Sensors for long-term and continuous monitoring of biochemicals
View Patent ↗The disclosed subject matter relates to a sensor or system for monitoring a target analyte by using a polymer solution that is capable of binding to the analyte. The sensor of the disclosed subject matter includes a viscosity-based sensor or a permittivity-based sensor. The viscosity-based sensor contains a semi-permeable membrane, a substrate, and a microchamber including a vibrational element. The permittivity-based sensor contains a semi-permeable membrane, a substrate, and a microchamber. The sensor discussed herein provides excellent reversibility and stability as highly desired for long-term analyte monitoring.
1. A sensor for monitoring a target analyte by using a polymer solution that is capable of binding to the analyte, comprising
(a) a semi-permeable membrane comprising a material permeable to the analyte;
(b) a substrate; and
(c) a microchamber including a vibrational diaphragm having a periphery formed between the semi-permeable membrane and the substrate, and adapted to receive the polymer solution, such that when the analyte is placed on the semi-permeable membrane, at least a portion of the analyte will permeate through the semi-permeable membrane and bind to at least a portion of the polymer solution to thereby cause a change in vibration of the vibrational diaphragm,
wherein the vibrational diaphragm is attached to the substrate around the entire periphery of the vibrational diaphragm.
2. the sensor of claim 1 , wherein the change in vibration of the vibrational diaphragm is caused by a change in viscosity of the polymer solution.
3. the sensor of claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises a polymer that reversely binds to the analyte.
4. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the analyte comprises glucose.
5. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises a plurality of boronic acid moieties.
6. The sensor of claim 5 , wherein the polymer comprises poly(acrylamide-ran-3-acrylamidophenylboronic acid).
7. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the vibrational diaphragm is fabricated from Parylene.
8. The sensor of claim 1 , further comprising a top electrode embedded in the vibrational diaphragm within the micro chamber to thereby form a capacitor with a bottom electrode on the substrate.
9. The sensor of claim 8 , wherein the capacitor is adapted to sense a change in the capacitance between the top electrode and the bottom electrode caused by binding between the analyte and the polymer.
10. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the vibrational diaphragm further comprises at least one integrated permalloy film.
11. The sensor of claim 10 , wherein the permalloy film further comprises a Parylene layer for passivation.