Nanoprobe Capture and Detection of Microbial Pathogens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensors for detecting chemical and biological pathogens have limited sensitivity due to their small size, requiring additional enrichment stages and struggling to detect pathogens at ultralow concentrations, which hampers their effectiveness in field conditions.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system comprising a nanoprobe with a plasmonic nanoparticle and a magnetic particle, functionalized with targeting molecules, is used in a flow cell with a magnet and optical transducer to capture and detect pathogens at low concentrations, allowing for real-time detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sensor size is miniaturized to enable portable detection, then device portability and field applicability are improved, but detection sensitivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines magnetic capture functionality and optical detection functionality into a single integrated sensor system. The magnetic nanoparticle enables pathogen capture while the plasmonic nanoparticle enables optical detection, merging two separate functions into one device that achieves high sensitivity without requiring large-scale laboratory equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor utilizes composite nanoparticle structures combining magnetic particles (for capture) and plasmonic particles (for detection). This composite material approach allows the device to simultaneously achieve magnetic separation capability and optical sensing capability, resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and sensitivity maintenance.
2Measurement precision
If detection concentration limit is reduced to detect ultralow pathogen concentrations, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to required enrichment stages
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic nanoprobe performs both capture and detection functions simultaneously in a single step. The probe binds to pathogens via magnetic interaction and their presence is detected optically through plasmonic signal changes, eliminating the need for separate enrichment stages and reducing processing complexity while maintaining low detection limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The nanoprobe serves multiple functions: magnetic capture, optical detection, and signal transduction. This multi-functionality allows the system to detect ultralow concentrations directly without requiring additional enrichment equipment or complex multi-step processing procedures.
3Productivity
If magnetic particle size is increased to enhance capture capability, then pathogen capture efficiency is improved, but detection sensitivity deteriorates due to reduced number of particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the size parameters of magnetic nanoparticles to a specific range (20-200 nm) that balances capture efficiency and detection sensitivity. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient magnetic interaction for capture while maintaining enough particles for reliable optical detection through plasmonic signal changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite nanoparticle structure combines magnetic and plasmonic materials in optimized ratios and sizes. The magnetic component provides capture capability while the plasmonic component provides detection capability, with the composite structure's overall size and composition tuned to achieve both high capture efficiency and high detection sensitivity simultaneously.
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 system achieves sensitive and specific detection of pathogens at concentrations as low as 10 cfu/mL, enhancing detection capabilities in portable and field applications.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet placed in close proximity to the flow of the liquid sample, wherein the magnet is capable of capturing the nanoprobe when the nanoprobe is bound to the at least one chemical and/or biological pathogen
Implementation Method 2
a nanoprobe comprising a plasmonic nanoparticle and a magnetic particle
Data Source
AI summary
The presently disclosed fluidic sensor system and method comprise multifunctional nanoprobe-enabled capture for early detection of chemical and/or biological pathogens in a liquid sample. This sensor system and method can be used for food and environmental monitoring.