PLASMONIC COFFEE-RING PATTERN DIAGNOSTIC DEVICES AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THEM

Patent Status

Brief Description

The reliable detection of trace amounts of analytes, such as disease biomarkers or environmental toxins, requires complex and often time-consuming laboratory techniques, limiting rapid point-of-care diagnostics. This innovation provides a simple, rapid, and highly sensitive diagnostic method, termed Plasmonic Coffee-Ring Pattern Diagnostic Devices, for detecting analytes of interest. The core technology, developed by researchers, involves a specialized nanoporous or mesoporous hydrophilic membrane that has been chemically treated to achieve an intermediate wettability (intermediate between hydrophilic and hydrophobic). A drop of sample is allowed to dry on this treated membrane, capturing any target analyte. A subsequent, overlapping drop of functionalized gold nanoshells is applied, which interacts with the immobilized analyte to form a distinct, visible plasmonic pattern (a "coffee-ring" effect) that signals the analyte's presence. This pattern-based method enables the detection of analytes at concentrations as low as 5 pg/mL, offering an order-of-magnitude increase in sensitivity compared to many alternative rapid diagnostic platforms. Furthermore, the reproducible pattern can be read and interpreted using machine learning-assisted embodiments to precisely quantify the analyte present in the sample.

Suggested uses

● Rapid, ultra-sensitive diagnostic testing for infectious diseases (e.g., viral or bacterial pathogens) at the point-of-care.

● Early-stage detection and monitoring of trace biomarkers for chronic diseases (e.g., cancer, cardiac conditions) from body fluid samples.

● Environmental monitoring for trace contaminants, toxins, or pollutants in water or air samples.

● Food safety screening for allergens, pathogens, or adulterants at ultra-low levels.

● Drug monitoring and therapeutic drug management where minute concentrations must be measured.

Advantages

● Ultra-High Sensitivity: Achieves detection limits as low as 5 pg/mL, offering a significant improvement over many current rapid diagnostic tests.

● Simplicity and Speed: The core assay relies on simple drop-drying and visual pattern formation, making it highly suitable for fast, inexpensive, point-of-care use.

● Versatile Platform: The core membrane and gold nanoshells can be functionalized to detect a wide array of target analytes, including proteins, antibodies, and nucleic acids.

● Quantification Potential: Integration with machine learning allows for the quantitative determination of analyte concentration, moving beyond simple qualitative results.

● Controlled Deposition: The treated membrane's intermediate wettability is key to creating a reproducible and clear "coffee-ring" pattern, enhancing reliability and readout clarity.

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