Novel application of nanotechnology and sensor technologies for ex-vivo diagnostics
AssigneeUniversity of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
InventorsRichard Melker, Ronald Hayes, Ka-Wang Wang, Donn Dennis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for the ex vivo diagnostic analysis of samples of bodily fluids, including exhaled breath and blood. The present invention uses nanostructure-based assemblies in combination with sensor technology to provide an efficient and accurate means for identifying the presence of a target analyte/biomarker in a sample of bodily fluid. In a preferred embodiment, the nanostructure-based assemblies of the present invention include detecting means such as RNA oligonucleotide chains or “aptamers” and releasable surrogate markers such as DMSO.
Claims12
A method for detecting ex vivo a target analyte/biomarker comprising:
- (a) collecting a sample of bodily fluid in a container, wherein the container comprises the sample of bodily fluid and a headspace;
- (b) mixing ex vivo to the bodily fluid in the container a nanostucture-based assembly that comprises a surrogate marker where the surrogate marker is released from the nanostructure-based assembly in the presence of a target analyte/biomarker;
- (c) applying sensor technology to the head space or bodily fluid sample in the container, which contains the mixture of nanostructure-based assembly and bodily fluid sample in the container, wherein (he sensor technology can detect a surrogate marker released from tile nanostructure-based assembly in the container;
- and
- (d) determining whether the sample contains the target analyte/biomarker by using the sensor technology to detect the presence of the surrogate marker, wherein detection of the surrogate marker indicates the presence of the target analyte/biomarker in the sample of bodily fluid in the container.
12-24. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.