Portable sensor array system

Abstract

A system for the rapid characterization of multi-analyte fluids, in one embodiment, includes a light source, a sensor array, and a detector. The sensor array is formed from a supporting member into which a plurality of cavities may be formed. A series of chemically sensitive particles are, in one embodiment positioned within the cavities. The particles may be configured to produce a signal when a receptor coupled to the particle interacts with the analyte. Using pattern recognition techniques, the analytes within a multi-analyte fluid may be characterized.

1 .- 99 . (canceled) 
     
     
         100 . A sensor array for detecting an analyte in a fluid comprising:
 (a) a supporting member; wherein at least one cavity is formed within the supporting member;   (b) a particle positioned within the cavity, wherein the particle is configured to produce a signal when the particle interacts with the analyte.   
     
     
         101 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , further comprising a plurality of particles positioned within the cavity. 
     
     
         102 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , wherein the particle comprises a receptor molecule coupled to a polymeric resin. 
     
     
         103 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , wherein the particle has a size ranging from about 0.05 micron to about 500 microns in diameter. 
     
     
         104 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , wherein the particle has a size ranging from about 0.05 micron to about 500 microns in diameter, and wherein the cavity is configured to substantially contain the particle. 
     
     
         105 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , wherein the supporting member comprises a plastic material. 
     
     
         106 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , wherein the supporting member comprises a silicon wafer. 
     
     
         107 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , wherein the cavity extends through the supporting member. 
     
     
         108 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , wherein the supporting member comprises a silicon wafer, and wherein the cavity is substantially pyramidal in shape and wherein the sidewalls of the cavity are substantially tapered at an angle of between about 50 to about 60 degrees. 
     
     
         109 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , wherein the supporting member comprises a silicon wafer, and further comprising a substantially transparent layer positioned on a bottom surface of the silicon wafer. 
     
     
         110 .- 111 . (canceled) 
     
     
         112 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , wherein the supporting member comprises a silicon wafer, and wherein the silicon wafer has an area of about 1 cm 2  to about 100 cm 2 . 
     
     
         113 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , further comprising a plurality of cavities formed in the silicon wafer, and wherein from about 10 to about 10 cavities are formed in the silicon wafer. 
     
     
         114 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , further comprising channels in the supporting member, wherein the channels are configured to allow the fluid to flow through the channels into and away from the cavity. 
     
     
         115 . (canceled) 
     
     
         116 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , further comprising a detector coupled to the bottom surface of the supporting member, wherein the detector is positioned below the cavity. 
     
     
         117 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , further comprising a detector coupled to the bottom surface of the supporting member, wherein the detector is positioned below the cavity, and wherein the detector is a semiconductor based photodetector or a Fabry-Perot type detector. 
     
     
         118 . (canceled) 
     
     
         119 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , further comprising a detector coupled to the bottom surface of the supporting member, wherein the detector is positioned below the cavity, and further comprising an optical fiber coupled to the detector, wherein the optical fiber is configured to transmit optical data to a microprocessor. 
     
     
         120 . (canceled) 
     
     
         121 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , further comprising a barrier layer positioned over the cavity, the barrier layer being configured to inhibit dislodgment of the particle during use. 
     
     
         122 - 124 . (canceled) 
     
     
         125 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , wherein the system comprises a plurality of particles positioned within a plurality of cavities, and wherein the plurality of particles produce a detectable pattern in the presence of the analyte. 
     
     
         126 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , further comprising channels in the supporting member, wherein the channels are configured to allow the fluid to flow through the channels into and away from the cavities, and wherein the barrier layer comprises a cover plate positioned upon an upper surface of the supporting member, and wherein the cover plate inhibits passage of the fluid into the cavities such that the fluid enters the cavities via the channels. 
     
     
         127 - 134 . (canceled) 
     
     
         135 . The sensor array of  claim 100 , wherein an inner surface of the cavity is coated with a reflective material. 
     
     
         136 - 340 . (canceled)