Method and apparatus for sensing a time varying current passing through an ion channel
AssigneeElectronic Bio Sciences, LLC
InventorsAndrew D. Hibbs, Regina E. Dugan
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Abstract
A capacitive sensing system is used to measure a time-varying ion current through a channel, such as an ion channel or protein pore. Such a capacitive system does not suffer problems of electrode corrosion and, when used with methods to control a build up of ion concentration, allows the use of measurement volumes around the channel with dimensions on a scale of nanometers.
Claims27
An apparatus for sensing a time varying current passing through a channel provided in a membrane comprising:
- a membrane including a channel located therein;
- a voltage source for establishing a potential difference across the channel and driving an ionic current through the channel;
- and
- a capacitive sensing electrode positioned to measure an electrical property of the membrane.
A method of sensing a time varying current passing through a channel in a membrane located between a bath and a sensing volume comprising:
- placing an analyte in the bath;
- applying a driving voltage across the channel;
- and
- measuring an electrical property of the membrane with a capacitive sensing electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.