RFID Sensor Aptamer Recognition for Stable Analyte Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sensors face limitations in detecting chemical, biological, and physical species with high specificity and sensitivity, particularly in using natural receptors like antibodies and enzymes, which can be unstable and costly to produce.

Innovation Solution

A radio frequency based sensor incorporating an RFID tag with an analyte recognition element, such as aptamers, and a signal amplification entity, which generates detectable signals upon binding to target analytes, enhancing specificity and stability through conformational changes and immobilization functionalities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If natural receptors like antibodies and enzymes are used for detection, then detection specificity is improved, but production cost and stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection specificityVSAvoidstability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses aptamers as synthetic copies that mimic the binding function of natural antibodies and enzymes. These aptamers are nucleic acid sequences that can be selected through SELEX to specifically bind target analytes, providing detection specificity comparable to natural receptors while avoiding their stability and cost issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs aptamers which are chemically synthesized nucleic acid sequences that are inexpensive to produce compared to natural antibodies. These aptamers can be easily regenerated and replaced, making them a cost-effective alternative to expensive natural receptors that require complex purification and storage conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Measurement precision

If natural receptors like antibodies and enzymes are used for detection, then detection specificity is improved, but production cost deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection specificityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses aptamers as synthetic copies that mimic the binding function of natural antibodies and enzymes. These aptamers are nucleic acid sequences that can be selected through SELEX to specifically bind target analytes, providing detection specificity comparable to natural receptors while avoiding their stability and cost issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs aptamers which are chemically synthesized nucleic acid sequences that are inexpensive to produce compared to natural antibodies. These aptamers can be easily regenerated and replaced, making them a cost-effective alternative to expensive natural receptors that require complex purification and storage conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 achieves improved detection capabilities with high specificity and affinity for target analytes, offering stability and cost-effectiveness, suitable for detecting proteins, enzymes, peptides, and other molecules, including early disease markers and environmental contaminants.

Implementation Method 1

an RFID tag having a substrate and generating an associated electromagnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic field generation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2352994B1Radio frequency based sensors employing analyte recognition element
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP2352994B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2352994B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2352994B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A radio frequency based sensor is provided. The sensor comprises a radio frequency identification tag having a substrate, where the radio frequency identification tag generates an associated electromagnetic field. The sensor further includes an analyte recognition element in operative association with the substrate, where the analyte recognition element is capable of binding to a target analyte, and a signal amplification entity coupled to the analyte recognition element, where the signal amplification entity facilitates change in electromagnetic field in presence of the target analyte.