# US 9,752,980 B1 · Portable cortisol sensing platform based on compact UV light sources > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,752,980 B1 - Document ID: US9752980B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/370,257 - Filed: 2016-12-06 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-12-06 - Assignees: The Florida International University Board of Trustees - Applicants: Nezih Pala; Raju Sinha; Phani Kiran Vabbina - Inventors: Nezih Pala; Raju Sinha; Phani Kiran Vabbina - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752980B1 ## CPC - G01N 21/33: using ultraviolet light (G01N21/39 takes precedence) - A61B 5/0002: {Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network (endoradiosondes A61B5/07)} - A61B 5/14546: {for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes} - A61B 5/1455: using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters - A61B 5/6898: {Portable consumer electronic devices, e.g. music players, telephones, tablet computers} - G01N 21/03: Cuvette constructions - G01N 33/487: of liquid biological material - G01N 2201/12746: Calibration values determination - 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) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Systems and methods for detecting a biological analyte are provided. The biological analyte can be, for example, cortisol. Detection can be achieved without external labels/mediators. Microfluidic systems can be incorporated into the optical sensor for enhanced point-of-care applications. The sensor can be used in a variety of low-power electronics for wearable applications. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sensing device for measuring the concentration of cortisol in a test sample, the sensing device comprising: a UV light source configured to emit light of a wavelength between 220 nm and 260 nm; a semiconductor photodiode configured to measure optical absorption of the test sample in terms of a response of the photodiode; a wireless communication module configured to analyze the response of the photodiode and compute the concentration of a target analyte; and a casing enclosing the UV light source and the semiconductor photodiode, the casing being adapted to facilitate wearable applications, the photodiode and the light source being positioned such that the photodiode receives a signal reflected and scattered by the test sample, the device being configured to match an electrical potential corresponding to the measured optical absorption to the concentration of cortisol and selectively detect cortisol when one or more steroid hormones selected from progesterone, prednisolone, testosterone, and estradiol are present, and the device being configured to shift an absorption peak of at least one of progesterone, prednisolone, testosterone, and estradiol. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, further comprising a platform for receiving user input and a display module for outputting the concentration of cortisol in the test sample. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the test sample is a human physiological fluid selected from sweat and saliva. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be placed on the skin of a human subject. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to measure the concentration of cortisol without the use of any external label or mediator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, further comprising a microfluidic system incorporated therein. ### Claim 7 A sensing apparatus for measuring concentration of a target analyte in a test sample, the sensing apparatus comprising: a light source comprising at least one UV LED; a semiconductor photodetector; a device configured to measure and display a response of the photodetector; and an optically transparent sample container for holding the test sample, the photodetector being positioned opposite the light source and the sample container being positioned between the light source and the photodetector, the device being configured to match an electrical potential measured by the photodetector to the concentration of the target analyte, and the device being configured to shift an absorption peak of at least one hormone in the test sample. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the target analyte is a steroid hormone selected from cortisol, progesterone, prednisolone, testosterone, and estradiol, wherein the test sample is a human physiological fluid selected from sweat, saliva, blood, plasma, serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and tears, wherein the optically transparent sample container for holding the test sample is a quartz cuvette, and wherein the light source emits light at a specific wavelength determined by the optical absorption peak of the target analyte. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the apparatus is configured to measure the concentration of cortisol without the use of any external label or mediator. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a microfluidic system incorporated therein.