Apparatus for two-step surface-enhanced raman spectroscopy

Abstract

A kit of components is used in the detection, identification, analysis, and quantitation, by SERS, of a designated target analyte in a sample, comprising: packaging means normally containing a SER-active device component providing a support structure including a SER-active material, a collection component, a container component containing a liquid reagent comprised of a SER-active material, and a component for introducing the liquid reagent into the SER-active device. At least one of the SER-active materials is functionalized with an agent having the specific capability of binding the designated target analyte, and is accessible for the deposit thereon of liquid analyte samples. The SER-active device is constructed for receiving the liquid reagent and for enabling irradiation and collection of Raman-scattered radiation, by and from a Raman spectrometer, cooperatively generated by SER-active metals of the SER-active materials.

1 .- 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . Apparatus, in the form of a kit of components, for use in the detection, identification, analysis, and quantitation of at least one designated target analyte in an analyte sample, by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, comprising:
 packaging means for the containment of a multiplicity of components;   a SER-active device component constructed for receiving the at least one designated target analyte, and for operative assembly with a Raman spectrometer to enable detection, identification, analysis, and quantitation, by SERS, of the at least one designated target analyte, said SER-active device providing a support structure comprised of a first, SER-active metal-containing SER-active material;   at least one collection component constructed for analyte sample collection and discharge;   at least one container component containing a liquid reagent comprised of a second SER-active metal-containing SER-active material; and   a component for introducing said liquid reagent into said SER-active device; at least one of said first and second SER-active materials being functionalized with at least one binding agent that has the specific capability of binding thereto the at least one designated target analyte, and being accessible for the deposit thereupon of liquid analyte samples, said SER-active device being constructed for receiving, by way of said component for introducing, said liquid reagent, and for enabling irradiation, and collection of Raman scattered radiation cooperatively generated by the SER-active metals of said first and second SER-active materials, by and from a Raman spectrometer, all of said components being normally contained by said packaging means.   
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 32  where said SER-active device component comprises a substrate supporting said first SER-active material. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 32  where said substrate is fabricated from metal, glass, paper, or plastic, and is in the form of a substantially planar sheet, plate, or membrane. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34  wherein said substantially planar sheet, plate, or membrane has a multiplicity of wells formed thereinto for receiving an analyte sample. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein said substrate is fabricated from glass or plastic and is in the form of a capillary, vial, disc, or lab-on-a-chip channel, said first SER-active material being supported on a surface provided by said substrate. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein a linker chemical substance or biochemical substance is interposed for attaching said at least one binding agent to said SER-active metal of said at least one of said first and second SER-active materials. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein said SER-active metal of each of said first and second SER-active materials is selected from the group consisting of copper, gold, silver, nickel, platinum, rhodium, iron, ruthenium, cobalt, nickel, palladium, and alloys and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein said SER-active metal of said first SER-active material is of particulate form or in the form of a surface having a morphology that is functionally equivalent to metal particles for generating a plasmon field when irradiated, and wherein said SER-active metal of said second SER-active material is of particulate form. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein said SER-active metals of said first and second SER-active materials are different from one another. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein said support structure of said SER-active device component comprises a chemically synthesized porous structure through which said liquid reagent comprised of said second SER-active material, said at least one designated target analyte, and any signature chemical substance that may be present, can readily pass. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 41  wherein said chemically synthesized porous material is effective to separate said at least one designated target analyte from other substances normally contained in an analyte sample. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein each of the at least one designated target analyte and said at least one binding agent is a chemical, biochemical, or biological substance. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 43  wherein said at least one binding agent and said at least one designated target analyte are paired with one another for effective interbonding, such pairs being selected from the group consisting of (a) antibodies and antigens, (b) peptides and biologicals, (c) drug receptors and drugs, (d) enzymes and their specific biochemical substrates, (e) carbohydrates and lectins, and (f) nucleic acid sequences and their complements. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 32  wherein said apparatus comprises a plurality of collection components, contained by said packaging means, selected from the group consisting of eyedroppers, syringes, pipettes, micropipetters, swabs, and various combinations thereof. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 32  additionally including a water-supply component, contained by said packaging means, comprised of a container containing distilled, deionized water. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 32  additionally including at least one mixing vial component contained by said packaging means. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 32  additionally including a filtering component, contained by said packaging means, for filtering an analyte sample. 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 32  additionally including at least one second reagent supply component comprised of a container containing a second reagent, said second reagent being selected from the group consisting of buffered solutions, digesting agents, and agents that are reactive to degrade biological materials so as to effect release of signature analytes. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 49  wherein said second reagent is an agent that is reactive with constituents of analyte samples to degrade biological materials and release at least one signature chemical substance, signature biochemical substance, or signature biological substance so as to provide a signature analyte constituting the at least one designated target analyte. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 50  wherein said agent is selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, adipic acid, ascorbic acid, citric acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, palmitic acid, peracetic acid, propionic acid, salicylic acid, sorbic acid, succinic acid, trihaloacetic acid, acetone, acetonitrile, benzene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, cyclohexane, dichloromethane, diethyl ether, dimethylsulfoxide, ethyl acetate, ethylene glycol, isopropyl ether, methyl ethyl ketone, n-hexane, phenolic derivatives, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, and mixtures thereof.