# US 2019/0375631 A1 · Method and device for detecting cellular targets in bodily sources using carbon nanotube thin film

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- Number: US 2019/0375631 A1
- Document ID: US20190375631A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/542,973
- Filed: 2019-08-16
- Published: 2019-12-12
- Earliest claimed: 2010-03-11
- Assignees: University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.
- Applicants: University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.
- Inventors: Balaji Panchapakesan
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190375631A1

## CPC

- G01N 27/4146: {involving nanosized elements, e.g. nanotubes, nanowires}
- B82Y 15/00: Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors
- B82Y 30/00: Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
- G01N 15/1031: by measuring electrical or magnetic effects
- G01N 27/4145: {specially adapted for biomolecules, e.g. gate electrode with immobilised receptors}
- Y10T 156/1039: Surface deformation only of sandwich or lamina [e.g., embossed panels]
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- B82Y: SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A device and method detect cellular targets in a bodily source by utilizing a biofunctional pad comprised of a thin film of carbon nanotubes (CNT's). When antibodies are absorbed by the CNT's, cellular targets having markers matching the antibodies may be detected in a bodily source placed upon the biofunctional pad by measuring the conductivity of the thin film using conductive contacts electrically coupled to the thin film, as the binding of the receptors in the cellular targets to the antibodies changes the free energy in the thin film. In many respects, the device functions as a Field Effect Transistor (FET) with the bodily source, e.g., blood, acting as a polyelectrolyte liquid gate electrode to create a varying electrostatic charge or capacitance in the thin film based upon the binding of cellular targets in the source to the antibodies present on the biofunctional pad.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of fabricating a sensor for detecting cellular targets in a bodily source, the method comprising:
forming a thin film of carbon nanotubes (CNT's) on a carrier using vacuum filtration;
mechanically bonding the thin film to a dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate;
separating the thin film from the carrier;
patterning the thin film to form a biofunctional pad;
depositing a plurality of conductive contacts on the substrate, with at least a portion of each conductive contact overlapping and electrically coupled to the thin film.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising annealing the substrate after depositing the plurality of conductive contacts thereon.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising testing the IV characteristics of the sensor.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising depositing antibodies on the biofunctional pad such that at least a portion of the antibodies are absorbed by the thin film of CNT's.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein depositing the antibodies is performed either during fabrication of the sensor or during clinical use of the sensor.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the cellular target comprises a cancer cell, and wherein the bodily source comprises a drop of blood.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, further comprising depositing a layer of antibodies on the biofunctional pad, wherein the layer of antibodies is selected from the group consisting of IGF1R, Her2, EpCAM, and EGFR, and wherein the cellular target comprises a breast cancer cell.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the biofunctional pad has a hydrophobic surface, and wherein the conductivity of the thin film is inversely proportional to the presence of the cellular target in the bodily source.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising altering a surface of the biofunctional pad to provide the biofunctional pad with a hydrophilic surface such that the conductivity of the thin film is proportional to the presence of the cellular target in the bodily source.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein altering the surface of the biofunctional pad comprises annealing the substrate after forming the thin film of CNT's.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein annealing the substrate comprises annealing the substrate at a temperature of about 200 degrees Celsius to about 400 degrees Celsius.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein annealing the substrate comprises annealing the substrate at a temperature of at least about 300 degrees Celsius.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein altering the surface of the biofunctional pad comprises applying infrared heat to the biofunctional pad.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising forming a second sensor on the substrate that has a second biofunctional pad with a hydrophobic surface, wherein altering the surface of the first biofunctional pad is performed without altering the surface of the second biofunctional pad.

### Claim 15

A method of detecting cellular targets in a bodily source, the method comprising:
placing a bodily source on a biofunctional pad comprising a thin film of carbon nanotubes (CNT's) upon which is disposed antibodies associated with a cellular target; and
measuring the conductivity of the thin film using a plurality of conductive contacts electrically coupled to the thin film, whereby the conductivity of the thin film is indicative of the presence of the cellular target in the bodily source.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the cellular target comprises a cancer cell, and wherein the bodily source comprises a drop of blood.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the antibodies are selected from the group consisting of IGF1R, Her2, EpCAM, and EGFR, and wherein the cellular target comprises a breast cancer cell.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, further comprising placing the bodily source on a plurality of biofunctional pads, each comprising a thin film of CNT's upon which is disposed antibodies selected from among a plurality of antibody types associated with the cellular target such that the bodily source may be tested against a plurality of antibody types to detect different markers potentially associated with the cellular target.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the biofunctional pad has a hydrophobic surface, and wherein the conductivity of the thin film is inversely proportional to the presence of the cellular target in the bodily source.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the biofunctional pad has a hydrophilic surface, and wherein the conductivity of the thin film is proportional to the presence of the cellular target in the bodily source.