This device allows the analysis of molecules and/or proteins (uric acid, pH, Interleukin-6, osmolarity, chloride ions, lactoferrin, various types of viruses...) in microvolumes (2µL-20µL) of solution directly at the sampling site.
| Patent title | Device for sampling and analyzing a biological fluid |
|---|---|
| Thematic area | Health |
| Ownership | ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - UNIVERSITA' DI BOLOGNA |
| Inventors | Vito Vurro, Francesco Decataldo, Beatrice Fraboni, Piera Versura, Marta Tessarolo, Luigi Fontana, Gianandrea Pasquinelli |
| Protection | Italy, with the possibility of international extension |
| Licensing status | Available for development agreements, options, licensing, and other valorization agreements |
| Keywords | microlitric biological matrices, Point-of-Care diagnostics, quantitative portable biosensor, cytokines, inflammation diagnosis |
| Filed on | 01 August 2024 |
Research on electrochemical and lateral flow biosensors focuses on the quantitative monitoring of analytes in small solution volumes. Our invention combines the advantages of both: quantitative measurement, analysis of low volumes without processing, portability, the ability to sterilize the device, and rapid, direct response that can be sent to electronic devices.
The device consists of:
- Organic Electrochemical Transistors (OECTs) printed on a textile or plastic substrate, which quantify analytes/cytokines (e.g., uric acid, pH, Interleukin-6, osmolarity, chloride ions, lactoferrin, viruses) through electrical monitoring, eliminating operator subjectivity.
- A cut absorbent gauze/paper that passively absorbs and transports small volumes of fluid (2µL-20µL) to the OECT thanks to its hygroscopic properties.
- A top encapsulating layer that limits solvent evaporation, prevents contamination, and protects the sensor.
- Reduction of the analysis load in specialized laboratories
- Speeding up the analysis of molecules, analytes, or proteins/cytokines directly in medical offices
- Reduction of costs associated with individual patients
- Increase in the amount of information extracted from biological matrices/fluids with small volumes (often neglected/not studied)
- "On-time" analysis (quick quantitative response), enabling timely clinical decisions for diagnosis and therapeutic prescription
- Ophthalmology (diagnosis of dry eye and inflammations)
- Veterinary medicine
- Dentistry
- Otorhinolaryngology (nasal microfluids for differential diagnosis between allergies and vasomotor conditions)
- Internal medicine (autoimmune diseases)
Page published on: 02 December 2024