Development of a Micro fluidic Nanoscale Protein Sensor Device for Improving Vascular Surgical Outcomes

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe normal physiologic response of vascular surgery is one of acute and intense inflammation and thrombosis. Research to date on improving outcomes after surgery has focused on drugs known to be active with the adrenergic system more specifically statins. Till date there has been no correlation between inflammation post surgery and the effect of perioperative anti-inflammatory drugs on improving surgical outcomes. The goal of this research is to characterize the role perioperative inflammation and thrombosis plays in determining outcomes after surgery. The goal of this particular application is to identify two specific pro-inflammatory protein markers namely C-reactive protein (CRP) and Myloperoxidase (MPO) associated with thrombosis from a wide range of serum samples. This is achieved by integrating the principles of fabrication associated with micro and nanotechnology to develop a sensor device comprising of nano ordered porous alumina membrane embedded in an elastomer (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS) micro fluidic base. The nano porous membrane is selectively functionalized by a two level masking technique to the binding of CRP and MPO in selected areas. The binding event results in an electrochemical reaction that in turn produces a change in the surface charge. This in turn produces a measurable change to the electrical voltage. This is measured in an in-situ, non-invasive manner from selectively metalized areas of the nano membrane. Energy density analysis yielded unique electrical identifiers for each of the protein markers. Detection sensitivity of the order of 10 ppm was observed.