US Patent 7544978 - Lipid nanowire sensor

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7544978.html

This patent from Lawrence Livermore National Security teaches a new biochemical sensor nanostructure with improved signal detection efficiency. Claim 1 reads:

1. A sensor apparatus, comprising:

a nanotube or nanowire,

a lipid bilayer around said nanotube or nanowire,

a hydrophilic cushion between said nanotube or nanowire and said lipid bilayer,

wherein said hydrophilic cushion is a polymer cushion, and a sensing element connected to said lipid bilayer.