SAW Instruments GmbH

Technology

The machines developed by SAW Instruments use a detection technology resembling a highly sensitive microbalance (compare Product information). Binding processes are measured by mass changes on the surface ("weight").

Basically, the sensor is a chip, whereby the surface is excited to oscillate acoustically. The acoustic waves are generated in its piezoelectric material and travers laterally. Response to changes in the surface-bound material and configuration is a modified oscillation with a proprietary method. This method and the high operation frequency significantly reduces distortion effects by the complexity of matrix, therefore purification steps might be ommited.

The phase of the wave is shifted on mass changes. Viscoelastic and conformational characteristics are indicated by a change in amplitude. Both effects can be differentiated and are detected independently to be used for interaction analysis.

In combination, e.g. with immunoassay-based analysis methods, this technology is uniquely qualified for identification of smallest amounts of molecules. Moreover, a broad range of different substances can be characterized selectively and with highest sensitivity (compare Applications).

For a measurement the sam^®5 guides the analyzed aqueous sample over the sensor chip. Depending on the assay the sensors surface can be covered with different ligands. This way, the analyzed substances are binding specifically to the sensor surface.
The change in surface covering conveys a measured signal, which is time-dependent. Therefore on- and off-rates can be extracted.

A single sensor chip contains five independent single sensors, providing five measuring channels. Thus, a sample can be characterized for five different analytes. This permits high throughput accompanied by a low volume of the often expensive samples.

The machines are technically realized by combination of electronics, microtechnology, software, and biochemical analysis procedures.

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