Device and method for chemical analysis
Inventors
Taslim, Mohammad E. • Fotouhi, Mohammed • Abedi, Mehdi • Mollaaghababa, Reza • Fotouhi, Bahram • Javaherian, Kashayar • Greenfield, Edward Alvin • Nawana, Namal
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12247974-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A processing and detection system for detecting presence of at least one gluten protein in a food sample comprises a food processor including: a reservoir containing a process liquid for processing the food sample; a body that comprises a chamber configured to receive the food sample; and a pressing surface configured to press on the reservoir to cause the process liquid to exit the reservoir and mix with the food sample, thereby generating a processed food liquid; and an exit port configured to conduct the processed food liquid out of the food processor; and a cartridge including: at least one sensor configured to receive the processed food liquid and to generate an electrical signal in response to interaction with the at least one gluten protein in the processed food liquid, and an analyzer in electrical communication with the at least one sensor for detecting the electrical signal and determining the presence of the at least one gluten protein in the food sample based on the detected electrical signal.
Core Innovation
The document describes a processing-and-detection system for gluten proteins in food that uses a food processor to mix a process liquid with a food sample to form a processed food liquid. The processed food liquid is then provided to a cartridge that includes an electrical sensor and an analyzer/reader unit. The system detects the presence of gluten proteins, and optionally their concentration, based on changes in electrical signals associated with sensor interactions with the sample.
A cartridge-based detection concept is disclosed in which sensing elements include graphene, carbon-nanotubes, and fullerenes functionalized with antibodies exhibiting specific binding to target analytes. The disclosed sensing approach includes measuring electrical properties such as resistance and impedance and analyzing temporal variations or temporal electrical signatures. The analyzer electronics compare sensor responses to calibration data to support evaluation of the sample.
In the disclosed system architecture, a cartridge includes a first sensor and a second sensor, each having a graphene layer functionalized with different antibodies for analytes that are different from each other. Measurement circuitry generates first and second signals in response to interaction of the graphene layers with corresponding portions of a liquid sample. The analyzer employs the second signal as a calibration signal against which the first signal is evaluated.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim clm-00001 covers a cartridge-based system with two antibody-functionalized graphene sensors, measurement circuitry that generates sensor signals from electrical property changes upon sample interaction, and an analyzer that uses the second sensor signal as a calibration signal for evaluating the first sensor signal. The coverage includes multiple inventive features.
Two antibody-functionalized graphene sensors for different analytes
A cartridge including a first sensor with a first graphene layer functionalized with a first antibody exhibiting specific binding to a first analyte, and a second sensor with a second graphene layer functionalized with a second antibody exhibiting specific binding to a second analyte different than the first analyte.
Measurement circuitry generating signals from electrical property changes
Measurement circuitry in communication with the first and the second sensor for generating first and second signals in response to a change in at least one electrical property of the first and the second sensor, respectively, in response to interaction of the first and the second graphene layer with a first and second portion of a liquid sample, respectively.
Analyzer using second signal as calibration against which first signal is evaluated
An analyzer comprising a processor and a memory storing instructions, wherein the processor is configured to receive the first and second signals and execute the instructions to employ the second signal as a calibration signal against which the first signal is evaluated.
The claim set centers on evaluating an antibody-functionalized graphene sensor response by using a second, different antibody-functionalized graphene sensor signal as an internal calibration signal, with measurement circuitry generating electrical-property-based signals from interactions with different portions of a liquid sample.
Stated Advantages
Detecting the presence of gluten proteins in food based on changes in electrical signals from antibody-functionalized graphene sensors.
Optionally determining a concentration of gluten proteins.
Employing the second signal as a calibration signal against which the first signal is evaluated.
Documented Applications
Food processing-and-detection use case for gluten proteins in food using a food processor to form a processed food liquid and a cartridge/analyzer to detect gluten proteins.
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