Sensor having piezoelectric crystal for microgravimetric immunoassays
AssigneeTexas A&M University
InventorGlenn J. Bastiaans
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sensor and method for performing immunoassays using surface acoustic waves on a piezoelectric crystal is provided. A specific antigen or antibody is bonded to the surface of the piezoelectric crystal and its resonant frequency in a blank solution is determined. The sensor is then exposed to a test solution containing an antigen or antibody corresponding to the substance bonded to the surface of the crystal. As the antigen and antibody react, the resonant frequency of the crystal is altered. This change can be correlated to determine the amount of antigen or antibody in the test solution. A nonreactive reference sensor can also be used to compensate for any nonselective adsorption.
Claims18
A method for performing immunoassays, said method comprising the steps of:
- measuring in a blank solution the resonant frequency of a piezoelectric crystal having an antibody or antigen bonded to the surface thereof;
- exposing said antibody or antigen on said crystal to a test solution containing an antigen or antibody corresponding to said bonded antibody or antigen for a period such that the antigen can bind with the corresponding antibody so as to increase the mass on the surface of the crystal;
- and
- measuring in said test solution the resonant frequency of the piezoelectric crystal and determining the change in frequency.
A sensor for performing immunoassays comprising:
- an indicator piezoelectric crystal having a specific antigen or antibody bonded to a portion of the surface thereof;
- means for forming surface acoustic waves on said crystal such that said waves pass through said antigen or antibody;
- and
- means for determining the resonant frequency of the surface acoustic waves on said crystal.
An apparatus for performing immunoassays comprising:
- a first indicator sensor comprising a piezoelectric crystal having a specific antigen or antibody bonded to a portion of the surface thereof;
- a reference sensor comprising a piezoelectric crystal adapted such that it is substantially nonreactive with antigens and antibodies;
- means for creating surface acoustic waves on said indicator sensor and said reference sensor;
- and
- means for measuring the resonant frequencies of said indicator sensor and said reference sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.