Various material on integrated chemical sensors

and other potentially related topics...

"electronic noses"

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• Links to olfaction studies .
• EEV Chemical Sensor Systems .
• Ohio State, "STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESS OF THE ELECTRONIC NOSE", by Jim Harper .
• OligoSense develops a new kind of chemiresistors for an electronic nose, based on electrically conducting oligomers .
• Caltech electronic nose project .
• Cyrano Sciences .
• AromaScan .
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Chem/Bio Defense

• CalPoly "primer" site http://www.calpoly.edu/~drjones/chemwarf.html
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Various resaerch groups, companies:

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• Ohio State Bio-Mems .
• Sensors and Microsystems Group Home Page, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Electronic Engineering
• Center for Microelectronic Sensors and MEMS (CMSM) at the University of Cincinnati
• Texas Instruments' surface plasmon device: "Spreeta"
• MIT microchip releases chemicals on demand .
• Micronics: Micro-solutions for Medical Diagnostics .
  • Laminate constructed microfluidic analyzer from Micronics .
• Caliper Technologies .
• Orchid Biocomputer .
• Gamera Bioscience (LabCD microfluidic CD) .
• Luminex Corporation .
• Sensor Technology at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory .
  • miniaturized "snap" connector .
• Alberta Microelectronic Corp., microfluidics components/manufacturing.
• CFD Research Corporation, fluid flow simulation software.
• Biologix International .
  • handheld blood gas monitors .
• i-STAT Corporation, Princeton, New Jersey
• Diametrics, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Various conferences:

• SPIE Photonics East 1998, Chemical Process Monitoring .
  • Chemical Microsensors and Applications .
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Various work on "bioelectronics"

• Glascow: http://www.elec.gla.ac.uk/~jbarker/bioelectronics/be.html
• Berkeley: http://hera.berkeley.edu/Brochure/Areas/bioelect.html
• a list of lost of links: http://www.uniroma1.it/bioprobe/Useful_Links.htm
• another list of links: http://www.nrc.ca/ibc/bioelectronics.html
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• At site: http://www.nordicsensor.com/products.htm

Future products - the Electronic Tongue

The next step for NST Artificial Senses technology is the NST Liquid Analyser, "Electronic Tongue".

Prototypes of an Electronic Tongue developed at Linköping University has shown that it can be used to classify various samples such as fruit juices, still drinks and milk. Initial tests have shown that it is possible to follow developments such as ageing processes of milk and orange juice when stored at room temperature. Although these initial tests are not particularly complicated, the possible range of applications for the Electronic Tongue is believed to be as widespread as for the Electronic Nose.

• At site: http://www.eln.utovrm.it/~dinatale/publications.html

Legin A.V., Rudnitskaya A.M., Vlasov Yu.G., Di Natale C., D'Amico A.; "Electronic tongue" a multisensor device for on-site analysis of complex liquids, The 9th International Conference on Modern Materials and Technologies: CIMTEC '98 Florence 14-19 June, 1998

• At site: http://www.pi.cnr.it/cnrbrux/ParCraft.html

Use of surface plasmon microscopy in an electronic tongue. Surfaceplasmon microscopy is a technique with which separate optical signals can be obtained from hundreds of small portions of a chip. These signals will have a certain relationship to the chemical composition of the water sample, if a chemically sensitive substance is applied to the chip surface. The projects aims to apply a large number of different sensitive substances to the different portions of the chip. This will form the basis for the development of an electronic tongue, which can give an impression of the chemical composition of the water, in the same way as existing electronic noses do for the gas phase. 3T, an engineering company and the MESA institute of the University of Twente co-operate in this project.

• At site: http://link.springer.de/link/service/journals/00216/bibs/8361003/83610255.htm

Abstract Volume 361 Issue 3 (1998) pp 255-260 ; conference contribution: Non-selective chemical sensors in analytical chemistry: from "electronic nose" to "electronic tongue," Y. Vlasov, Andrey Legin, Laboratory of Chemical Sensors, Chemistry Department, St. Petersburg University, St. Petersburg 199034, Russia

Received: 17 July 1997 / Revised: 19 February 1998 / Accepted: 24 February 1998

Abstract Development, recent historical background and analytical applications of promising sensor instruments based on sensor arrays with data processing by pattern recognition methods have been described. Attention is paid to the "electronic tongue" based on an array of original non-specific (non-selective) potentiometric chemical sensors. Application results for integral qualitative analysis of beverages and for quantitative analysis of biological liquids and solutions, containing heavy metals are reported. Discriminating abilities and precision obtained allow to consider "electronic tongue" as a perspective analytical tool.

• US patent #5512490 : Optical sensor, optical sensing apparatus, and methods for detecting an analyte of interest using spectral recognition patterns, Walt; David R., Lexington, MA; Kauer; John S., Weston, MA, Assignee: Tufts; ISSUED: Apr. 30, 1996; FILED: Aug. 11, 1994
  • ABSTRACT: The present invention is an optical detection and identification system and provides an optic sensor, an optic sensing apparatus and methodology for detecting and evaluating one or more analytes or ligands of interest, either alone or in admixture. The optic sensor of the system is comprised of a supporting member and an array formed of heterogeneous, semi-selective thin films which function as sensing receptor units and are able to detect a variety of different analytes and ligands using spectral recognition patterns.
  • pdf of claims, citations .
• US patent #4785814 : Optical probe for measuring pH and oxygen in blood and employing a composite membrane, Kane; James, Miami, FL; ASSIGNEES: Cordis Corporation, Miami, FL; ISSUED: Nov. 22, 1988.
  • ABSTRACT: An optical probe is presented for use in measuring pH and oxygen content in blood in a blood vessel within a living body. An elongated flexible optical fiber means is provided which has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is adapted to be inserted into a blood vessel. A membrane is secured to the distal end of the optical fiber and receives light from the distal end of the fiber and returns light therethrough to the proximal end. The membrane is constructed of hydrophilic porous material containing a pH sensitive dye. A plurality of microspheres are embedded in and carried by the membrane. These microspheres are constructed hydrophobic material and each carries a fluorescent dye quenchable with oxygen. Consequently, when light is supplied to the proximal end of the optical fiber, it is conveyed to the membrane. This causes the pH sensitive dye to react and light is conveyed through the optical fiber having an intensity level indicative of the pH level in the blood. The oxygen sensitive dye fluoresces and light is transmitted to the proximal end of an intensity which varies with the partial pressure of oxygen.
• US patent #5320814 : Fiber optic array sensors, apparatus, and methods for concurrently visualizing and chemically detecting multiple analytes of interest in a fluid sample, INVENTORS: Walt; David R., Lexington, MA; Barnard; Steven M., Basel, Switzerland; ASSIGNEES: Trustees of Tufts College, Medford, MA; ISSUED: June 14, 1994; FILED: Nov. 25, 1992.
  • ABSTRACT: The present invention provides a unique fiber optic sensor which is able to provide a viewing zone for visual examination of a sample and its surrounding environment; and is able to conduct multiple assays concurrently using a plurality of different dyes immobilized at individual spatial positions within a dye sensing zone on the surface of the sensor. The present invention also provides apparatus for making precise optical determinations and measurements for multiple analytes of interest concurrently and provides methods of detection for multiple analytes of interest which can be correlated with specific parameters or other ligands for specific applications and purposes.
• US Patent Number 5409666 : Title: Sensors and methods for sensing; Patent Issue Date: 1995 04 25; Inventor(s): Nagel, Colleen C. , MN; Bentsen, James G. , MN; Dektar, John L. , CA; Kipke, Cary A. , MN; Yafuso, Masao , CA; Katritzky, Alan R. , FL; Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company , St. Paul, MN; No. of claims: 31 / No. of figures: 4 / No. of drawing sheets: 4
  • Abstract: A sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a medium is disclosed. In one embodiment, the sensor comprises a sensing element including a matrix material and, covalently bonded thereto, one or more monomeric indicator components each of which is capable of providing a first emitted signal of a given wavelength in response to being exposed to an excitation signal. The sensing element is capable of providing a second emitted signal having a longer wavelength than the first emitted signal or signals in response to being exposed to the excitation signal, the second emitted signal being provided by an excimer component produced in the sensing element from the monomeric indicator component(s) and being dependent on the concentration of the analyte in the medium to a greater extent than the first emitted signal or signals. In another embodiment, the sensor comprises a sensing element including two or more different monomeric components at least one of which is a monomeric indicator component capable of providing a first emitted signal in response to being exposed to a first excitation signal. The sensing element is capable of providing a second emitted signal in response to being exposed to a second excitation signal. This second emitted signal is provided by an exciplex produced from the monomeric components. This second emitted signal is preferably dependent on the concentration of the analyte in the medium. An excitation assembly is positioned and adapted to provide the excitation signal to the sensing element. A detector assembly is positioned and adapted to detect the second emitted signal. Preferably, a processor assembly is positioned and adapted to analyze the second emitted signal in determining the concentration of the analyte in the medium.
• US5797898: Microchip drug delivery devices: Inventor(s): Santini, Jr.; John T. , Jackson, MI Cima; Michael J. , Lexington, MA Langer; Robert S. , Newton, MA; Applicant(s): Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA; Issued/Filed Dates: Aug. 25, 1998 / July 2, 1996; IPC Class: A61K 009/22; Class: 604/890.1; 604/093; Field of Search: 604/890.1,891.1,93 128/899; Priority Number(s): US1996000675375
  • Abstract: Microchips are provided, which control both the rate and time of release of multiple chemical substances and which allow for the release of a wide variety of molecules in either a continuous or pulsatile manner. In all of the preferred embodiments, a material that is impermeable to the drugs or other molecules to be delivered and the surrounding fluids is used as the substrate. Reservoirs are etched into the substrate using either chemical (wet) etching or ion beam (dry) etching techniques well known in the field of microfabrication. Hundreds to thousands of reservoirs can be fabricated on a single microchip using these techniques. The molecules to be delivered are inserted into the reservoirs by injection or spin coating methods in their pure form or in a release system. Exemplary release systems include polymers and polymeric matrices, non-polymeric matrices, and other excipients or diluents. The physical properties of the release system control the rate of release of the molecules. The reservoirs can contain multiple drugs or other molecules in variable dosages. The filled reservoirs can be capped with materials that either degrade or allow the molecules to diffuse passively out of the reservoir over time or materials that oxidize and dissolve upon application of an electric potential. Release from an active device can be controlled by a preprogrammed microprocessor, remote control, or by biosensors.
  • first claim: 1. A microchip device for the release of molecules comprising a substrate, at least two reservoirs in the substrate containing the molecules, and each reservoir having a reservoir cap positioned on the reservoir over the molecules so that the molecules are released from the device by diffusion through or upon disintegration of the reservoir caps, and wherein release of the molecules from the reservoir is controlled by said diffusion through or disintegration of the reservoir cap.
• US5382512: Assay device with captured particle reagent: Inventors: Smethers; Rick T. , Fremont, CA; Warner; Brian D., Martinez, CA; Applicant(s): Chiron Corporation, Emeryville, CA; Issued/Filed Dates: Jan. 17, 1995 / Aug. 23, 1993
  • Abstract: The invention describes an assay device and assembly for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample. Each assay device in the assembly includes structure defining a well, a ligand-coated particle, and a flexible particle retaining structure for holding the particle in a captured position within the well.
  • Claim 1 of 9. An assay device for use in detecting an analyte in a liquid sample by means of a detectable reaction that is related to the amount of analyte present in the sample, comprising wall means defining a well having a bottom wall and an upper opening through which such a reaction can be detected, a particle having surface-bound ligand molecules for use in analyte detection, said particle being supported on said bottom wall, and flexible retaining means attached to said wall means, for retaining said particle in a captured position within said well, when the retaining means is in an undeformed condition, and which can be deformed to admit said particle into the well.

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