# US 7,745,220 B2 · Devices and methods for analyte detection using distorted liquid crystals

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- Number: US 7,745,220 B2
- Document ID: US7745220B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/542,432
- Filed: 2006-10-03
- Published: 2010-04-01
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2005-10-03
- Assignees: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
- Inventors: Nicholas L. Abbott; Brian H. Clare
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7745220B2

## CPC

- C09K 19/12: at least two benzene rings directly linked, e.g. biphenyls
- 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
- B82Y 40/00: Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
- C09K 19/00: Liquid crystal materials
- G01N 21/21: Polarisation-affecting properties (G01N21/19 takes precedence)
- G01N 33/54373: {involving physiochemical end-point determination, e.g. wave-guides, FETS, gratings}
- G01N 2021/7769: {Measurement method of reaction-produced change in sensor}
- Y10T 436/2575: Volumetric liquid transfer
- C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- B82Y: SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES
- 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)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

The present invention provides devices and methods for detection of analytes based on measuring the anchoring strength of liquid crystals having distorted geometries. Methods for detecting an analyte in a sample include the steps of: (a) capturing an analyte on a substrate surface wherein the substrate surface defines an easy axis when in contact with a liquid crystal. Substrate surface and liquid crystal are brought into contact and an analyte-dependent departure in the orientation of the liquid crystal from the easy axis of the substrate surface is measured. This departure indicates the presence of the analyte in the sample.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for detecting an analyte in a sample, comprising:
(a) contacting the sample with a substrate surface that defines a first easy axis when in contact with liquid crystal;
(b) providing a reference surface that defines a second easy axis when in contact with liquid crystal such that the substrate surface faces but is spaced apart from said reference surface, and wherein the easy axis of the substrate surface and the easy axis of said reference surface are rotated from one another by a known angle that is not zero;
(c) introducing a liquid crystal between the reference surface and the substrate surface; and
(d) measuring the departure of the orientation of the liquid crystal from the easy axis of the substrate surface, wherein a non-zero departure indicates the presence of the analyte in the sample.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1 wherein the sample is contacted with the substrate surface with an affinity stamp by affinity micro-contact printing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1 wherein said reference surface and said substrate surface form a wedge-shaped cavity in which is positioned said liquid crystal.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1 wherein the analyte is a biomolecule, an assembly of biomolecules, a virus, a cell, or a synthetic molecule.