Transverse SPR Biomolecular Sensor for High-Throughput Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors primarily utilize vertical propagation, limiting their sensitivity and applicability, while there is a lack of innovative developments in sensing theory and system sensitivity, especially in integrating micro tunnels for high-throughput and miniaturized designs.
Innovation Solution
A biomolecular sensor system employing transverse propagation waves of surface plasmon resonance, featuring a substrate with a dielectric layer and sensing film, paired prism devices with adjustable distance, and a light source and detector for sensitive, label-free, and real-time biomolecular inspection, utilizing gold or silver films for enhanced sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vertical propagation SPR sensing is used, then the sensing mechanism is simple, but the sensitivity and applicability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical propagation SPR sensing to transverse propagation SPR sensing, changing the dimension of wave propagation. This dimensional change enables the surface plasmon wave to travel along the metal film surface over longer distances, allowing for enhanced sensitivity and the possibility of multi-point detection along the propagation path, thereby resolving the limitation of vertical propagation while maintaining sensing effectiveness.
2Productivity
If conventional SPR sensing without micro tunnels is used, then the system structure is simple, but high-throughput and miniaturization are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces micro tunnel structures that segment the sensing area into multiple detection zones along the transverse propagation path. This segmentation allows parallel detection at multiple points simultaneously, enabling high-throughput sensing capabilities while maintaining a compact footprint that supports miniaturization of the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates micro tunnel structures within the sensor chip architecture, nesting the fluidic channels and sensing zones within each other. This nested design enables multiple sensing functions to be packed into a small area, achieving both high-throughput capability and miniaturization without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If transverse propagation wave detection is implemented, then sensitivity and miniaturization are improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
By switching to transverse propagation mode, the patent exploits the extended propagation distance along the metal film surface to achieve enhanced sensitivity. This dimensional change allows the sensing interaction to occur over a longer path length without requiring a proportionally larger device footprint, thereby improving sensitivity while controlling device structure complexity through efficient spatial utilization.
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 highly sensitive, fast, and parallel biomolecular inspections with improved sensitivity and miniaturization, suitable for multiple-channel high-throughput and portable instruments, by leveraging transverse surface plasmon wave detection within a controlled micro fluidic channel.
Implementation Method 1
The surface plasmon resonance occurs at the interface of the metallic and dielectric materials, and a coupler and a TM-wave is excited
Implementation Method 2
Both sides of the electric field penetration depth and transverse propagation in the vertical interface are attenuated
Data Source
AI summary
A biomolecular sensor system utilizing a transverse propagation wave of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is described. The system comprises: a substrate; a dielectric layer, having a groove therein and standing on top of the substrate; a sensing film layer, sitting at the groove; a pair of prism devices, each resting on one side of the groove and both separating a tunable distance. Besides, the sensor system further comprises a light source, a light detector (a frontend of which connecting to a spectrometer and a backend connecting to a differential amplifier) and a channel with a cover forming inside the groove for the acquisition of the reflected light from the prism devices. Since the sensor system is constructed by exploiting the SPR technique on the transverse propagation, a whole contact surface is under detection (parallel detection) which differentiates it from the traditional method of single-area SPR detection. The sensor system is applicable not only for the far-infrared remote sensing with a transverse distance of several centimeters, but further for the biomedical sensing applications in the miniature sizing and high throughput.