Photo-activated Fluorescence Sensor for Target Molecule Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chemical sensors and biosensors face challenges in effectively detecting and quantifying target molecules in analytes due to limitations in sensitivity, specificity, and practicality for real-world applications.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system incorporating a solid-phase substrate with radiation-activatable fluorescence materials and recognition elements, which emit detectable output radiation when interacting with target molecules, allowing for precise detection and quantification using a radiation emitter and detector configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radiation-activatable fluorescence materials are used in solid phase, then sensitivity and specificity for detecting target molecules are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into discrete sensing nodes, each comprising a radiation-activatable fluorescence material and a recognition element. This segmentation allows for modular design where each node independently detects specific target molecules, improving sensitivity while maintaining manageable complexity through functional decomposition
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing node combines radiation-activatable fluorescence materials with recognition elements to create a composite sensing system. This composite structure integrates the optical properties of fluorescence materials with the molecular recognition capabilities of recognition elements, achieving high sensitivity and specificity without requiring complex separate systems
2Measurement precision
If radiation emitter and detector configuration is implemented, then quantitative measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation emitter and detector are integrated into a unified sensor configuration that works in conjunction with the sensing nodes. This merging of components creates a compact quantitative measurement system where the emitter activates fluorescence and the detector measures the emitted radiation, enabling accurate quantification without requiring separate complex instrumentation
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation emitter and detector configuration serves multiple functions: it activates the fluorescence material, detects the emitted radiation, and enables quantitative measurement of target molecules. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, achieving accurate quantification while controlling overall device complexity
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 sensor system enhances sensitivity and specificity for detecting target molecules, enabling non-invasive, dynamic measurements of biochemical markers and environmental contaminants, with potential integration into wearable devices and mobile computing platforms.
Implementation Method 1
The first radiation-activatable fluorescence material is fluoresce-able in response to interaction with the input radiation to thereby cause the first sensing node to emit first output radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor for detection or quantitative measurement of a first target molecule in an analyte comprises: a first sensing node provided in solid phase on a solid-phase substrate, the first sensing node comprising a first radiation-activatable fluorescence material and a first recognition element for interaction with the first target molecule; and a radiation emitter optically configured to direct input radiation toward the first sensing node. The first radiation-activatable fluorescence material is fluoresce-able in response to interaction with the input radiation to thereby cause the first sensing node to emit first output radiation. One or more spectral characteristics of the first output radiation are detectably influence-able in response to interaction between the first recognition element and the first target molecule.