Impedance measurements for detecting pathogens attached to antibodies

US6835552B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Robin R. Miles · Danville, US
• Kodumudi Venkateswaran · Livermore, US
• Christopher K. Fuller · Livermore, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 14, 2000
• Grant date: Dec 28, 2004
• Expiry date: Dec 14, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S436/823
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The use of impedance measurements to detect the presence of pathogens attached to antibody-coated beads. In a fluidic device antibodies are immobilized on a surface of a patterned interdigitated electrode. Pathogens in a sample fluid streaming past the electrode attach to the immobilized antibodies, which produces a change in impedance between two adjacent electrodes, which impedance change is measured and used to detect the presence of a pathogen. To amplify the signal, beads coated with antibodies are introduced and the beads would stick to the pathogen causing a greater change in impedance between the two adjacent electrodes.