Methods, devices, and systems for detecting analytes
Inventors
LaLonde, John • Batten, Bruce Edgar
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11666907-B2
Publication Date
2023-06-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
This document provides methods, devices, and systems for detecting the presence, absence, or amount of one or more analytes. For example, this document provides methods for using graphene-based sensors to detect one or more analytes (e.g., proteins, nucleic acids, intact cells, intact viruses, intact microorganisms, and/or chemicals).
Core Innovation
A multiplexed analyte detection system includes a sample application area and a plurality of microfluidic channels. Each microfluidic channel is an elongated channel with a proximal end and a distal end, with an input region in a proximal region and a detection region distal to the input region. The detection region includes a plurality of graphene sensors configured to detect an analyte, and the microfluidic channel is configured to facilitate moving the sample from the proximal end to the distal end.
An application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is electrically connected to the graphene sensors in the microfluidic channels. The ASIC receives electrical signals from the plurality of graphene sensors and converts the electrical signals into digital signals.
A method of detecting an analyte includes providing the multiplexed analyte detection system and applying a sample to the sample application area. The sample is flowed down the plurality of channels to the plurality of graphene sensors, wherein at least one analyte of interest binds or hybridizes to at least a portion of the graphene sensors. Electrical signals at the ASIC are used to detect a change in resistance, converting the change in resistance to digital signals at the ASIC, and calculating a result at a master control unit (MCU).
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00018, and clm-00029. Across these claims, three inventive-feature cores appear: multiplexed microfluidic channels with proximal input and distal graphene-sensor detection regions, ASIC conversion of graphene-sensor electrical signals into digital signals, and a resistance-change sensing workflow with analyte binding/hybridization and result calculation at an MCU.
Multiplexed microfluidic channels with distal graphene sensor detection regions
A plurality of microfluidic channels each having an elongated proximal end and distal end, an input region in a proximal region fluidically connected to a sample application area, and a distal detection region including graphene sensors configured to detect an analyte, with the channel facilitating moving the sample from the proximal end to the distal end.
ASIC electrically connected to graphene sensors for digital signal conversion
An application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) electrically connected to the plurality of graphene sensors in the microfluidic channels and configured to receive electrical signals from the plurality of graphene sensors and convert the electrical signals into digital signals.
Resistance-change detection with analyte binding/hybridizing and result calculation at MCU
Binding/hybridizing at least one analyte of interest to at least a portion of the plurality of graphene sensors, detecting a change in resistance from electrical signals at the ASIC, converting the change in resistance to digital signals at the ASIC, and calculating a result at a master control unit (MCU).
The independent claims collectively require a multiplexed microfluidic channel architecture with distal graphene-sensor detection regions, an ASIC that converts graphene-sensor electrical signals into digital signals, and a detection workflow in which analyte binding/hybridizing produces a resistance change that is converted to digital signals and used to calculate results at an MCU.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
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