Adapter-Aptamer Glucose Sensing with a Selective Barrier Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing continuous glucose monitoring technologies using enzymatic sensors face challenges with microneedles losing contact with the dermis and motion artifacts, while affinity-based sensors like aptamers struggle to achieve high-affinity and selectivity for metabolites like glucose due to scarce functionalities, and adapter molecules pose risks when free in solution.
Innovation Solution
Development of devices and methods using adapter molecules and aptamers that bind to analytes, with a membrane allowing analyte passage but blocking adapter molecules, enabling continuous sensing through permeable yet impermeable designs for in-dwelling or external use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If enzymatic sensors are used for continuous glucose monitoring, then detection capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to motion artifacts and loss of contact with dermis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter molecule as an intermediary that binds to the analyte (glucose) and presents it to the aptamer in a way that maintains high-affinity binding. The adapter acts as a mediator between the analyte and the sensing element, enabling reliable detection without requiring direct contact between the microneedle and dermis, thus resolving the contradiction between detection capability and measurement reliability.
2Measurement precision
If adapter molecules are used to enhance aptamer binding to metabolites, then measurement precision is improved, but harmful factors worsen due to potential toxicity of free adapter molecules in solution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a semi-permeable membrane as a protective barrier that confines adapter molecules within the sensor device. The membrane allows small analyte molecules to pass through while retaining larger adapter molecules, thus maintaining measurement precision through high-affinity binding while eliminating toxicity risks by preventing free adapter molecules from contacting the body.
3Ease of operation
If microneedles are used for sensor insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to difficulty in maintaining continuous contact with dermis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static microneedle insertion model to a dynamic system where the sensor can maintain functional contact through the adapter-aptamer binding mechanism. The adapter molecules in solution can continuously bind analytes that diffuse through the membrane, allowing the system to adapt to changes in dermal contact while maintaining reliable measurement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides reliable, continuous monitoring of analytes like glucose by maintaining sensor contact and minimizing false readings, while ensuring adapter molecules remain contained, thus enhancing the effectiveness and safety of wearable glucose monitoring systems.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane that is permeable to the analyte but impermeable to the adapter molecule
Implementation Method 2
The membrane is permeable to the analyte but impermeable to the adapter molecule
Implementation Method 3
adapter molecules in the sensor fluid that are capable of binding to an analyte
Implementation Method 4
aptamers in the sensor fluid that are capable of binding to the analyte when analyte is bound to one or more adapter molecules
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A device and method for detecting the presence of, or measuring the concentration of amount of, at least one analyte in a sample fluid. The device includes a sensor fluid (18), a plurality of adapter molecules (980) in the sensor fluid that are capable of binding to an analyte, a plurality of aptamers (970) in the sensor fluid that are capable of binding to the analyte when analyte is bound to one or more adapter molecules of the plurality of adapter molecules, at least one membrane (936) in communication with the sensor fluid, and at least one detection component that is capable of detecting the binding of analyte by one or more of the plurality of aptamers. The membrane is permeable to the analyte but impermeable to the adapter molecule.