Wearable apparatus for detecting a target substance in a liquid

Abstract

Described herein are a wearable apparatus and methods for detecting the presence of a targeted substance in a liquid. For example, the wearable apparatus can be a fingernail that detects illicit drugs in a beverage. The wearable apparatus comprises a detection layer comprising an indicator that is configured to display a signal upon the detection of an interaction with the targeted substance. In some examples, the wearable apparatus can include a lateral flow assay.

1 . A wearable apparatus for detecting the presence of a targeted substance in a liquid, the apparatus comprising:
 a detection layer comprising an indicator that is configured to display a signal upon the detection of an interaction with the targeted substance;   a top layer coupled to a top surface of the detection layer, the top layer comprising at least one opening that exposes at least a portion of the detection layer; and   a bottom layer coupled to a bottom surface of the detection layer.   
     
     
         2 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom layer further comprises at least one opening that exposes at least a portion of the detection layer. 
     
     
         3 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom layer is flexible. 
     
     
         4 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive layer coupled to a bottom surface of the bottom layer to adhere the apparatus to a surface. 
     
     
         5 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an activation means configured such that upon activation at least a portion of the detection layer is exposed to an external environment. 
     
     
         6 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: a removable layer coupled to a top surface of the detection layer configured such that upon removing of the removable layer, at least a portion of the detection layer is exposed to an external environment. 
     
     
         7 . The wearable apparatus of any  claim 1 , wherein the detection layer comprises a chromatographic membrane pad and a sample pad. 
     
     
         8 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the chromatographic membrane pad overlaps a portion of the sample pad. 
     
     
         9 . The wearable apparatus of any  claim 7 , wherein the chromatographic membrane pad further comprises a marker. 
     
     
         10 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the marker comprises at least one of carboxyfluorescein, 2,7-dichlorofluorescein, Eosin B, Eosin Y, erythrosine, fluorescein, fluorescein amidite, fluorescein isocyanate, gold nanoparticles, aptamers, antibodies, merbromin, phloxine B, Rose Bengal, derivatives and salts thereof, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detection layer further comprises a backflow reduction component that substantially reduces migration of an assay component into the liquid. 
     
     
         12 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the backflow reduction component is located between the sample pad and the at least one opening in the top layer. 
     
     
         13 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the backflow reduction component is an untreated pad. 
     
     
         14 . The wearable apparatus of any  claim 1 , wherein the detection layer further comprises a conjugate pad. 
     
     
         15 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detection layer further comprises an absorbent pad. 
     
     
         16 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the absorbent pad is substantially U-shaped. 
     
     
         17 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the absorbent pad is substantially parallel to the chromatographic membrane pad. 
     
     
         18 . The wearable apparatus of any  claim 15 , wherein a portion of the absorbent pad overlaps a portion of the chromatographic membrane pad. 
     
     
         19 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the flow of liquid within the detection layer comprises a counter-current flow path. 
     
     
         20 . The wearable apparatus of any  claim 1 , wherein the detection layer comprises a single pad comprising pre-treatment chemicals and a conjugate. 
     
     
         21 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the detection layer comprises a lateral flow assay. 
     
     
         22 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the lateral flow assay is less than 5 mm in width and less than 13 mm in length. 
     
     
         23 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the lateral flow assay is about 4 mm in width and about 12 mm in length. 
     
     
         24 . The wearable apparatus of any  claim 21 , wherein the lateral flow assay is less than 1 mm in depth. 
     
     
         25 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the lateral flow assay is arcuate-shaped. 
     
     
         26 . The wearable apparatus of any  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is less than 15 mm in width, less than 15 mm in length, and less than 15 mm in depth. 
     
     
         27 . The wearable apparatus of any  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is arcuate-shaped. 
     
     
         28 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus has sufficient structural strength to resist deformation, collapse, creasing, or puncture. 
     
     
         29 . The wearable apparatus of any  claim 1 , wherein the top layer comprises a polymeric material comprising at least one of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polycarbonate alloy, acetal polyoxymethylene, liquid crystal polymer, nylon 6-polyamide, nylon 6/6-polyamide, nylon 11-polyamide, polybutylene terepthalate polyester, polycarbonate, polyetherimid, polyethylene, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terepthalate polyester, polypropylene, polyphthalamide, polyphenylene sulfide, polystyrene crystal, high impact polystyrene, polysulfone, polyvinylchloride, polyvinylidene fluoride, styrene acrylonitrile, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, cyclic olefin copolymer, and styrene butadiene copolymer. 
     
     
         30 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus can be positioned on, within, or below at least one of a natural fingernail, an artificial fingernail, a layer of fingernail polish, a fingernail sticker, a fingernail decal. 
     
     
         31 . The wearable apparatus of any  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to be positioned on, within, or below at least one of a ring, a bracelet, a necklace, a charm, and a lanyard. 
     
     
         32 . The wearable apparatus of any  claim 1 , wherein the signal comprises any one of: an appearance of a colored dot or region, an absence of any appearance of a colored region, a completion of a pattern, a completion of a line, a completion of a logo, a completion of a symbol, a printing of a word, checkmark, emoticon, symbol, fluorescence, vibration, or sound. 
     
     
         33 . The wearable apparatus of any  claim 1 , wherein the signal is made by any one of: electrochemical detection, polymerization or de-polymerization in the presence of an analyte, endothermic reaction, exothermic reaction initiation, hydrogel formation, or electronic device-aided quantitation. 
     
     
         34 . The wearable apparatus of any  claim 1 , wherein the signal is a visual indication with a signal surface area that is less than 15% of the apparatus surface area. 
     
     
         35 . The wearable apparatus of any  claim 1 , wherein the detection layer is inverted and the signal is displayed on a clear backing. 
     
     
         36 . The wearable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the targeted substance comprises any one of: illicit drug, amine-containing compound, benzodiazepine, analyte, narcotic, alcohol, date rape drug, pesticide, steroid, steroid metabolite, bacteria, pathogen, fungus, poison, toxin, chemical warfare agent, environmental poison, explosive, explosive precursor material, small molecule mixture, metal, volatile organic, allergens, protein, and sugars. 
     
     
         37 . The wearable apparatus of any  claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises any one of: beer, cider, energy drink, flavored drink, fruit drink, liquor, alcoholic beverage, milk, milk-containing beverage, soda, sports drink, vegetable drink, water, wine, blood, non-potable water, organic solvent, potable water, serum, treated waste water, untreated waste water, urine, vomit, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         38 . The wearable apparatus of any  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a boundary, wherein the boundary can be configured to substantially prevent liquid entrainment at the boundary when the apparatus is fully submerged. 
     
     
         39 . The wearable apparatus of any  claim 1 , wherein an area of the at least one opening that exposes at least a portion of the detection layer is less than 30% of the apparatus surface area. 
     
     
         40 . A method of using an apparatus to detect the presence of a targeted substance in a liquid medium, said method comprising:
 providing the wearable apparatus of any  claim 1 ;   exposing a portion of the wearable apparatus to the liquid medium; and   observing an indication to determine presence or absence of the targeted substance.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the targeted substance comprises any one of: illicit drug, amine-containing compound, benzodiazepine, analyte, narcotic, alcohol, date rape drug, pesticide, steroid, steroid metabolite, bacteria, pathogen, fungus, poison, toxin, chemical warfare agent, environmental poison, explosive, explosive precursor material, small molecule mixture, metal, volatile organic, allergens, protein, and sugars. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the liquid comprises any one of: beer, cider, energy drink, flavored drink, fruit drink, liquor, alcoholic beverage, milk, milk-containing beverage, soda, sports drink, vegetable drink, water, wine, blood, non-potable water, organic solvent, potable water, serum, treated waste water, untreated waste water, urine, vomit, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         43 . A method of making a wearable apparatus for detecting the presence of a targeted substance comprising:
 providing a detection layer configured to detect the presence of a targeted substance;   coupling a top layer to a top surface of the detection layer; and   coupling a bottom layer to a bottom surface of the detection layer.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising coupling a removable layer to the top layer. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising applying a marker composition to one or more locations of the detection layer.