Research on highly sensitive optomagnetic sensor for rapid detection of inflammation

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP) is used to evaluate the evolution of infections and sepsis in critically ill patients. For POCT testing, biosensor-based detection techniques offer quick and convenient application. OBJECTIVE: A prototype three dimensional chip was fabricated based on a new optomagnetic method to achieve the rapid detection of CRP. METHODS: This work investigates a new technology for the quick quantitative detection of the C-reactive protein (CRP) by total internal reflection magnetic imaging (TIRMI) on a three dimensional optomagnetic sensor. Transparent glass and hydrophilic plastic film with channels were used to construct the three dimensional sensor. The magnetic nanoparticles and immunological reagent were immobilized on the reaction area of the sensor. Samples were detected using total internal reflection magnetic spot imaging (TIRMI) based on a sandwich magnetic immunoassay by one-step assay. RESULTS: The developed 3D biosensor-TIRMI method showed a wide dynamic linear range (0.2-200 ng/ml) and quick detection (5 min) with low-sample volume (10 mu L). CONCLUSIONS: We have presented a three dimensional optical protein chip that fulfills the demanding for point-of-care diagnostics in terms of ease-of-use (one step assay), miniaturization, assay time. This approach shows great promise for application in clinical investigations of biological samples.