This system prevents sample depletion in the stagnant layer across the sensor surface and results in efficient mixing of the sample during the biosensor measurement.

The invention is a sample delivery system with at least two microchannels connected to a sample chamber containing a biosensor.  Biosensing for studying molecular recognition has become an important biophysical tool for biomedical research.  The system aspirates a small sample volume into the microfluidic channels and applies a periodic oscillatory flow pattern to the sample.  This prevents sample depletion in the stagnant layer across the sensor surface and results in efficient mixing of the sample during the biosensor measurement.  Because the oscillatory flow pattern does not produce a net transport of the sample with time, there is a very long incubation time of the sensor surfaces with a very small sample volume.  The new sample delivery system uses sample volumes of only 3 to 8 microliters, compared to the 25 to 200 microliter volumes of conventional systems, which use cuvette principles or continuous flow microfluidics.  The present invention is substantially better than existing systems with respect to biosensor contact time and required sample volume.

 

Application:  Sample delivery for biosensing

Development Status:  A prototype of the technology is currently being implemented in inventor’s lab and technology is ready for commercialization.

Publication:  M Abrantes, MT Magone, LF Boyd, P Schuck. Adaptation of a surface plasmon resonance biosensor with microfluidics for use with small sample volumes and long contact times. Anal Chem. 2001 Jul 1;73(13):2828-2835. [PubMed abs]

U.S. Patent Application No. 10/415,909 filed 05 May 2003, claiming priority to 06 Nov 2000 (HHS Reference No. E-143-2000/0-US-03)

European Patent Application No. 01990651.0 filed 11 Jun 2001 (HHS Reference No. E-143-2000/0-EP-04)

Inventor:  Peter Schuck (ORS)

Licensees sought:  Available for non-exclusive or exclusive licensing.

Collaborative Research Opportunity:  The NIH Office of Research Services, Division of Bioengineering and Physical Science, Protein Biophysics Resource, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize this Sample Delivery System technology.  Please contact Dr. Peter Schuck at 301/435-1950 or pschuck@helix.nih.gov for more information.