Self disinfecting sensor and method of operation
Inventors
Sinha, Saion K. • Kirkor, Ewa Stanislawa
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12517084-B2
Publication Date
2026-01-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
A life-form sensor and a method of detecting a life-form and disinfecting the sensor is provided. The sensor includes a matrix member made from a composite material having needle-like particles, electrically conductive platelets and a spacer material. A pair of electrodes are electrically coupled to opposing ends of the matrix. A heating device is arranged in thermal communication with the matrix member. A controller is operably coupled to the sensing device, the heating device, and the electrode, the controller being configured to receive a signal from the pair of electrodes and to polarize the matrix member and activate the heating device to a predetermined temperature range in response to placing a sample in the specimen container to simultaneously detect the presence of a target life-form and to disinfect the matrix member.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a life-form sensor that uses a matrix member made from a composite material including needle-like particles, electrically conductive platelets, and a spacer material. A pair of electrodes is electrically coupled to opposing ends of the matrix member, and a heating device is in thermal communication with the matrix member. A controller receives a signal from the pair of electrodes and is operably coupled to the heating device and the electrode.
The controller is configured to polarize the matrix member and activate the heating device to a predetermined temperature range in response to placing a sample in a specimen container. This configuration enables the sensor to simultaneously detect the presence of a target life-form and disinfect the matrix member. The composite matrix and its electrical and thermal activation are integrated so that both detecting and disinfecting occur during the sensing window.
In the disclosed method, a sample material is placed in a sample container including a matrix member made from the composite material. The method includes perforating a cellular membrane of at least a portion of the sample material, heating the sample material to a predetermined temperature range, and polarizing the sample material. Determining the presence of predetermined target life-forms is performed in response to the heating and polarizing, and disinfecting the matrix member is based at least in part on the heating and polarizing.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims, one directed to a life-form sensor device and one directed to a method of detecting and disinfecting a target life-form on a sensor. Both independent claims center on a composite-material matrix member, electrode coupling, and controller-driven electrical polarization combined with heating to a predetermined temperature range for simultaneous detection and disinfection. Across the independent-claim families, the main inventive features include (i) the composite matrix composition using needle-like particles, electrically conductive platelets, and a spacer, and (ii) performing detection in response to heating and polarization while disinfecting the matrix member based at least in part on the heating and polarization.
Composite-material matrix member between electrodes with heating
A life-form sensor comprising a matrix member made from a composite material including needle-like particles, electrically conductive platelets and a spacer material; a pair of electrodes electrically coupled to opposing ends of the matrix member; and a heating device in thermal communication with the matrix member.
Controller-driven simultaneous polarization and predetermined-range heating for detection and disinfection
A controller operably coupled to the sensing device, the heating device, and the electrode, configured to receive a signal from the pair of electrodes and to polarize the matrix member and activate the heating device to a predetermined temperature range in response to placing a sample in the specimen container to simultaneously detect the presence of a target life-form and to disinfect the matrix member.
Perforating cellular membrane, heating, and polarizing for detection
A method of detecting and disinfecting a target life-form on a sensor comprising placing a sample material in a sample container including a matrix member made from a composite material that includes needle-like particles, electrically conductive platelets and a spacer material; perforating a cellular membrane of at least a portion of the sample material; heating the sample material to a predetermined temperature range; and polarizing the sample material.
Disinfecting the matrix member based on heating and polarization
Determining the presence of predetermined target life-forms in response to the heating and polarizing of the sample material; and disinfecting the matrix member based at least in part on the heating and polarizing of the sample material.
Overall, claim coverage focuses on detecting predetermined target life-forms using a composite-material matrix member coupled to electrodes while concurrently disinfecting the matrix member. The key claimed structure combines a composite matrix with electrode polarization and heating to a predetermined temperature range, and the method claim further includes perforating a cellular membrane and then determining presence based on heating and polarization.
Stated Advantages
Simultaneously detect the presence of a target life-form and disinfect the matrix member.
Documented Applications
Detecting and disinfecting a target life-form on a sensor by placing a sample in a specimen container and using the controller to polarize the matrix member and heat to a predetermined temperature range.
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