Piezoelectric Resonator Sensor Coatings for Rapid Analyte Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Diagnostic testing often requires long response times, expensive equipment, large sample sizes, and is limited by sensitivity and reproducibility, especially in point-of-care settings, with separate systems for each test adding significant costs.

Innovation Solution

Development of sensors with a first resonator structure including a piezoelectric layer between electrodes, a metal oxide layer, a silane layer, and a molecular recognition component layer, connected in series with a Bragg reflector stack, which allows for rapid, sensitive, and reproducible analysis of analytes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional diagnostic testing methods are used, then comprehensive analysis can be performed, but response time is long and costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic analysis capabilityVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential sensing function from complex laboratory diagnostic systems by using resonators coated with specific molecular recognition components that directly bind to target analytes. This extraction enables point-of-care testing with rapid results while maintaining diagnostic capability through selective molecular binding and resonant frequency detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical/chemical laboratory analysis systems with a resonant oscillation-based detection system. By measuring changes in resonant frequency and quality factor of microelectromechanical resonators, the system achieves rapid analyte detection without requiring complex mechanical or chemical processing steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If point of use diagnostic solutions are implemented, then response time is reduced, but sensitivity and reproducibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidsensitivity and reproducibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs resonators operating at specific resonant frequencies to detect analytes. The mechanical vibration of the resonator structure provides highly sensitive detection capability, as even minute mass changes from analyte binding produce measurable frequency shifts, enabling laboratory-quality sensitivity at the point of care

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in resonant frequency and quality factor parameters as the resonator binds to target analytes. These parameter changes provide quantitative measurement of analyte concentration with high precision and reproducibility, overcoming the limitations of conventional point-of-care testing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If separate systems are used for each point of use test, then specific diagnostic capability is achieved, but costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal resonator-based platform that can detect multiple different analytes by simply changing the molecular recognition component coating on the resonator surface. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated systems for each test, significantly reducing overall system cost while maintaining diagnostic capability across multiple applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 sensors provide rapid, sensitive, and reproducible diagnostic results with minimal material usage, maintaining or enhancing signal quality and reducing parasitic resonances, while allowing for quantitative analysis of analytes.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric layer; and a top electrode, wherein the piezoelectric layer is positioned between the bottom electrode and the top electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

at least a first resonator, the at least first resonator having a first surface and an opposing second surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS12571776B2Sensors, methods of making and devices

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 ZOMEDICA BIOTECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Disclosed sensors can include at least one resonator (in some embodiments, at least two resonators) and various other structures that may be formed in association with the resonators. The at least one resonator in embodiments can include a bottom electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and a top electrode, wherein the piezoelectric layer is positioned between the bottom electrode and the top electrode.