selection that eliminates the need for empiric therapy and reduces antibiotic resistance development.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pathogens are detected simultaneously using multiplexed sensors, then diagnostic comprehensiveness is improved, but sensor functionalization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal sensor platform where each sensor element can be functionalized with different probes to detect various pathogens. The same nanoplasmonic sensor structure serves multiple detection functions by simply changing the probe sequence, enabling multiplexed detection without requiring separate sensor designs for each pathogen.
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, accurate identification and characterization of UTI-causing pathogens and antibiotic resistance profiles at the point-of-care, reducing diagnostic time and promoting targeted therapy, thereby combating antibiotic resistance.
Implementation Method 1
employing localized surface plasmon resonance for rapid molecular characterization
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein includes a nanoplasmonic sensor for molecular characterization of urinary tract infections. In some embodiments, the nanoplasmonic sensor can also be used at the point-of-care. The nanoplasmonic sensor utilizes an optical phenomenon that occurs between a metal nanoparticle and a dielectric—localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)—for the detection of bacterial nucleic acids. In some embodiments, the spectral peak shift is a function of target sequence concentration.