Biochip sensor
Inventors
Nirschl, Martin • SUGIHARA, KAORI • VOEROES JANOS, null • Vörös, Janos • Zambelli, Tomaso
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9910030-B2
Publication Date
2018-03-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
Small and extremely small molecules and ions or atoms may be detected with the novel device with exceptional sensitivity. The detection is implemented in a simple manner by the known acoustic resonator FBAR or by means of other technologies that measure the physical properties of the filled layer. The permeability of substances (e.g. active ingredients) through membranes such as cell membranes, lipid bilayers, and cell walls can be examined by combining a sensor with the reservoir and the membrane.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a biochip sensor system for highly sensitive detection of a substance to be detected, including small molecules, ions, and atoms, using an acoustic resonance sensor. The acoustic resonance sensor includes a first electrode on a substrate, a piezoelectric layer on the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed on the piezoelectric layer. A test panel is disposed on the sensor and is configured to interact with the substance to be detected through a reservoir and a membrane.
The test panel forms a reservoir of an absorbent layer and a membrane on top of the absorbent layer, where the reservoir includes a multilayer polymer. The thickness of the reservoir and the membrane is greater than a penetration depth of an acoustic wave, and the sensor is configured to measure a permeability of the substance to be detected through the membrane. Absorption into the reservoir changes physical properties such as acoustic permeability, viscosity, frequency, or signal.
The acoustic measurement is described in terms of acoustic wave behavior relative to the reservoir and membrane thickness, including embodiments based on differential acoustic penetration depth between unfilled and filled reservoir regions. The reservoir can include absorbent layers and supports such as PEM and porous supports, and it can further include optional membrane proteins and ion channels. The document also describes additional implementations including QCM-D/OWLS and an optical-waveguide lightmode spectroscopy approach, where changes in reservoir composition alter optical properties such as refractive index and optical light path.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim content presents one core inventive concept: an acoustic resonance sensor combined with a test panel reservoir and membrane configured by thickness relative to acoustic wave penetration depth, with measurement of permeability through the membrane.
Acoustic resonance sensor with electrode-piezoelectric layer stack
A biochip has an acoustic resonance sensor with a first electrode disposed on a substrate, a piezoelectric layer disposed on the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed on the piezoelectric layer.
Test panel reservoir on the sensor with absorbent layer and membrane
A biochip includes a test panel disposed on the sensor, the test panel having a reservoir formed of an absorbent layer and a membrane on top of the absorbent layer, the reservoir being a multilayer polymer and the membrane being selected from a lipid bilayer, a cell, a cell wall, and a cell membrane.
Reservoir and membrane thickness greater than acoustic wave penetration depth
The biochip is configured so that a thickness of the reservoir and the membrane is greater than a penetration depth of an acoustic wave.
Measuring permeability of the substance through the membrane
The acoustic resonance sensor is configured to measure a permeability of a substance to be detected through the membrane.
The inventive thrust is the integration of an acoustic resonance sensor with a reservoir-and-membrane test panel in which the reservoir and membrane thickness exceeds acoustic wave penetration depth, enabling measurement of permeability of a substance through the membrane.
Stated Advantages
Highly sensitive detection of small molecules, ions, and atoms using an acoustic resonator combined with a reservoir and membrane permeability effect.
Measurable changes in frequency or signal resulting from analyte absorption into the reservoir that alters physical properties such as viscosity and acoustic permeability.
Documented Applications
Detection of small molecules, ions, and atoms by measuring permeability through a membrane in a biochip sensor system.
Differential acoustic penetration depth measurement between unfilled and filled reservoir regions for sensing.
Acoustic and related implementations including QCM-D/OWLS and an optical-waveguide lightmode spectroscopy approach where reservoir composition changes optical properties.
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