Shekhar Bhansali

Abstract

Conventional ion traps have a symmetric design and are operated to form an equipotential well at the center of the trap geometry. This structure supports a balanced electrostatic field environment for ion trapping and scanning to produce mass spectra. However, given the symmetric equipotential well and the oscillations of the ions within, ions are ejected from both sides of the trap as the mass ejection forces or RF voltage is increased. Most Quadruple Ion Trap and Cylindrical Ion Trap instruments employ internal or external ionization at one side of the trap and have one ion detector on the opposing side of the trap. The conventional instrumentation results in the loss of half or more of the mass sorted ions at the detector, and lost peaks due to the ions being ejected from both sides of the trap from the equipotential well and the use of one detector. This ion signal loss is remedied by increasing the instrument duty cycle, resulting in data summation for mass spectrum generation. While producing useable mass spectra, this method in theory requires twice the amount of analysis; analyte and instrument power consumption. This is a significant problem for miniaturized portable instruments with restricted sampling and power resourcesFIU technology makes use of a quasi-equipotential well produced by reducing the trapping forces on the ring electrode nearest the detector. This approach results in nearly all of the mass sorted ions being directed to the detector, greatly reducing ion signal loss as well as instrument analyte and power consumption. Mass spectra data is also more consistent resulting in an increased analysis confidence.

Benefit

Increased ion detection efficiency Facilitates more complete sample analysis, improved signal statistics, reduced risk of lost signal data, faster and low power consuming analysis Enables miniature and power limited portable or remote deployable ion traps

Market Application

All commercial Ion traps

Abstract

FIU inventors have presented a technique, known as molecular imprinting, for creating specific recognition sites in conducting polymeric matrices that mimics the recognition of biological receptors. Molecularly imprinted polymers are synthetic polymers with highly specific recognition sites, formed during polymerization, in the presence of target analytes and in the subsequent removal of analytes. The target analytes act as templates while the polymer arranges itself around it so that, once removed, the polymer leaves with imprinted molecular cavities within the polymer matrix that enable it to selectively rebind the analytes. We are looking for a business partner to further develop and commercialize Nanostructured Molecularly Imprinted Sensors as a viable alternative to commercially available techniques and to exploit its business and scientific potential as a label-free electrochemical biosensor that detects analytes without the use of any redox mediators and with enhanced sensitivity of cortisol detection.

Benefit

Detects analytes without any need for redox mediatorsEnhanced sensitivity of cortisol detectionLabel-free

Market Application

The nanostructured label-free electrochemical biosensor can be used for the direct detection of analytes without any external labels/mediators. Also, the biosensor has increased sensitivity of analyte detection by metal nanoparticles.

Abstract

Point-of-care (POC) systems that can quantify critical physiological parameters can enable better diagnostics and better treatment strategies. Currently available techniques do not easily lend themselves to miniaturized automated systems for POC applications. Many of the current sensing systems cannot be applied at POC due to constraints of portability, cost, analysis time, and requirement of highly skilled personnel to operate the systems. Florida International University researchers developed a technology that uses disposable biosensors to detect an analyte on an electrochemical biosensing platform for the detection of biomolecules at point-of-care (POC). The technology is based on binding agent-analyte interaction that provides the specific and selective detection of a target analyte. The device is portable and measures the concentration of an analyte in fluids. The device has been tested for the detection of cortisol in biological fluids. The binding agent of the electrochemical sensor can be a binding protein, an antibody, or an aptamer, and the analyte can be a biomolecule, for example a hormone, a protein, a polysaccharide, a lipid, a polynucleotide, or a metabolite, and the fluid can be a biofluid. The technology can also be used for detecting the presence of a disease or assessing the likelihood of development of the disease associated with abnormal levels of a biomolecule of interest.

Benefit

Highly sensitive.Portable, miniaturized, and automated system to use at point-of-care.Low cost, rapid analysis time, and requires small sample volume.

Market Application

Portable device for Point-of-Care applications for measuring concentration of an analyte in biological fluids. Facilitates the detection of diseases affected by cortisol or assessing the likelihood of developing Addison’s disease, Cushing’s syndrome, adrenal insufficiencies, psychological stress, or posttraumatic stress disorder. The biosensor can be adapted for the detection and monitoring of several disease conditions.

Abstract

FIU inventors have proposed an improvement to the laborious and time-consuming process of the Comet assay. By incorporating automation the slide-filled racks no longer need to be moved from one staining dish to another; the racks remain in one staining container to which buffers and reagents are added and then drained after the required step time. This process includes a tank designed to accommodate two slide racks to undergo electrophoresis. Through this approach, the electrophoresis process is automated and the user is able to leave the apparatus during the Comet assay.We are looking for a business partner to further develop and commercialize Automated Method for the Processing of Slides as a viable alternative to commercially available techniques and to exploit its business and scientific potential as an efficient yet effective method for processing electrophoresis and high throughput Comet assay.

Benefit

Pump switching and chiller automates filing, emptying, chilling, and recirculation of all fluids provided as a fully automated processChilling and recirculation of the electrophoresis buffer through the electrophoresis tank would precisely maintain a lowered temperature (essential for electrophoresis)Racks no longer need to be removable, they can be integrated into the tankOvernight, chilled steps will not need to be performed in a fridgeLess time required for the operator to directly monitor every step of the processReduced waste and variability among slides

Market Application

The comet assay is increasingly used for genotoxicology testing by pharmaceutical companies which require high throughput speed and reliability in assays processing