Biosensor Resonant-Frequency Detection for Low-Concentration Analytes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biosensors face challenges in accurately and rapidly detecting analytes due to unpredictable or insufficiently large biophysical changes in sensor molecules, limiting their specificity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The method involves measuring the persistence or change of binding competent states of immobilized molecules in the presence or absence of their binding partners by applying environmental changes, using techniques like surface acoustic wave measurements, surface plasmon resonance, or atomic force microscopy, and detecting changes in mass, structure, or conformation through dye pairs and electronic sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional biosensor methods are used to detect analytes, then the detection can be performed with standard equipment, but the biophysical change in sensor molecules is unpredictable or insufficiently large, resulting in low measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from conventional biophysical properties (fluorescence, absorbance) to mechanical properties (resonant frequency, mass) of the sensor molecule itself. By measuring the resonant frequency of the sensor molecule before and after analyte binding, the system detects minute mass changes with high precision, making the detection signal predictable and reliable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional optical detection methods with mechanical detection methods. Instead of measuring optical signals from labeled molecules, the system uses a quartz crystal microbalance to measure mechanical properties (mass, resonant frequency) of the sensor molecules directly, providing more reliable and predictable detection signals.
2Productivity
If conventional biosensor methods are used, then the system structure can be relatively simple, but the detection speed and sensitivity are insufficient for rapid quantification of low concentration analytes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent measures the resonant frequency of the sensor molecule at multiple different drive amplitudes and uses the change in resonant frequency as a function of drive amplitude to determine analyte concentration. This provides both rapid detection and high sensitivity, as the frequency shift is proportional to the mass change from analyte binding, enabling accurate quantification even at low concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies multiple drive amplitudes (excessive action) to the sensor molecule to measure resonant frequency at different energy levels. This provides redundant measurement data that enhances both detection speed and accuracy, as the relationship between frequency shift and analyte concentration can be determined more precisely through multiple 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
This approach enables accurate and rapid detection of analytes, allowing for quantitative measurement of their presence and concentration with high sensitivity and specificity, even at low concentrations, using aptamers and environmental perturbations.
Implementation Method 1
measuring one or a plurality of physical characteristics of the immobilized molecule and the binding partner. One of the physical characteristics can be the mass of the immobilized molecule, and can be measured using surface acoustic wave measurements
Implementation Method 2
measured using surface acoustic wave measurements, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), or bilayer interferometry (BLI)
Implementation Method 3
One of the physical characteristics can be the structure of the immobilized molecule, and can be measured using AFM (atomic force microscopy) or STM (scanning tunneling microscopy)
Implementation Method 4
measured using surface acoustic wave measurements, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), or bilayer interferometry (BLI)
Data Source
AI summary
The inventions relate to biosensors, in particular biosensors for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample using a surface-immobilized molecule. The principle of detecting the analyte is based on measuring the persistence of the state (or ensemble of states) of the surface-immobilized molecule with, and without the presence of a binding partner, upon the change in environment about the surface-immobilized molecule.