Semiconductor-sensor based near-patient diagnostic system and methods

Abstract

A semiconductor sensor-based near-patient diagnostic system and related methods.

1 . A device comprising:
 a sensor module including a sensor chip configured to sense chemical or biological entities;   a reader module configured to send control and command signals to the sensor module to perform a task;   a communication channel configured so that the reader module and the sensor module have a two-way communication.   
     
     
         2 . A device as described in  claim 1 , where the sensor chip is a silicon sensor. 
     
     
         3 . A device as described in  claim 1 , where the sensor chip comprises one or many silicon sensors. 
     
     
         4 . A device as described in  claim 1 , where the sensor element comprises at least one nanowire. 
     
     
         5 . A device as described in  claim 1 , where the sensor element operates as a field effect transistor. 
     
     
         6 . A device as described in  claim 1 , where the sensor chip comprises at least one sensing element and at least one integrated circuit. 
     
     
         7 . A device as described in  claim 1 , where the sensing element has at least one critical dimension less than one micron in size. 
     
     
         8 . A device as described in  claim 1 , where the reader module is selected from the group consisting of a phone, a tablet, a watch, a wearable and a standalone box. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A device as described in  claim 1 , where the reader is configured to communicate with a server for further dissemination of the information. 
     
     
         11 . A device as described in  claim 1 , where the reader is configured to wirelessly communicating with a cloud server for storing, analyzing and disseminating the data. 
     
     
         12 . A device as described in  claim 1 , wherein the communication channel is configured to be wired or wireless. 
     
     
         13 . A device comprising:
 a sensor including at least one sensor element;   a sample collection unit configured to collect a sample;   where the sample is applied to the sensor for detection of the presence of at least one chemical or biological entity.   
     
     
         14 . A device as described in  claim 13 , where the sample is selected from the group consisting of blood, sweat, saliva, urine and other physiological fluids. 
     
     
         15 . A device as described in  claim 13 , where the collected sample is allowed to enter and/or leave the sensor element contained in a microfluidic chamber. 
     
     
         16 . A device as described in  claim 13 , where the collected sample is allowed to flow through a tube, containing a coagulant or an anticoagulant. 
     
     
         17 . A device as described in  claim 13 , where the collected sample is passed through a filter. 
     
     
         18 . A device as described in  claim 13 , where the filter is used to remove or separate red blood cells. 
     
     
         19 . A device as described in  claim 13 , where the filter is used to remove or separate the salt content in the sample. 
     
     
         20 . A device as described in  claim 13 , where the filter is used to remove or separate specific biological materials in the sample. 
     
     
         21 . A device comprising:
 a sensor including at least one sensing element;   an integrated circuit;   where the integrated circuit is configured to electrically drive the sensor and to process at least one electrical signal received from the sensor;   where the signal represents the presence or absence of a selective chemical or biological entity.   
     
     
         22 - 28 . (canceled)