Nanoscale motion detector

Abstract

Motion detector comprising a flexible support ( 1,5 ) adapted to hold at least one object ( 6 - 9 ), a sensor ( 4 ) for measuring the displacement of said support ( 1 ) and processing means for differentiating the fluctuations of said support ( 1 ) from those induced by said object ( 6 - 9 ).

1 . Motion detector comprising a flexible support adapted to hold at least one object, a sensor for measuring the displacement of said support and processing means for differentiating the fluctuations of said support from those induced by said object. 
     
     
         2 . Motion detector according to  claim 1  wherein said processing means are adapted to calculate the variance of said displacement. 
     
     
         3 . Motion detector according to  claim 1 , wherein said support comprises a cantilever. 
     
     
         4 . Motion detector according to  claim 3  wherein said sensor is fixed to or forming a part of said cantilever. 
     
     
         5 . Motion detector according to  claim 4  wherein sensor comprises a piezoelectric material. 
     
     
         6 . Motion detector according to  claim 1  wherein said sensor is an optical sensor. 
     
     
         7 . Method according to  claim 6  wherein said optical sensor is Photodetector. 
     
     
         8 . Motion detector according to  claim 1  furthermore comprising an analysis chamber. 
     
     
         9 . Motion detector according to  claim 8  wherein said analyzing chamber comprises inlet and outlet means adapted in a way as to provide different fluidic environments to the object(s) within said chamber. 
     
     
         10 . Use of a motion detector as defined in  claim 1  for analysing at least one object which is located on said support. 
     
     
         11 . Use according to  claim 10  wherein said object is a biological object. 
     
     
         12 . Use according to  claim 11  wherein said living object is a bacteria. 
     
     
         13 . Use according to  claim 10  for quantitative estimation of MIC and/or MBC. 
     
     
         14 . Method for analysing at least one object held on a flexible support; said method comprising a step for measuring the displacement of said support and a processing step for differentiating the fluctuations of said support from those induced by the said object. 
     
     
         15 . Method according to  claim 14  for detecting the movement or dynamics of at least one object. 
     
     
         16 . Method according to  claim 14  wherein said processing step comprises calculating the variance of said displacement. 
     
     
         17 . Method according to  claim 14  comprising a preliminary treatment applied to the objects for facilitating the adherence of said objects to said support.