Antibody coated crystal chemical sensor
US5179028A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 20, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jan 12, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 20, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S436/908
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sensor for detecting the presence of a particular chemical by determining the absolute frequency shift in the oscillating frequency of an antibody-coated oscillator. Specific antibodies deposited on a high Q crystal oscillator detect the change in frequency as chemical particulates become trapped by the antibodies and change the effective mass of the crystal. In one embodiment, two oscillating crystals are used, one that has been coated with the antibodies, and one that is uncoated. This permits detection of frequency differences between the oscillating frequencies of the two crystals, thus eliminating pressure, temperature, and humidity corrections that conventionally must be made. The sensor maintains a high specificity by using antibodies that are specifically related to the chemical to be detected, while achieving relatively good sensitivity by using high Q oscillators, such as quartz or sapphire, and eliminating drift problems due to temperature, pressure, and humidity. In a second embodiment, a single crystal is used having antibodies coated at specific nodal locations associated with harmonics of the fundamental frequency of oscillation of the crystal. Harmonic amplitudes …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.