Detection of vapor phase compounds by changes in physical properties of a liquid crystal

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of detection of components in gas phase, and in particular to detection of nitric oxide exhaled as a component of breath, using a liquid crystal assay format and a device utilizing liquid crystals as part of a reporting system.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A device comprising:
 a substrate having a surface, said surface having thereon at least one detection region comprising a liquid crystal composition that interacts with an analyte in a gaseous phase; and   a housing having an opening therein, said substrate configured in said housing so that said detection region is exposed to the outside of said housing through said opening.   
     
     
         28 . A device comprising:
 a substrate having a surface, said surface having thereon at least one detection region comprising a feature selected from the group consisting of a grid, a channel, a plurality of channels, a plurality of pillars, or an array of assay areas or combination thereof;   a liquid crystal composition that interacts with an analyte phase; and   a housing having an opening therein, said substrate configured in said housing so that said detection region is exposed to the outside of said housing through said opening.   
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein said features are 1 micron to 200 microns wide, 1 micron to 50 microns high and spaced 1 micron to 200 microns apart. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein said pillars comprise a shape selected from the group consisting of circular, triangular, square, hexagonal, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein said liquid crystal comprises a moiety reactive with an analyte in the gaseous phase. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 28 , wherein said analyte is in the gaseous phase. 
     
     
         33 . A method, comprising using the device of  claim 28  to detect an analyte.