Electrical biosensor for detecting a substance in a bodily fluid, and method and system for same

Abstract

An electrical biosensor for use with a reader is provided and can include an electrical component configured such that the coupling of a targeted substance to a surface of the electrical component changes an electrical characteristic of the electrical component. A protein immobilization structure can be disposed on the surface and can include an array of functionalized structures for interacting with a substance in a sample of a bodily fluid. Each functionalized structure can include a protein capable of binding to a targeted chemical substance or substance in the sample whereby an electrical reading can be obtained by a reader to determine the concentration level of the targeted substance in the sample.

1 . An electrical biosensor for use with a reader to detect a concentration level of a substance in a sample, the electrical biosensor comprising:
 an electrical component having an electrical characteristic and a surface, the electrical component being configured such that the coupling of the substance to the surface changes the electrical characteristic of the electrical component, the electrical component having a first electrode and a second electrode adapted to electrically couple to the reader for obtaining an electrical reading of the electrical characteristic; and   a structure disposed on the surface of the electrical component and including an immobilization layer, nanoparticles that adhere to the immobilization layer, and a number of functionalized structures for interacting with the substance, wherein each of the functionalized structures includes a protein capable of binding to the substance and is bonded to one of the nanoparticles adhered to the immobilization layer, whereby an electrical reading can be obtained by the reader to determine the concentration level of the substance in the sample.   
     
     
         2 . The electrical biosensor of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical component comprises at least one of a transistor, a capacitor, a resistor, and an inverter. 
     
     
         3 . The electrical biosensor of  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of metal nano-spheres and nano-rods. 
     
     
         4 . The electrical biosensor of  claim 1 , wherein the immobilization layer is a metal oxide layer. 
     
     
         5 . The electrical biosensor of  claim 4 , wherein the metal oxide layer comprises at least one of aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, yttrium oxide, tantalum oxide, and hafnium oxide. 
     
     
         6 . The electrical biosensor of  claim 1 , wherein the immobilization layer is a semiconducting layer. 
     
     
         7 . The electrical biosensor of  claim 6 , wherein the semiconducting layer comprises at least one of silicon oxide and silicon nitride. 
     
     
         8 . The electrical biosensor of  claim 1 , wherein each of the functionalized structures comprises a DNA-streptavidin structure that is bonded to a nanoparticle that is adhered to the immobilization layer. 
     
     
         9 . The electrical biosensor of  claim 8 , wherein the DNA-streptavidin structure is bonded to biotin that receives the protein capable of binding to the substance. 
     
     
         10 . The electrical biosensor of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical biosensor is configured to be carried by a disposable strip.