US 11,965,878 B2 · Sensor and method for detecting target molecules

Abstract

An apparatus and method for detecting one or more target molecules includes a hydrophobic substrate, and a sensor. The sensor includes two or more electrodes disposed on the hydrophobic substrate and separated from one another by a gap, a plurality of nanostructures formed on or within an upper surface of each electrode, a plurality of binding molecules attached to the plurality of nanostructures, wherein the plurality of binding molecules are configured to bind with the one or more target molecules, and wherein the upper surface of each electrode and the plurality of nanostructures are hydrophilic, and may further detect two or more analytes with two or more sensors that detect two or more different modalities, such as, electrical, optical fluorescence, optical resonance, magnetic detection, or acoustic waves.

Claims10

Dependent claims

An apparatus for detecting one or more target molecules comprising:

a hydrophobic substrate;
and
a sensor comprising:
two or more electrodes disposed on the hydrophobic substrate and separated from one another by a gap;
a plurality of nanostructures formed on or within an upper surface of each electrode,
a plurality of binding molecules attached to the plurality of nanostructures, wherein the plurality of binding molecules are configured to bind with the one or more target molecules;
a multiplexor coupled to the two or more electrodes configured to selectively switch the two or more electrodes between inducing an alternating current electrothermal (ACET) flow and detecting the one or more target molecules;
and
an alternating current power source and impedance analyzer coupled to the multiplexor;
wherein the upper surface of each electrode and the plurality of nanostructures are hydrophilic.

7 more elements

A method for fabricating an apparatus for detecting one or more target molecules comprising:

providing a hydrophobic substrate;
and
fabricating a sensor comprising:
forming two or more electrodes on the hydrophobic substrate, wherein the two or more electrodes are separated by a gap;
forming a plurality of nanostructures on or within an upper surface of each electrode;
attaching a plurality of binding molecules to the plurality of nanostructures, wherein the plurality of binding molecules are configured to bind with the one or more target molecules;
making the upper surface of each electrode and the plurality of nanostructures hydrophilic;
coupling a multiplexor to the two or more electrodes that selectively switches the two or more electrodes between inducing an alternating current electrothermal (ACET) flow and detecting the one or more target molecules;
and
coupling an alternating current power source and impedance analyzer to the multiplexor.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sensor and method for detecting target molecules

Life of this patent

Sensor and method for detecting target molecules

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10