The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 20, 2005
Filed:
Mar. 08, 2005
Sanjay V. Patel, San Diego, CA (US);
Bernd Fruhberger, Encinitas, CA (US);
Robert J. Warmack, Knoxville, TN (US);
Todd E. Mlsna, Carlsbad, CA (US);
David R. Baselt, San Diego, CA (US);
Erno Klaassen, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Sanjay V. Patel, San Diego, CA (US);
Bernd Fruhberger, Encinitas, CA (US);
Robert J. Warmack, Knoxville, TN (US);
Todd E. Mlsna, Carlsbad, CA (US);
David R. Baselt, San Diego, CA (US);
Erno Klaassen, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Xsilogy, Inc, San Diego, CA (US);
Abstract
A sensor for determining the presence of an analyte is disclosed comprising a reactive layer disposed between a base plate and a movable plate. The reactive layer is configured to interact with an analyte effecting a change in capacitance between the base plate and movable plate. When the analyte has a polarity or overall Hildebrand solubility parameter that is similar to the reactive layer, the change in capacitance is caused by a swelling of the reactive layer as analyte is absorbed into the reactive layer. This results in a decrease in capacitance. When the analyte has a solubility parameter not near the reactive layer, the absorbed analyte causes the reactive layer's total polarity to increase, an effect that dominates swelling. This causes an increase in capacitance. A capacitive sensing circuit is included for measuring the change in capacitance which is indicative of the analyte exposed to the sensor.