Methods, devices, systems and computer program products for stochastic, competitive, force-based analyte detection
OwnerEric Toone, Piotr Marszalek +2inventors
InventorsEric Toone, Piotr Marszalek, Robert L. Clark, Phil Snyder
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cantilever array can be positioned adjacent a surface in the presence of a sample. The cantilever array includes a plurality of cantilevers having one member of a specific binding pair thereon. The surface includes the other member of a specific binding pair. Binding between the members of the binding pair on the cantilevers and the surface can be detected. The presence, absence and/or concentration of a member of the specific binding pair in the sample can be detected based on the detected binding between the specific binding pair member on the cantilevers and the specific binding pair member on the surface.
Claims19
A method for detecting a concentration of a member of a specific binding pair in a sample, the method comprising:
- positioning a cantilever array adjacent a surface in the presence of a sample, wherein the cantilever array comprises a plurality of cantilevers having a first member of a specific binding pair thereon and the surface comprises a second member of the specific binding pair;
- detecting a number of binding events between the first member of the specific binding pair on the plurality of cantilevers and the second member of the specific binding pair on the surface;
- and
- determining a concentration of the first and/or second member of the specific binding pair in the sample based on the detected number of binding events between the first member of the specific binding pair on the plurality of cantilevers and the second member of the specific binding pair on the surface wherein a binding event between the first member of the specific binding pair on one of the plurality of cantilevers and the second member of the specific binding pair on the surface causes deflection of a respective cantilever toward the surface, and detecting one of the binding events comprises:
- applying a force to at least one of the cantilever array and/or the surface in a direction generally opposite the other of the cantilever array and/or the surface;
- and
- detecting a separation of one or more of the plurality of cantilevers from the surface.
A system for detecting a member of a specific binding pair in a sample, the system comprising:
- a sample chamber configured to hold a sample therein;
- at least one cantilever having a first member of a specific binding pair thereon, wherein the surface comprises a second member of the specific binding pair;
- a controller configured to detect a number of binding events between the first member of the specific binding pair on the cantilever and the second member of the specific binding pair on the surface to determine a concentration of the first and/or second member of the specific binding pair in the sample based on the number of detected binding events between the first member of the specific binding pair on the cantilever and the second member of the specific binding pair on the surface wherein a binding event between the first member of the specific binding pair on the at least one cantilever and the second member of the specific binding pair on the surface causes deflection of a respective cantilever toward the surface, and the controller is configured to detect one of the binding events by:
- applying a force to at least one of the cantilever and/or the surface in a direction generally opposite the other of the cantilever and/or the surface;
- and
- detecting a separation of the at least one cantilever from the surface.
A method for detecting a concentration of a member of a specific binding pair in a sample, the method comprising:
- positioning a cantilever adjacent a surface in the presence of a sample, wherein the cantilever has a first member of a specific binding pair thereon and the surface comprises a second member of the specific binding pair;
- repeating the positioning step to detect a number of binding events between the first member of the specific binding pair on the cantilever and the second member of the specific binding pair on the surface;
- and
- determining a concentration of the first and/or second member of the specific binding pair in the sample based on the detected number of binding events between the first member of the specific binding pair on the cantilever and the second member of the specific binding pair on the surface wherein a binding event between the first member of the specific binding pair on one of the plurality of cantilevers and the second member of the specific binding pair on the surface causes deflection of a respective cantilever toward the surface, and detecting one of the binding events comprises:
- applying a force to at least one of the cantilever array and/or the surface in a direction generally opposite the other of the cantilever array and/or the surface;
- and
- detecting a separation of one or more of the plurality of cantilevers from the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.