Nanostructured Plasmonic Sensor for Biomarker Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting biomarkers and pathogens in biological samples are time-consuming, prone to contamination, and lack sensitivity, particularly with traditional microbiology techniques and automated techniques like LSPR biosensors, which struggle to detect minute quantities of small molecules.
Innovation Solution
A nanostructured plasmonic sensor system with a transparent body and obverse face featuring elongate nanostructures that bind with nanoentities and analytes, utilizing polarized radiation to detect refractive index changes, and a microfluidic chip for sample processing and separation, enabling efficient immobilization and detection of analytes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If LSPR biosensors are used for detection, then the detection method is label-free and simpler, but the ability to detect minute quantities of small molecules is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor surface is segmented into distinct functional regions: a first region with nanostructures for LSPR detection and a second region for capturing nanoentities. This segmentation allows the system to combine the label-free advantage of LSPR with the enhanced sensitivity of nanoentity-mediated detection, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Nanoentities serve as intermediaries between the sample analytes and the LSPR sensor surface. These nanoentities first bind to analytes in the sample, then bind to the sensor surface, effectively mediating the detection process. This intermediary mechanism amplifies the detection signal while maintaining the label-free advantage, solving the sensitivity limitation.
2Measurement precision
If traditional microbiology techniques are used, then the diagnostic sensitivity is adequate, but the process is time consuming taking days to get a definitive result
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary enrichment of analytes through specific binding to nanoentities and capture at the sensor surface before detection. This preliminary action concentrates the analytes of interest, achieving high diagnostic sensitivity without requiring days-long culture enrichment, thus reducing turnaround time significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/time-intensive process of microbial culture enrichment with a direct binding and detection mechanism using nanoentities and LSPR. This substitution eliminates the need for waiting days for microbial growth while maintaining adequate diagnostic sensitivity through enhanced binding affinity and signal amplification.
3Quantity of substance
If culture based methods are used, then the enrichment step works for bacterial pathogens, but the tests are highly susceptible to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor surface is designed with localized functional regions having different properties: one region optimized for LSPR signal generation and another for specific nanoentity capture. This local quality differentiation allows enrichment to occur in a controlled, localized manner rather than through bulk culture, reducing contamination susceptibility while maintaining pathogen enrichment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Nanoentities act as intermediaries that specifically bind to target pathogens without requiring bulk culture enrichment. This intermediary binding mechanism achieves pathogen concentration in a controlled manner that is not susceptible to contamination issues affecting traditional culture-based enrichment methods.
4Measurement precision
If molecular tests are used, then the sensitivity is much higher than culture methods, but the operational expertise and infrastructure requirements are significant
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex molecular biology operations (PCR, nucleic acid extraction, amplification) with a simplified optical detection mechanism based on LSPR and specific binding. This substitution maintains high sensitivity through physical/chemical binding interactions while eliminating the need for complex infrastructure and specialized operational expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from molecular amplification signals to optical refractive index changes at the sensor surface. This parameter change enables high-sensitivity detection through straightforward optical measurements rather than complex molecular analysis, reducing device complexity and operational requirements.
5Measurement precision
If immunoassay based tests are used, then the specificity of antibody-antigen reactions provides high specificity, but the multiple steps required make the test time consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the antibody-antigen binding step with the detection step into a single integrated process. Nanoentities functionalized with capture molecules bind to analytes and simultaneously transduce the binding event into an optical signal at the LSPR sensor surface. This merging eliminates multiple sequential immunoassay steps, reducing both time and cost while maintaining high specificity.
Solution Approach 2:
Nanoentities serve as intermediaries that combine analyte binding and signal transduction functions. Instead of requiring separate binding and detection steps as in traditional immunoassays, the nanoentity intermediary performs both functions simultaneously, reducing test duration and eliminating expensive liquid handling requirements while preserving antibody-antigen specificity.
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 system enhances detection sensitivity and speed by immobilizing analytes on the nanostructured surface, allowing for rapid and accurate analysis of biomarkers and pathogens, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods and LSPR biosensors.
Implementation Method 1
Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) is generated by nanoparticles or structures. These are typically gold or silver. LSPR produces a strong resonance absorbance peak in the visible light range of the spectrum. This absorbance peak is highly sensitive to refractive index changes close to the surface of the nanoparticle.
Implementation Method 2
LSPR produces a strong resonance absorbance peak in the visible light range of the spectrum. This absorbance peak is highly sensitive to refractive index changes close to the surface of the nanoparticle.
Implementation Method 3
an excitation source for generating a beam of polarized radiation and a corresponding radiation detector, wherein, the sensor is coupled to the fluid container such that the nanostructured surface is exposed to the sample chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An analyzing system is provided. The analyzing system includes a fluid container defining a sample chamber where a sample is contained in the sample chamber, and a sensor including a transparent body with a reverse face and an obverse face where the obverse face having a nanostructured surface. The nanostructured surface includes a plurality of elongate nanostructures having a respective longitudinal axis that is disposed substantially perpendicularly to the obverse face. The analyzing system includes an excitation and detection apparatus that includes an excitation source for generating a beam of polarized radiation and a corresponding radiation detector where the sensor is coupled to the fluid container such that the nanostructured surface is exposed to the sample chamber, to the sample located therein.