Nanopore Particle Counter with Intelligent Electronic Substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for counting and identifying particles in fluids face challenges in accurately discriminating particles of interest from others without sophisticated instrumentation, particularly in interpreting complex ion current signals and achieving precise concentration measurements.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing nanoporous partitions coupled with intelligent electronic substrates, where each nanopore is associated with a specific electrode to detect single impulses, allowing for precise counting and identification of particles of interest through a miniaturized reading system, enabling in-vivo and low-cost applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If nanoporous partitions are used for particle detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for sophisticated instrumentation to interpret complex ion current signals
Solution Approach 1:
The partition is divided into multiple subdomains, with each subdomain containing one or more nanopores and associated with a specific electrode. This segmentation allows each electrode to detect impulses from its corresponding subdomain independently, simplifying signal interpretation while maintaining high measurement precision through spatial resolution of particle events
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intelligent electronic substrate as an intermediary component that directly interfaces with the nanoporous partition. This substrate processes and interprets ion current signals locally, eliminating the need for complex external instrumentation while enabling precise particle detection and concentration measurement
2Measurement precision
If sophisticated instrumentation is used to interpret ion current signals, then particle identification accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex system operation
Solution Approach 1:
Each electrode-subdomain association automatically detects and processes impulses from its corresponding nanopores without requiring external intervention or complex instrumentation. The system performs self-service signal interpretation through the intelligent electronic substrate, simplifying operation while maintaining high particle identification accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the signal interpretation function from complex external instrumentation and integrates it directly into the electronic substrate associated with each nanopore. This extraction simplifies the overall system operation while preserving accurate particle identification capabilities through localized signal processing
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 increases discriminability and statistical confidence in counting single molecular events, allowing for precise concentration measurement of particles of interest without the need for molecular labels or complex instrumentation, facilitating applications in diagnostics and therapeutics.
Implementation Method 1
nanoporous partition, and to a respective method for quantifying on the basis of the individual count thereof
Implementation Method 2
detecting single impulses from the subdomains
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and associate method including a substrate having a first surface; a lid having a second surface; at least one spacer element interposed between the substrate and the lid so as to maintain the first and second surface spaced apart; a partition with a plurality of nanometric size through-openings interposed between the spacer element and the lid defining a first chamber a second chamber fluidically connected together through at least one of the openings; the substrate has at least one first electrode on the first surface and the lid has a second electrode, the first electrode being configured to detect an electric signal associated to the passage of one of said particles through one of the through-openings.