Patent ID: 9557328
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: G01N

Claim:
1. A sensor device for detecting the presence of a target molecule in a stationary sample, the sensor device comprising: a measurement sensor including a first moiety including a measurement region of a substrate including a first moiety, which is a paratope, which selectively binds to an epitope of the target molecule including a further epitope, which can bind with a paratope present on a first further moiety comprising a detectable label, wherein an amount of the first further moiety binding to the first moiety is related to an amount of the target molecule present in said sample, the measurement sensor being configured to generate a first detection signal in response to detection of the detectable label in the first further moiety bound to the first moiety; and a reference sensor including a reference region of the substrate including a second moiety which selectively binds to a second further moiety including a further detectable label, the reference sensor being configured to generate a second detection signal in response to detection of the further detectable label in the second further moiety bound to the second moiety; a signal processor configured to: during operation of the sensor device, determine whether the second detection signal falls within a signal value window corresponding to a predefined amount of the second further moiety binding to the second moiety; and in response to the second detection signal falling outside the signal value window, generating a failure signal indicative of any of completion failure of the assay, insufficient fluid added to the test, incorrect preparation of the actuation protocol of the assay, lack of magnetic particles in the cartridge, failure of dry agents to disperse, unusually high clusters of magnetic particles, extensive reagent degradation, integrated reagent deterioration, or a damaged assay cartridge; and a speaker or display which issues an audible or visible output in response to the failure signal.