Supported molecular biofluid viscosity sensors for in vitro and in vivo use

US7943390B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• The Curators of the University of Missouri · US
• The Regents of the University of California · US
• La Jolla Bioengineering Institute · US

Inventors

• Mark A. Haidekker · Athens, US
• Sheila Grant · Columbia, US
• Emmanuel A. Theodorakis · San Diego, US
• Marcos Intaglietta · Village of La Jolla, US
• John A. Frangos · Village of La Jolla, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 20, 2009
• Grant date: May 17, 2011
• Expiry date: May 1, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2011/008
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A device and a method for measuring viscosity that includes attaching molecular rotors to a solid surface, exposing the solid surface to a fluid having a viscosity to be measured, and taking optical measurements to determine viscosity. The solid surface is preferably quartz, polystyrene or silicate glass, such as a fiber optic probe or a glass cuvette. The molecular rotors are of the type that includes an electron-donor group and electron-acceptor group that are linked by a single bond so that the groups may rotate with respect to one another, and that exhibit a fluorescence emission when rotation is hindered.