Plasmonic Biosensor Using Conformational Molecules for Stable Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current in-vivo biochemical sensing technologies, such as continuous glucose monitoring systems, face issues with sensor drift and the need for regular recalibration, and lack single-molecule sensitivity, making them unreliable and inefficient for continuous monitoring in complex biological environments.
Innovation Solution
A biosensing technology utilizing a sensor device with protrusions containing free charge carriers and conformational molecules that change shape upon analyte binding, allowing for real-time detection of analyte concentrations through plasmon resonance changes, providing high sensitivity and specificity without the need for chemical or biochemical processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If enzymatic electrochemical sensing is used for continuous glucose monitoring, then the sensor can operate in vivo, but the sensor response shows drift and requires regular recalibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces enzymatic electrochemical sensing with plasmonic sensing. The sensor uses gold nanorods with surface plasmon resonance to detect glucose through conformational changes of glucose-sensitive molecules, eliminating the need for enzymes and achieving stable, drift-free measurements without recalibration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from electrical signal (electrochemical) to optical signal (plasmonic). By measuring changes in plasmon resonance wavelength caused by conformational changes of molecules upon glucose binding, the system achieves stable optical measurements that do not drift over time
2Measurement precision
If traditional biosensing assays are used, then multiple reagents can be introduced for target amplification and signal amplification, but this results in waste materials and complex processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for multiple reagents, amplification steps, and chemical processing. The plasmonic sensor directly detects analytes at single-molecule sensitivity through conformational changes, removing unnecessary consumables and simplifying the assay to a single-step measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor molecules perform both recognition and signal generation functions. The glucose-sensitive molecules undergo conformational changes that directly modulate the plasmon signal, eliminating the need for separate signal amplification reagents and making the system self-sufficient
3Ease of operation
If in-vivo biochemical sensing is implemented, then the sensor system remains connected to the human body, but high requirements on biocompatibility and reliability are set
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable sensor probes that can be easily inserted and removed from the body. The sensor uses biocompatible materials and can be discarded after use, eliminating the need for complex retrieval and reducing risks associated with long-term implantation while maintaining continuous monitoring capability
4Measurement precision
If single-molecule sensitivity is achieved, then high sensitivity is reached, but this requires complex signal processing and data analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical signal detection through plasmon resonance wavelength shifts caused by conformational changes. The binding of analytes to sensor molecules changes the local refractive index, causing measurable shifts in plasmon resonance that can be detected optically, providing single-molecule sensitivity through straightforward optical measurements
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 stable, reliable, and sensitive detection of analytes in complex fluids like blood or saliva, achieving single-molecule resolution and reducing the need for recalibration, suitable for continuous glucose monitoring and other biochemical applications.
Implementation Method 1
exciting free charge carriers (e.g., electrons) in the protrusion and detecting optical radiation at wavelengths from the protrusions, where the exciting and/or detecting is performed at a wavelength near the plasmon resonance wavelength of the protrusion
Data Source
AI summary
A target analyte in a matrix is sensed using a sensor device having protrusions [500] such as e.g. nanorods, containing free charge carriers. Conformational molecules [504, 506] are bound at a first end to the protrusions, and bound at a second end to a label [502] e.g. a nanoparticle, that is free to move relative to the protrusions. The conformational molecule changes its conformation when bound to the analyte, thereby changing the distance and/or the relative orientation of the label to the protrusion. Energy [510] is used to excite free electrons in the protrusion near a plasmon resonance and resulting optical radiation [514] at wavelengths near the plasmon resonance wavelength is detected [516] and analyzed [518] to determined the presence/concentration of the analyte.