Substance Determination via Spatial Signal Discrimination

The patent segments the binding events into distinct categories by spatial location: specific binding events occur at predefined binding sites while non-specific binding events occur elsewhere on the sensor surface. The evaluation unit separately evaluates signals from these different locations, allowing the system to distinguish and quantify specific binding signals independent of non-specific binding signals, thereby resolving the contradiction where increasing instrumental signal amplifies both specific and non-specific signals equally

The patent applies local quality by assigning different evaluation criteria to different spatial locations on the sensor surface. Binding sites have the property of specifically binding target molecules, while other areas generate non-specific binding. The evaluation unit processes signals differently based on location: signals from binding site locations are evaluated as specific binding events, while signals from other locations are evaluated as non-specific binding events. This local differentiation allows the system to extract specific binding information even when non-specific binding signals are present and amplified

The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical blocking process with an optical/electronic evaluation method. Instead of using blocking agents to prevent non-specific binding physically or chemically, the system uses an evaluation unit that optically or electronically distinguishes signals from binding sites versus signals from other areas. This substitution eliminates the need for additional blocking reagents and processes while achieving the same goal of improving measurement accuracy by isolating specific binding signals

The evaluation unit acts as an intermediary between the sensor surface and the measurement result. It receives raw signals from the entire sensor surface, processes them by evaluating spatial characteristics to distinguish binding site signals from non-binding site signals, and outputs corrected measurement results. This intermediary processing step eliminates the need for blocking processes by computationally separating specific and non-specific binding contributions