Electric-field imager for assays
AssigneeMaxim Integrated Products, Inc.
InventorsRonald B. Koo, Henry Grage
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This disclosure describes an electric-field imaging system and method of use. In accordance with implementations of the electric-field imaging system, a fluid sample can be placed on top of a pixel-based impedance sensor. An image of the target analytes can be created immediately afterwards. From this image, computer imaging algorithms can determine attributes (e.g., size, type, morphology, volume, distribution, number, concentration, or motility, etc.) of the target analytes. The electric-field imaging sensor can be used for a variety of agglutination or agglomeration assays.
Claims20
A system for investigating one or more target analytes, comprising:
- a fluid sample for an agglutination or agglomeration assay;
- an impedance-based sensor including a plurality of metal panels that define an active sensor area with a sensor pitch that is higher frequency than a Nyquist spatial sampling rate suitable for detecting a smallest member of a group of one or more target analytes in the fluid sample;
- and
- a processor configured to receive electrical signals associated with a change in impedance or charge from the plurality of metal panels when the fluid sample is placed on the active sensor area, the processor further configured to generate at least one image frame based on the electrical signals received from the plurality of metal panels.
A method of performing an assay, comprising:
- placing a fluid sample on an active sensor area of an impedance-based sensor, wherein the active sensor area is defined by a plurality of metal panels, the fluid sample containing one or more target analytes for an agglutination or agglomeration assay;
- detecting changes in impedance or charge based on electrical signals generated by the plurality of metal panels;
- generating a plurality of images based upon detected changes in impedance or charge caused by the one or more target analytes in the fluid sample over a period of time;
- and
- determining one or more attributes of the one or more target analytes in the fluid sample for the agglutination or agglomeration assay based on the plurality of images generated over the period of time.
An impedance-based sensor, comprising:
- a plurality of metal panels that define an active sensor area configured to receive a fluid sample for an agglutination or agglomeration assay;
- and
- a processor configured to receive electrical signals associated with a change in impedance or charge from the plurality of metal panels when the fluid sample is placed on the active sensor area, the processor further configured to generate at least one image frame based on the electrical signals received from the plurality of metal panels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.