Semiconductor-sensor based near-patient diagnostic system and methods
Inventors
Mohanty, Pritiraj • Erramilli, Shyamsunder
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11480543-B2
Publication Date
2022-10-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
A semiconductor sensor-based near-patient diagnostic system and related methods.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a semiconductor-sensor near-patient diagnostic platform using nanoscale field-effect transistor nanowire sensors. The sensors include a sensor chip and reader module connected through a two-way wired or wireless communication channel, and the reader module includes control, calibration, and signal readout for near-patient diagnostic operation.
The sensor elements include a source and a drain, and at least one nanowire in electrical communication with the source and the drain. The nanowire comprises a set of surface binding sites configured to bind to charged molecules or biomarkers in a fluid sample, so that the sensor element operates as a field effect transistor. Electrically driving the sensor elements applies an alternating current modulated on a direct current bias across the nanowire to generate electrical signals indicative of binding events.
The electrical signals are processed to determine data indicative of whether an analyte is present, and the data is transmitted to a remote device. The transmission uses a wireless communication channel, and the system includes remote or on-board analytics for actionable clinical decisions. The document also describes sensor and reader form factors including smartphone plugin and cartridge implementations and examples of biomarker panels.
Claims Coverage
The relevant independent claim is directed to a computerized method that drives a nanowire FET sensor set in fluid communication with a sample, processes received electrical signals to determine analyte-present data, and wirelessly transmits the data to a remote device. The claim includes 4 inventive features centered on nanowire surface binding sites for charged molecules, AC modulation on a DC bias for field-effect transistor operation, signal processing to determine whether an analyte is present, and wireless transmission of processed diagnostic data.
Nanowire field effect transistor sensor elements with surface binding sites for charged molecules
A sensor element comprises a source, a drain and at least one nanowire in electrical communication with the source and the drain, wherein the at least one nanowire comprises a set of surface binding sites configured to bind to one or more charged molecules in the fluid sample, such that the sensor element is configured to operate as a field effect transistor.
AC-modulated DC bias to electrically drive the nanowire field effect transistor
Electrically driving the set of sensor elements comprises applying an alternating current modulated on a direct current bias across the at least one nanowire of the sensor element of the set of sensor elements.
Processing received sensor electrical signals to determine analyte-present data
Processing the at least one electrical signal to determine data indicative of whether an analyte is present in the fluid sample.
Wireless transmission of processed data to a remote device
Transmitting the data to a remote device via a communication channel with the remote device, wherein the communication channel is a wireless communication channel, and transmitting the data comprises wirelessly transmitting the data via the wireless communication channel to the remote device.
Overall claim coverage centers on a computerized near-patient diagnostic workflow using nanowire FET sensor elements with surface binding sites for charged molecules, driven using an AC-modulated DC bias, followed by processing received electrical signals to determine whether an analyte is present and wirelessly transmitting the resulting data to a remote device.
Stated Advantages
Enables near-patient diagnostic operation with remote or on-board analytics for actionable clinical decisions.
Supports wireless transmission of processed diagnostic data to a remote device.
Documented Applications
Near-patient diagnostic platform for detecting biomarkers or analytes in a fluid sample using a semiconductor-sensor, nanowire FET sensing approach.
Device form factors including smartphone plugin and cartridge implementations.
Example multibiomarker panels including a cardiac or heart attack biomarker panel and a stroke biomarker panel.
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