Abstract: A pixel-by-pixel, digitally-addressable, pixelated, precursor, fluid-assay, active-matrix micro-structure including plural pixels formed preferably on a glass or plastic substrate, wherein each pixel, formed utilizing low-temperature TFT and Si technology, includes (a) at least one non-functionalized, digitally-addressable assay sensor, and (b), disposed operatively adjacent this sensor, digitally-addressable and energizable electromagnetic field-creating structure which is selectively energizable to create, in the vicinity of the at least one assay sensor, an ambient electromagnetic field environment which is structured to assist in functionalizing, as a possession on said at least one assay sensor, at least one digitally-addressable assay site which will display an affinity for a selected fluid-assay material.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 10, 2007
Date of Patent:
August 7, 2012
Assignee:
Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
Inventors:
John W. Hartzell, Pooran Chandra Joshi, Paul J. Schuele
Abstract: A digitally-addressable, pixelated, DNA fluid-assay, active-matrix micro-structure formed, utilizing low-temperature TFT and Si technology, on a substrate preferably made of glass or plastic, and including at least one pixel which is defined by (a) an addressable pixel site, (b) a sensor home structure disposed within that site for receiving and hosting a functionalized assay site possessing a DNA oligonucleotide probe, and (c) an addressable, pixel-site-specific, energy-field-producing functionalizer (preferably optical) operable to functionalize such a probe on the assay site. Each pixel may also include a pixel-integrated optical detector. Further disclosed are related methodology facets involving (1) the making of such a micro-structure (a) in a precursor form (without a functionalized probe), and thereafter (b) in a finalized/functionalized form (with such a probe), and (2) the ultimate use of a completed micro-structure in the performance of a DNA assay.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 10, 2007
Date of Patent:
August 7, 2012
Assignee:
Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
Inventors:
John W. Hartzell, Pooran Chandra Joshi, Paul J. Schuele
Abstract: A method of producing a precursor, active-matrix, fluid-assay micro-structure including the steps of (1) utilizing low-temperature TFT and Si technology, establishing preferably on a glass or plastic substrate a matrix array of non-functionalized pixels, and (2) preparing at least one of these pixels for individual, digitally-addressed (a) functionalization, and (b) reading out, ultimately, of completed assay results.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 10, 2007
Date of Patent:
August 7, 2012
Assignee:
Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
Inventors:
John W. Hartzell, Pooran Chandra Joshi, Paul J. Schuele
Abstract: A pixel-by-pixel digitally-addressable, pixelated, fluid-assay, active-matrix micro-structure including plural pixels formed preferably on a glass or plastic substrate, wherein each pixel, formed utilizing low-temperature TFT and Si technology, includes (a) at least one functionalized, digitally-addressable assay sensor including at least one functionalized, digitally-addressable assay site which has been affinity-functionalized to respond to a selected, specific fluid-assay material, and (b) disposed operatively adjacent that sensor and its associated assay site, digitally-addressable and energizable electromagnetic field-creating structure which is selectively energizable to create, in the vicinity of the sensor and its associated assay site, a selected, ambient, electromagnetic field environment which is structured to assist, selectively and optionally only, in the reading-out of an assay-result response from the assay sensor and assay site.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 10, 2007
Date of Patent:
July 31, 2012
Assignee:
Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
Inventors:
John W. Hartzell, Pooran Chandra Joshi, Paul J. Schuele
Abstract: A method of performing a fluid-material assay employing a device including at least one active pixel having a sensor with an assay site functionalized for selected fluid-assay material. The method includes exposing the pixel's sensor assay site to such material, and in conjunction with such exposing, and employing the active nature of the pixel, remotely requesting from the pixel's sensor assay site an assay-result output report. The method further includes, in relation to the employing step, creating, relative to the sensor's assay site in the at least one pixel, a predetermined, pixel-specific electromagnetic field environment.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 31, 2007
Date of Patent:
July 31, 2012
Assignee:
Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
Inventors:
John W. Hartzell, Pooran Chandra Joshi, Paul J. Schuele, Andrei Gindilis
Abstract: A method for producing an active-matrix, fluid-assay micro-structure including, utilizing low-temperature TFT and Si technology, establishing preferably on a glass or plastic substrate a matrix array of digitally-addressable, assay-material-specific-functionalizable pixels, and employing pixel-specific digital addressing for selected, array-established pixels, individually functionalizing these pixels.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 10, 2007
Date of Patent:
July 31, 2012
Assignee:
Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
Inventors:
John W. Hartzell, Pooran Chandra Joshi, Paul J. Schuele