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Assignees
MemberParagrafParagrafParagraf specializes in the development and manufacture of wafer-scale, silicon-compatible graphene electronic devices and sensors. Utilizing a proprietary process for direct, contamination-free graphene synthesis, the company delivers scalable solutions for magnetic field sensing, molecular and biosensing, and advanced electronics integration. These technologies address challenges in cryogenics, quantum computing, automotive, aerospace, environmental monitoring, and healthcare. With a focus on large-scale integration of 2D materials, Paragraf advances next-generation sensors and components for demanding and extreme environments.
Paragraf specializes in the development and manufacture of wafer-scale, silicon-compatible graphene electronic devices and sensors. Utilizing a proprietary process for direct, contamination-free graphene synthesis, the company delivers scalable solutions for magnetic field sensing, molecular and biosensing, and advanced electronics integration. These technologies address challenges in cryogenics, quantum computing, automotive, aerospace, environmental monitoring, and healthcare. With a focus on large-scale integration of 2D materials, Paragraf advances next-generation sensors and components for demanding and extreme environments.
Publication Number
US-9618476-B2
Publication Date
2017-04-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A biological sample analysis device includes a casing that encloses a biological sample delivery system hydraulically coupled to a sensor, wherein the sensor includes a plurality of Graphene transistors and each transistor covalently bonds with a biomarker causing the electrical properties of the transistor to measurably change when the biomarker is exposed to corresponding antibodies within an infected biological sample.
Core Innovation
A biological sample analysis device includes a casing that encloses a biological sample delivery system hydraulically coupled to a sensor, wherein the sensor includes a plurality of Graphene transistors and each transistor covalently bonds with a biomarker causing the electrical properties of the transistor to measurably change when the biomarker is exposed to corresponding antibodies within an infected biological sample.
Diagnostic technologies generally do not have the sensitivity to directly detect the presence of infectious agents before an immune response occurs, and most diagnostic technologies detect infections through detection of antibodies created by a patient's immune system. Current blood diagnostic systems such as ELISA, gel electrophoresis, blood culture, and PCR are described as requiring significant time, expertise, specialized reagents or expensive automation and lacking the sensitivity and specificity to accurately detect many diseases, particularly in early stages.
The disclosed system includes a sensor chip having one or more transistors with scattering sites where sp3 hybridized Carbon is covalently bonded to biomarkers on a Graphene (sp2 hybridized Carbon) transistor surface, a liquid handling system with a sample chamber that forms a liquid-tight seal with the sensor chip, and an external connector to supply voltages and monitor currents. The disclosed method includes introducing a biological sample to the sensor, applying voltage to the sensor, measuring current from the sensor, comparing measured current with a baseline, and returning a positive result if change exceeds a predetermined threshold, with repeated cycles and flushing to increase statistical significance and reduce sampling noise.
Claims Coverage
One independent claim is present. The main inventive features include features related to the sensor structure, material composition, functionalized scattering sites, and the conductance-based detection mechanism.
Plurality of transistors in biological sample sensor
A biological sample sensor comprising a plurality of transistors forming the sensor.
Graphene transistor composition
Each transistor comprises sp2 hybridized Carbon in the form of Graphene.
Functionalized scattering sites with covalently bonded biomarkers
One or more transistors comprise a scattering site where the scattering site comprises sp3 hybridized Carbon directly covalently bonded to a biomarker.
Conductance change upon exposure under applied voltage
If the biomarker is exposed to an infected biological sample while voltage is applied to the transistor, the conductance of the transistor will change, enabling detection.
The independent claim focuses on a Graphene-based transistor array sensor having sp3 hybridized Carbon scattering sites covalently bonded to biomarkers, where exposure to an infected sample under applied voltage produces a measurable conductance change for detection.
Stated Advantages
Direct detection of disease and/or infection using a nanoelectronic circuit that can be extraordinarily sensitive.
Can be engineered to drastically minimize the effects of improper antibody binding.
Repeating measurement cycles with flushing increases statistical significance of results and reduces sampling noise.
Documented Applications
Direct detection of disease and/or infection using a nanoelectronic circuit that enables bonding of antibodies directly with an electronic circuit and measurement of changes in electrical properties to determine presence of infection.
Detection of antibodies in biological samples including urine, blood, serum, or cerebral fluid.
Detection of specific antibodies including Lyme disease antibodies, cancer antibodies, HIV antibodies, Hepatitis antibodies, and Bacillus anthracis antibodies (examples explicitly listed).
Detection of a range of antibody targets listed in the patent, including autoimmune disease markers, multiple bacterial infections, multiple viral infections, and various cancer markers (examples enumerated in the specification).
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