US 2013/0157254 A1Published application

Method and apparatus for two-step surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy

AssigneeReal-Time Analyzers, Inc.

InventorsAtanu SENGUPTA, Frank E. INSCORE, Chetan SHENDE, Michael J. DONAHUE, Stuart FARQUHARSON

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Abstract

A SERS method and apparatus employ a sample device having support structure including a first material containing a SER-active metal functionalized with a binding agent having specific capability for binding a designated target analyte. An analyte sample is introduced upon the functionalized SER-active metal; conditions to effect binding of the target analyte to the binding agent are maintained; unbound chemicals, biochemicals, or biologicals are removed; a second SER-active material is introduced to cause it to attach to the bound target analyte; the support structure is irradiated to generate a SER spectrum, with the first and second SER-active materials acting in concert; and the SER spectrum is detected and analyzed to determine the presence and quantity of the target analyte. Alternatively, the second SER-active material may be functionalized with a binding agent, with the procedure being modified accordingly.

Claims51

Dependent claims

A method for the detection, identification, analysis and quantitation, by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, of at least one designated target analyte, comprising the steps:

providing a support structure comprised of a first, SER-active metal-containing SER-active material;
providing a liquid reagent comprised of a second, SER-active metal-containing SER-active material;
functionalizing the SER-active metal of at least one of said first and second SER-active materials with at least one binding agent that has a specific capability for binding thereto at least one designated target analyte, to provide at least one functionalized SER-active material;
obtaining an analyte sample suspected of containing said at least one designated target analyte;
adding said analyte sample to one of said at least one functionalized SER-active materials;
establishing or maintaining conditions sufficient to effect attachment of said at least one designated target analyte to said at least one binding agent of said one functionalized SER-active material;
effecting the removal of any unbound chemicals, biochemicals, or biologicals from said one functionalized SER-active material to which said at least one target analyte is attached;
adding said liquid reagent to said support structure;
establishing or maintaining conditions effective to cause the other of said first and second SER-active materials to attach to said at least one target analyte already attached to said at least one binding agent of said one functionalized SER-active material;
irradiating said first and said second SER-active materials attached to said at least one target analyte so as to cause said SER-active metals of said SER-active materials to cooperatively generate a SER spectrum;
detecting said cooperatively generated SER spectrum;
and
analyzing said detected SER spectrum to determine the presence and quantity of said at least one designated target analyte.

10 more elements

Apparatus, in the form of a kit of components, for use in the detection, identification, analysis, and quantitation of at least one designated target analyte in an analyte sample, by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, comprising:

packaging means for the containment of a multiplicity of components;
a SER-active device component constructed for receiving the at least one designated target analyte, and for operative assembly with a Raman spectrometer to enable detection, identification, analysis, and quantitation, by SERS, of the at least one designated target analyte, said SER-active device providing a support structure comprised of a first, SER-active metal-containing SER-active material;
at least one collection component constructed for analyte sample collection and discharge;
at least one container component containing a liquid reagent comprised of a second SER-active metal-containing SER-active material;
and
a component for introducing said liquid reagent into said SER-active device;
at least one of said first and second SER-active materials being functionalized with at least one binding agent that has the specific capability of binding thereto the at least one designated target analyte, and being accessible for the deposit thereupon of liquid analyte samples, said SER-active device being constructed for receiving, by way of said component for introducing, said liquid reagent, and for enabling irradiation, and collection of Raman scattered radiation cooperatively generated by the SER-active metals of said first and second SER-active materials, by and from a Raman spectrometer, all of said components being normally contained by said packaging means.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/374,225Filed 16 Dec 2011
Published: 20 Jun 2013
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

G01N 21/658
Raman scattering: enhancement Raman, e.g. surface plasmons
G01N 33/54373
Apparatus specially adapted for solid-phase testing: involving physiochemical end-point determination, e.g. wave-guides, FETS, gratings
G01N 33/58
Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing:…
G01N 33/587
With a particulate label, e.g. coloured latex: nanoparticles

Family

US 9,134,247 B2Related patent
US 2013/0157254 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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