Patent ID: 7465427

Claim:
A system for detecting a target analyte comprising: a transparent substrate having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite said first surface and a reagent deposit supported on at least one of said first and second surfaces, said reagent deposit being reactive to exposure to the target analyte to change a capacity of the reagent deposit to absorb electromagnetic energy; a means for moving a sample of a local environment across the transparent substrate to cause a change in the capacity of the reagent deposit to absorb electromagnetic energy when the sample of the local environment includes the target analyte a piezoelectric transducer positioned adjacent to and spaced apart from the transparent substrate; a piezoelectric reader that emits a light onto said reagent deposit and measures a change in the capacity of the reagent deposit to absorb electromagnetic energy; an indicator coupled to the piezoelectric reader that indicates detection of the target analyte; and a control mechanism for controlling the means for moving the sample of the local environment across the transparent substrate.