Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
•
Data exploration
•
Data visualization
•
Automated identification
…
User
interface
•
Feature extraction
•
Data
analysis
Statistical analysis
•
Pattern classification
…
•
Amplification
Signal
processing
•
Low/high-pass filtering
•
Calibration
…
•
Electrochemical
•
Optical
•
Mass sensitive
•
Thermometric
…
Signal
transducer
•
Enzymes
•
Antibodies /antigens
•
Nucleic acids
•
Biological
recognition
element
Tissue, whole cells
•
Biomimetic receptors
…
Measurand
(analyte, chemical concentration,
stimuli)
FIGURE 5.1
The functional blocks of a typical
biosensor.
A biosensor with successful commercial appeal must exhibit performance capabilities
and cost advantages over other currently available technologies (3). The advantages of one
type of biosensor over another are often related to detection speed, system portability, or
the required level of user skill. In recent years, however, the functionality and design of
the biosensor have greatly changed with the introduction of new “intelligent” materials
and rapid advances in computing technology and microfabrication techniques. Modern
biosensors are now integrated devices that closely connect the biomolecular recognition
element with a physical transducer to create an electrical or optical signal that is propor-
tional to the concentration of a specific chemical or biological agent being measured. These
microsystems are biosensors that include detecting elements, transducers, and signal pro-
cessing on a single integrated chip.
