Piezoelectric Biomarker Sensor for Rapid COVID-19 Fluid Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of affordable, scalable, and rapid testing platforms for COVID-19 has contributed to the spread of the disease due to the inability to identify asymptomatic infected patients, leading to economic strain and health care system overload.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic platform utilizing a piezoelectric sensor device with a sensing layer configured to bind biomarkers, connected to an electronic reading platform and computing device, capable of determining the presence or amount of biomarkers in a fluid sample within 10 minutes, using quartz crystals or other piezoelectric materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional testing platforms are used for COVID-19 detection, then diagnostic accuracy can be maintained, but the testing process is too slow and not scalable to meet the need for rapid identification and isolation of infected individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical and chemical processing systems with a piezoelectric sensing system that detects biomarkers through electrical signal changes. The piezoelectric material converts mechanical stress from biomarker binding directly into electrical signals, eliminating the need for complex mechanical manipulation and chemical reagent processing, thereby achieving both rapid detection and high throughput capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from traditional optical or chemical measurements to piezoelectric signal measurements. By monitoring changes in electrical impedance or resonant frequency of the piezoelectric material when biomarkers bind to the sensing layer, the system achieves rapid detection within minutes while maintaining the capacity for high-volume testing through electronic signal processing
2Productivity
If more testing platforms are deployed to increase testing capacity, then the spread of disease can be contained, but the cost and complexity of the testing system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal piezoelectric sensing platform that can detect multiple different biomarkers by simply changing the sensing layer configuration. The same basic piezoelectric device structure can be used for detecting various COVID-19 biomarkers or other disease markers, reducing the need for multiple specialized testing systems and lowering overall system complexity while maintaining high testing capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses identical piezoelectric sensing elements repeatedly across multiple testing channels. The same proven piezoelectric material and device architecture are copied and scaled to increase testing capacity, avoiding the need to develop and validate multiple different complex testing systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while achieving high throughput
3Speed
If rapid testing is implemented to identify asymptomatic patients, then disease spread can be contained, but the testing platform must be both fast and accurate simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares the piezoelectric sensing layer in advance with pre-attached capture antibodies or receptors specific to the target biomarker. This preliminary preparation allows the sensing layer to immediately begin detecting biomarkers upon sample application, achieving rapid detection without sacrificing accuracy. The pre-configured sensing layer ensures that the correct biomarker binding occurs quickly while maintaining high specificity and sensitivity
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 and accurate detection of COVID-19 biomarkers in blood, saliva, or nasal fluid, facilitating early identification and isolation of infected individuals, thereby containing the spread of the disease and reducing economic strain.
Implementation Method 1
a layer of piezoelectric material comprising two faces; at least one electrode layer, wherein the at least one electrode layer is affixed to one face of the piezoelectric material
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a diagnostic platform for detection of biomarkers associated with a particular condition, disease, or disorder and methods of making and using the same. In various embodiments, the diagnostic platform includes a sensing device and an electronic reading platform. Aspects of the invention are directed to a diagnostic platform for detection of at least one biomarker in a fluid sample. In embodiments, the diagnostic platform comprises a sensing device configured to receive the fluid sample. The platform can further comprise an electronic reading platform and a computing device. The electronic reading platform can be configured to activate the sensor.