TRI-ELECTRODE APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MOLECULAR ANALYSIS

摘要

The claimed invention is an apparatus and method for performing impedance spectroscopy with a handheld measuring device. Conformal analyte sensor circuits comprising a porous nanotextured substrate and a conductive material situated on the top surface of the solid substrate in a circuit design may be used alone or in combination with a handheld potentiometer. Also disclosed are methods of detecting and/or quantifying target analytes in a sample using a handheld measuring device.

主权项

1. A method of detecting or quantifying multiple types of target analytes in a sample using a handheld measuring device and a conformal analyte sensor circuit comprising the steps of:
(a) placing a sample containing multiple target analytes on a conformal substrate having a sensor circuit comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode; (b) applying a first alternating input electric voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode at a first phase angle; (c) applying a second alternating input electric voltage between the third electrode and the second electrode at a second phase angle, wherein the first phase angle and the second phase angle are separated by a constant delta phase angle; (d) measuring the output current at different frequencies and varying phase angles for different analytes; (e) amplifying an output current flowing from the first electrode and from the third electrode through the second electrode using a programmable gain amplifier; (f) sectioning an electrical double layer into a plurality of planes, wherein the electrical double layer is proximal to a surface of first electrode, a surface of the second electrode, and a surface of the third electrode; (g) varying the first phase angle of the first input electric voltage and the second phase angle of the second input electric voltage; (h) identifying the first phase angle and the second phase angle at which a maximum impedance change occurs; (i) measuring the impedance identified at the first phase angle and the second phase angle; and (j) using the measured impedance and associated phase angle and output current at different frequencies to detect multiple target analytes or calculate concentrations of target analytes by use of a standard calibration curve.