Microscope-FTIR Spectrometry Based Sensor for Neurotransmitters Detection.

In this work, we present a new sensing approach for aqueous samples based on the microscope-FTIR spectrometer and applied for neurotransmitters. Our contribution in this work consists of a new sample handling system for the microscope-FTIR spectrometer based on a total reflective mirror, a heated hydrophobic layer for solvent removal/evaporation and sample confinement and a microfluidic system that handles sample injection unlike standard sample handling system which was based only on a total reflective mirror. In addition, another part of our contribution consists of proposing a new algorithm to extract molecular composition of the solution with high estimation ratios and based on the analysis of detected peaks on IR spectra. The data acquired from the microscope-FTIR spectrometer was analyzed by a newly developed algorithm to identify each neurotransmitter in homogeneous and non-homogeneous solutions with high selectivity. We used six neurotransmitter molecules (Dopamine hydrochloride, L-Ascorbic acid, Acetylcholine chloride, y-Aminobutyric, Glycine and L-Glutamic acid). The results obtained based on the algorithm developed showed that, using the new system, the six neurotransmitters can be identified in homogeneous and mixture solutions with an estimation ratio range of 88.8%-100% for Dopamine hydrochloride, 80%-100% for L-Ascorbic acid, 75%-100% for Acetylcholine chloride, 75%-100% for L-Glutamic, 77.7%-100% for y-Aminobutyric and 75%-100% for Glycine.

Pseudo-Continuous Flow FTIR System for Glucose, Fructose and Sucrose Identification in Mid-IR Range.

In this paper, we present a new FTIR-based microfluidic system for Glucose, Fructose and Sucrose detection. The proposed microfluidic system is based on a pseudo-continuous flow coupled to a microscope-FTIR instrument. The detection and characterization of sugar samples were performed by recording their absorption spectrum in the wavelength range 700⁻1000 cm - 1 of the Mid-IR region. The proposed pseudo-continuous flow system is designed to improve the uniformity of the sample distribution in the analyzed area versus conventional systems. The obtained results for different sugars concentrations, show a very low measurement error of 4.35% in the absorption peak intensity, which is ten times lower than the error obtained using the conventional measurements.

Miniaturized FDDA and CMOS Based Potentiostat for Bio-Applications.

A novel fully differential difference CMOS potentiostat suitable for neurotransmitter sensing is presented. The described architecture relies on a fully differential difference amplifier (FDDA) circuit to detect a wide range of reduction-oxidation currents, while exhibiting low-power consumption and low-noise operation. This is made possible thanks to the fully differential feature of the FDDA, which allows to increase the source voltage swing without the need for additional dedicated circuitry. The FDDA also reduces the number of amplifiers and passive elements in the potentiostat design, which lowers the overall power consumption and noise. The proposed potentiostat was fabricated in 0.18 µm CMOS, with 1.8 V supply voltage. The device achieved 5 µA sensitivity and 0.99 linearity. The input-referred noise was 6.9 µV rms and the flicker noise was negligible. The total power consumption was under 55 µW. The complete system was assembled on a 20 mm × 20 mm platform that includes the potentiostat chip, the electrode terminals and an instrumentation amplifier for redox current buffering, once converted to a voltage by a series resistor. the chip dimensions were 1 mm × 0.5 mm and the other PCB components were off-chip resistors, capacitors and amplifiers for data acquisition. The system was successfully tested with ferricyanide, a stable electroactive compound, and validated with dopamine, a popular neurotransmitter.

Towards a Multifunctional Electrochemical Sensing and Niosome Generation Lab-on-Chip Platform Based on a Plug-and-Play Concept.

In this paper, we present a new modular lab on a chip design for multimodal neurotransmitter (NT) sensing and niosome generation based on a plug-and-play concept. This architecture is a first step toward an automated platform for an automated modulation of neurotransmitter concentration to understand and/or treat neurodegenerative diseases. A modular approach has been adopted in order to handle measurement or drug delivery or both measurement and drug delivery simultaneously. The system is composed of three fully independent modules: three-channel peristaltic micropumping system, a three-channel potentiostat and a multi-unit microfluidic system composed of pseudo-Y and cross-shape channels containing a miniature electrode array. The system was wirelessly controlled by a computer interface. The system is compact, with all the microfluidic and sensing components packaged in a 5 cm × 4 cm × 4 cm box. Applied to serotonin, a linear calibration curve down to 0.125 mM, with a limit of detection of 31 µ M was collected at unfunctionalized electrodes. Added sensitivity and selectivity was achieved by incorporating functionalized electrodes for dopamine sensing. Electrode functionalization was achieved with gold nanoparticles and using DNA and o-phenylene diamine polymer. The as-configured platform is demonstrated as a central component toward an "intelligent" drug delivery system based on a feedback loop to monitor drug delivery.

A wide range and high sensitivity four-channel compact electrochemical biosensor for neurotransmitter detection on a microfluidic platform.

We present a four-channel, high-sensitivity and linearity electrochemical biosensor for neurotransmitter (NT) detection and measurement. Using a multi-channel microfluidic platform makes this biosensor capable of detecting NT-related currents going from nanoamperes to milliamperes, with a sensitivity of the order of picoamperes. Moreover, by using a fully differential potentiostat architecture, the biosensor offers a high common-mode rejection ratio (90 dB), making it appropriate for low-noise and high-sensitive applications. The system was implemented on a 15 mm × 15 mm PCB with direct interface to the microfluidic chambers. It was calibrated with a 5 mM ferrocyanide solution and successfully tested with dopamine at three concentrations. The system shows a minimum sensistivity of 100 pA and consumes 60 mW.

Towards a multi-wavelength spectroscopy platform for blood characterization and analysis.

Passing multiple light wavelengths through a blood sample makes it possible to investigate the presence and composition of cells, metabolytes and analytes such as blood cells, glucose, lactate and oxygen, providing valuable indications for diagnostic and health monitoring. In this paper, we present a test prototype of a multi-wavelength blood spectroscopy platform integrated with a microfluidic substrate to collect and convey blood samples through a series of micro-LEDs and a photo-detector. This spectroscopy platform is a proof of concept for a system that can collect absorbance and transmittance parameters of blood samples at several wavelengths within the visible and NIR spectrum, and transmit them wirelessly to a base station for real-time calculation and analysis. In-vitro measurements are performed with the proposed prototype with 5 channels covering wavelength from 400 nm to 940 nm A full characterization results of the proposed device are presented.