US5017494A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bio-thermo tip sensor
Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1986-04-02
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Granted: 1991-05-21
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Expires: 2006-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A bio-thermo sensor has an enzyme-modified membrane directly supported on an IC thermal detector in face-to-face contact. The enzyme-modified membrane selectively reacts with a specific chemical substance to generate therein a reaction heat which is converted into an amplified output voltage indicative of the chemical substance by the IC thermal detector. The IC thermal detector includes Darlington-connected transistors which provide high sensitivity and quick response time.
Inventors
- 👤 Isao Karube
- 👤 Hiroshi Muramatsu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:17
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12Q; C12Q1/00; C12Q1/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A bio-thermo tip sensor for detecting chemical substances contained in a solution, said sensor comprising: (a) a plurality of IC thermal sensors for providing a reference voltage and for converting temperature change to an output voltage relative to the reference voltage; (b) wires for connecting said IC thermal sensors to an external power supply and voltmeters; (c) electrically inert insulating material for encapsulating said IC thermal sensors and the wires except for the surfaces of detecting parts of said IC thermal sensors; and (d) a membrane coated on the surface of at least one of the IC thermal sensors, said membrane having an enzyme immobilized thereon for generating heat when exposed to a solution containing a specific chemical substance to apply the temperature change to the IC thermal sensor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A bio-thermo tip sensor for detecting chemical substances contained in a solution, said sensor comprising: (a) a plurality of IC thermal sensors for providing a reference voltage and for converting temperature change to an output voltage relative to the reference voltage; (b) wires for connecting said IC thermal sensors to an external power supply and voltmeters; (c) electrically inert insulating material for encapsulating said IC thermal sensors and the wires except for the surfaces of detecting parts of said IC thermal sensors; and (d) a membrane coated on the surface of at least one of the IC thermal sensors, said membrane having an enzyme immobilized thereon for generating heat when exposed to a solution containing a specific chemical substance to apply the temperature change to the IC thermal sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A bio-thermo tip sensor according to claim 1; wherein each IC thermal sensor includes a sensing circuit comprised of Darlington-connected transistors for sensing the temperature change.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A bio-thermo tip sensor according to claim 1; wherein the surface of said IC thermal sensor in contact with the solution is covered with a Si 3 N 4 layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A bio-thermo tip sensor according to claim 1; including a power supply terminal, a ground terminal and output terminals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A bio-thermo tip sensor according to claim 1; wherein said electrically inert insulating material comprises epoxy resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A bio-thermo tip sensor according to claim 1; wherein said membrane comprises an organic polymer formed by casting.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A bio-thermo tip sensor according to claim 6; wherein said organic polymer comprises cellose triacetate, 1-8 diamino-4-aminomethyloctane and glutaraldehyde.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A bio-thermo tip sensor according to claim 1; wherein said immobilized enzyme is covalently coupled to the membrane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A bio-thermo tip sensor according to claim 1; wherein the IC thermal sensors include one IC thermal sensor for providing the reference voltage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A bio-thermal tip sensor according to claim 1; wherein the IC thermal sensors include one IC thermal sensor coated with the membrane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
118 words
A bio-thermal sensor for detecting chemical substances contained in a sample solution, comprising: a membrane having an enzyme immobilized thereon and operative when exposed to a sample solution for generating heat due to enzymic reaction between the enzyme and a specific chemical substance contained in the sample solution; and an IC thermal detector configured as a discrete chip having a thermally sensitive surface thereon for contactually supporting the membrane on the thermally sensitive surface to directly receive the heat generated in the membrane, the IC thermal detector including an integrated circuit for converting the receive heat into electricity to thereby produce an amplified output voltage indicative of the existence of the specific chemical substance in the sample solution.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
118 words
A bio-thermal sensor for detecting chemical substances contained in a sample solution, comprising: a membrane having an enzyme immobilized thereon and operative when exposed to a sample solution for generating heat due to enzymic reaction between the enzyme and a specific chemical substance contained in the sample solution; and an IC thermal detector configured as a discrete chip having a thermally sensitive surface thereon for contactually supporting the membrane on the thermally sensitive surface to directly receive the heat generated in the membrane, the IC thermal detector including an integrated circuit for converting the receive heat into electricity to thereby produce an amplified output voltage indicative of the existence of the specific chemical substance in the sample solution.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
A sensor according to claim 11; including an additional IC thermal detector disposed adjacent to the first-mentioned IC thermal detector, the additional IC thermal detector having an exposed thermally sensitive surface for producing a reference voltage when exposed to the sample solution.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sensor according to claim 11; wherein the integrated circuit includes means for producing an amplified output voltage proportional to the amount of the received heat.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
A sensor according to claim 13; wherein the integrated circuit includes means for producing an amplified output voltage linearly proportional to the amount of the received heat to thereby effect quantitative detection of the specific chemical substance.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
A sensor according to claim 14; wherein the integrated circuit includes Darlington-connected transistors.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sensor according to claim 11; wherein the thermally sensitive surface comprises an outermost layer composed of Si 3 N 4 .
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
A sensor according to claim 11; wherein the membrance comprises an organic polymer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sensor according to claim 17; wherein the organic polymer comprises cellose triacetate, 1-8 diamino-4-aminomethyloctane and glutanaldeyhde.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sensor according to claim 17; wherein the enzyme comprises an enzyme covalently bonded to the organic polymer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sensor according to claim 11; wherein the enzyme comprises glucose oxidase specifically reacting on glucose.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sensor according to claim 11; including means for encapsulating the IC thermal detector other than the thermally sensitive surface thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sensor according to claim 21; wherein the means for encapsulating comprises epoxy resin.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-05-20 | 1994-11-19 | 1995-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-20 | 1998-11-19 | 1999-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-20 | 2002-11-19 | 2003-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |