Carbon Nanotubes Used to Form Nanoelectronic Measurement System for Physiologic Gases

Nanomix, Inc. (Emeryville, CA) garnered U.S. Patent 7,714,398 for a nanoelectronic measurement system for physiologic gases and an improved nanosensor for carbon dioxide

A system for measuring an analyte of interest, particularly carbon dioxide, dissolved in a fluid media of a patient includes a nanoelectronic sensor and a measurement instrument in communication with the sensor. The system is configured to receive at least a signal from the sensor indicative of a response of the sensor to at least the analyte of interest. 

The system was created by Nadav Ben-Barak, Daniel M Chang, Jean-Christophe P. Gabriel, Vikram Joshi, Joseph Niemann, Alexander Star and Christian Valcke. 

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an alternative nanostructure sensor.

 The nanostructured element includes one or more carbon nanotubes, such as single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), and may include an interconnecting network of carbon nanotubes. In one alternative, the first and second conductors are configured as a space-apart pair of source-drain electrodes in electrical communication with the nanostructured element; the sensor comprises a gate electrode arranged to capacitively influence the nanostructured element; and the signal includes a transistor characteristic indicative of a response of the sensor to at least the analyte of interest.

The insertion tube is configured to place the sensor adjacent at least a surface within the mouth, such as a sublingual surface. In alternative embodiments, the insertion tube is configured to place the sensor adjacent at least a surface within the trachea or within the digestive tract. Optionally, the system may include a hydrophobic filter element mounted adjacent the insertion tube and arranged to lie between the nanoelectronic sensor and the at least one mucosal surface. 

The described sensors may be conveniently mass-fabricated on tiny substrates, such as a subdivided die of a silicon wafer, lending these sensors to inexpensive manufacture in very small operational packages. The use of silicon wafer technology permits processes and equipment common to the electronics industry to be used. A die comprising the circuitry of one or more sensors may be separated from the wafer.

The die may then be packaged, mounted and/or encapsulated by common methods known in the electronics industry so that electrical power and signal conductors of the die communicate with extended electrical leads, either as a discrete sensor component, or as a sub-component of a larger-scale circuit board or electronic device. Alternatively, the sensor circuitry may be formed on the wafer as a functional region of an integrated circuit, and packaged in a manner known for ICs. 

 FIG. 12 illustrates one example of a multi-channel sensor system for use in a treatment area, such as a bedside, an ICU, and the like.  The device may be configured as a swallowable autonomous gastrointestinal video endoscope capsule having a sensor. 

Nanōmix is a leading nanoelectronic detection company developing detection devices based on its proprietary Sensation™ technology — the first universal detection platform offering unprecedented sensitivity that provides central lab quality performance at the site of patient care. Allowing detection of multiple analytes on a single platform, Sensation exploits the superior electrical conductance of carbon nanotubes to create a small device with ultrasensitivity, high specificity and accuracy — the ideal platform for point-of-care patient testing and continuous monitoring where immediate access to information is critical.