Detection of Traumatic Brain Injury Protein Biomarkers with Resonant Microsystems

A portable, high-sensitivity resonant microsystem enables rapid, label-free diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and other conditions using minimal fluid samples.
Technology No. 2017-RHOA-67992

Microelectromechanical resonators enable sensitive, inexpensive detection of biomarkers, which are indicators of specific diseases, infections, or other medical conditions. However, the detection of s100B, a protein biomarker secreted in the presence of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), is a difficult task to manage. There are numerous methods for identifying biomarkers, but most dependable methods are cumbersome and involve multiple, time-consuming steps that severely limit on-site diagnosis. There is need for a method of detecting biomarkers easily and practically.

Researchers at Purdue University have developed a novel functionalization technique that utilizes a piezoelectrically induced resonant microsystem, a promising medical diagnostic tool with high sensitivity. A plate-style resonator is used to sense biomarkers, including s100B, by detecting changes in mass due to biomarkers. The mechanical resonator demonstrates simple, yet powerful sensor functionality. This could be a feasible solution for successfully diagnosing potential TBI victims at the time of injury.

Advantages:

-Mechanical, label-free sensing

-Provides high-sensitivity sensing in a fraction of the time

-Portable, can use on-site

-Requires only a small amount of fluid for testing

-Allows for dry sensing, which is advantageous for single-use/on-site diagnostic applications

Potential Applications:

-Medical tools for TBI diagnosis

Related Publications:

-Nikhil Bajaj, et al. Design and Implementation of a Tunable, Duffing-Like Electronic Resonator via Nonlinear Feedback. Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems, Volume 25, Issue 1, February 2016, pp. 2-10. DOI: 10.1109/JMEMS.2015.2493447

-Vijay Kumar, et al. Bifurcation-based mass sensing using piezoelectrically-actuated microcantilevers. Applied Physical Letters, Volume 98, 153510, April 2011. DOI: 10.1063/1.3574920

TRL: 3

Intellectual Property:

Provisional-Patent, 2017-07-19, United States | Utility Patent, 2018-07-19, United States | CON-Patent, 2021-02-10, United States

Keywords: Microelectromechanical resonators, biomarker detection, s100B, traumatic brain injury diagnosis, TBI, piezoelectrically induced resonant microsystem, medical diagnostic tool, plate-style resonator, label-free sensing, on-site diagnostic applications

  • expand_more mode_edit Authors (7)
    Nikhil Bajaj
    George Tsu-Chih Chiu
    Allison Kelly Murray
    Eric A Nauman
    Jeffrey Frederick Rhoads
    Mackenzie Tweardy
    Michael Wadas
  • expand_more cloud_download Supporting documents (1)
    Product brochure
    Detection of Traumatic Brain Injury Protein Biomarkers with Resonant Microsystems.pdf
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