Electrolysis: processes – compositions used therein – and methods – Electrolytic analysis or testing – Using semipermeable membrane
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-06
2003-02-04
Warden, Jill (Department: 1743)
Electrolysis: processes, compositions used therein, and methods
Electrolytic analysis or testing
Using semipermeable membrane
C205S789000, C205S778000, C204S416000, C204S431000, C204S403060
Reexamination Certificate
active
06514402
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to an electrical/biological interface sensor and, in particular, to a sensor and method capable of detecting an air borne or exogenously introduced analyte including, for example, a hazardous chemical.
2. Description of Related Art
Manufacturers of electrical/biological interface sensors have been trying to design such sensors that are both reliable and easy to assemble. An electrical/biological interface sensor is basically a sensor incorporating a biosensor that can transform a biological process into an electrical output when it detects a specific analyte (e.g., hazardous chemical). Examples of traditional electrical/biological interface sensors are briefly discussed below and described in PCT Patent Application No. WO 00/25121 which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Referring to
FIGS. 1A and 1B
(PRIOR ART), there are respectively illustrated a side view and a top view of a traditional sensor
100
described in the aforementioned PCT Patent Application No. WO 00/25121. This traditional sensor
100
is fabricated as a chip and has an electrically insulating barrier defined by a silicone substrate
102
and a thin film insulating layer
104
(e.g., silicone nitride) positioned in electrical communication with an electrical circuit
118
,
120
and
122
. The electrical circuit
118
,
120
and
122
is constructed and arranged to detect changes in the electrical characteristic of an ion channel(s) in a hole
110
covered by a lipid bilayer of the insulating layer
104
which is positioned between two electrolytes
106
and
108
.
The two electrolyte containers
112
and
114
are constructed to contain electrolytes
106
and
108
, respectively, and to position the electrolytes
106
and
108
in contact with different sides of the insulating layer
104
. Container
112
includes a passageway
116
that allows exposure of electrolyte
106
to an analyte. In some cases, the containers
112
and
114
can be removed from and reattached to the electrically insulating barrier
102
and
104
using an adhesive, snap-fit, auxiliary fasteners or the like.
Electrical circuitry
118
,
120
and
122
is provided to electrically contact the electrolytes
106
and
108
in containers
112
and
114
. As illustrated, a positive bias electrode
118
is partially immersed in the electrolyte
106
and a negative bias electrode
120
is partially immersed in the electrolyte
108
.
FIG. 1A
depicts electrode
120
as being positioned adjacent to one side of insulating layer
104
, and electrode
118
is shown as being positioned against the silicon substrate
102
which in turn is positioned against the insulating layer
104
. The electrodes
118
and
120
can be connected to an integrated circuit amplifier and bias generator
122
that indicates the presence of an analyte in response to a change in the electrical characteristic of the ion channel(s).
Referring to
FIGS. 2A and 2B
(PRIOR ART), there are respectively illustrated a disassembled side view and an assembled side view of another traditional sensor
200
described in the aforementioned PCT Patent Application No. WO 00/25121. This traditional sensor
200
includes a barrier
202
having a top side
204
and a bottom side
206
as oriented in the illustrations. The barrier
202
is based upon an annular silicon ring
208
that tapers, at its center, to a relatively large hole. A silicon nitride thin film layer is provided on the bottom side of the silicon ring
208
which includes a hole
210
at its center, concentric with the hole in the center of the silicon ring
208
, but much smaller, on the order of 1 micron or less. The silicon nitride thin film layer extends centrally into the hole in the silicon ring
208
and defines part of the electrically insulating barrier. Although, not shown, within hole
210
is a lipid bilayer membrane including an ion channel(s). An electrically insulating layer
212
covers the top side
204
of the silicon ring
208
and extends centrally beyond the silicon ring
208
into the hole within the silicon ring
208
and onto the silicon nitride thin film layer but does not extend to hole
210
. Thus, the silicon ring
208
, the silicon nitride thin film layer and the electrically insulating layer
212
define the barrier
202
.
The tapering portion within the center of the silicon ring
208
is suitable for receiving an electrolyte solution
214
. Below the bottom side
206
of the barrier
202
is provided a bottom component
216
which includes a center receptacle
218
positioned for alignment with the hole
210
. The receptacle
218
contains an electrode
220
(e.g., silver) and is suitable for receiving a second electrolyte solution
222
.
The traditional sensor
200
also includes a top portion
224
having a second electrode
226
(e.g., silver) positioned in or near the center thereof. The bottom portion
216
and the top portion
224
are constructed of an electrically insulating material and designed to snap-fit together, sandwiching therebetween the middle portion including the barrier
202
. Seals, such as Sylgard® seals
228
can be provided to mate with portions of the bottom portion
216
and the top portion
224
to create isolated chambers containing the electrolytes
214
and
222
immediately above and below the hole
210
.
When the traditional sensor
200
is assembled, the electrolytes
214
and
222
are brought into contact with opposite sides of the hole
210
, thus in contact with opposite sides of the ion channel(s) (not shown) within the hole
210
. Electrical circuitry (not shown) connects electrodes
220
and
226
and indicates the presence of the analyte in response to a change in the electrical characteristic of the ion channel(s). In other words, when the traditional sensor
200
is exposed to air containing the analyte which passed through passages
230
and diffused through electrolyte
214
and then binded to a pore(s) of the ion channel(s) within hole
210
its presence can be sensed by the electrical circuitry.
Referring to
FIGS. 3A and 3B
(PRIOR ART), there are respectively illustrated a sectional side view and top view of yet another traditional sensor
300
described in the aforementioned PCT Patent Application No. WO 00/25121. This traditional sensor
300
includes a barrier
302
separating electrolytes
304
and
306
within bottom and top containers
308
and
310
, respectively, defined by the connection of bottom component
312
and top component
314
, respectively, to barrier
302
. As illustrated, the bottom component
312
defines, itself, an electrode addressed by an electrical lead
316
, and top component
314
defines, itself, an electrode addressed by an electrical lead
318
. Electrolyte solution
304
completely fills the bottom container
308
, but electrolyte solution
306
only partially fills the top container
310
, the remainder of which is filled with air. This partially assists in compensating for expansion and contraction of the electrolyte solution
306
. Electrical leads
316
and
318
can connect to electrical circuitry (not shown) that is similar to the electrical circuitry described above with respect to traditional sensors
100
and
200
.
The barrier
302
includes a central portion
320
that is electrically insulating and flexible enough to adjust for thermal expansion and contraction of the electrolyte solution
304
in the bottom container
308
to the extent that electrolyte solution
304
can completely fill the bottom container
308
without void space. The top component
314
includes a central passageway
322
used to introduce the electrolyte solution
306
into the top container
310
such that the electrolyte solution
306
is in contact with a thin film
324
. The top component
314
also includes peripheral passages
326
that allow introduction of analyte-containing fluid (e.g. air) into the top container
310
for diffusion through the electrolyte solution
306
into contact with a pore(s) mounted wi
Iyer Narayan V.
Lacey William J.
Root David M.
Beall Thomas R.
Corning Incorporated
Noguerola Alexander
Tucker William J.
Warden Jill
LandOfFree
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