Sub-micron surface plasmon resonance sensor systems

1. A method for providing a functionalized micro-sensor for detecting the presence of two or more different target analytes, ligands or molecules in a test fluid, comprising:

providing surface plasmon resonant (SPR) elements in two or more bands corresponding to each of the targets, mounted on a common light transmissive substrate, where the SPR elements include a light transmissive bead formed in a geometric shape that can sustain periodic boundary conditions for a stationary plasmon resonance wave to travel across the outer surface thereof, and a pinhole is defined at the interface between said SPR element and the light transmissive substrate;

defining a fluid flow channel corresponding to each of the two or more bands of SPR elements;

flowing a functionalizing chemical through each fluid flow channel capable of functionalizing the SPR elements in the corresponding band to bind with the corresponding target.

2. A method for providing a functionalized micro-sensor for detecting the presence of two or more different target analytes, ligands or molecules in a test fluid, comprising:

providing a plurality of surface plasmon resonant (SPR) elements mounted on a common light transmissive substrate, where the SPR elements include a light transmissive bead formed in a geometric shape that can sustain periodic boundary conditions for a stationary plasmon resonance wave to travel across the outer surface thereof, and a pinhole is defined at the interface between said SPR element and the light transmissive substrate; and

exposing each SPR element individually to a chemical capable of functionalizing the SPR element to bind with a corresponding target.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of exposing each SPR element includes using a micro-spotter to apply the functionalizing chemical thereto.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of exposing each SPR element includes providing a mask over the plurality of SPR elements.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of exposing each SPR element includes forming a spot including a plurality of adjacent SPR elements in which all SPR elements in the spot are commonly functionalized.

6. A device for detecting one or more disease markers in the blood of a patient, comprising:

a micro-sensor having an array of surface plasmon resonant (SPR) elements mounted on a light transmissive substrate, at least one group of one or more SPR elements being functionalized to detect at least one corresponding disease marker, a light source and detector arranged to sense light passing through the array of SPR elements, and a housing defining a fluid cavity over the array of SPR elements;

wherein the SPR elements include a light transmissive bead formed in a geometric shape that can sustain periodic boundary conditions for a stationary plasmon resonance wave to travel across the outer surface thereof, and a pinhole is defined at the interface between said SPR element and the substrate.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the fluid cavity is coupled to a catheterization tube disposed within the patient.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein the disease is sepsis.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein:

two or more groups of SPR elements are functionalized to detect two or more corresponding different molecules indicative of sepsis.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the two or more markers are selected from the list consisting of TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, and TGF-β.