Adhesive Polymer Membranes for In Vitro Diagnostic Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current in vitro diagnostic sensors face challenges with adhesion of membranes to substrates, particularly under aqueous conditions, leading to increased complexity and cost due to the need for additional adhesion layers and unknown long-term adhesion reliability.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of surface adhesion functional groups, such as 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) or dopamine, into polymer matrices for membranes to enable direct and strong adhesion to substrates, reducing the need for additional adhesion layers and improving long-term adhesion in aqueous environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional membranes are used without adhesion functional groups, then manufacturing process is simpler, but adhesion to substrate deteriorates under aqueous conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the polymer membrane by incorporating functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, amine) that enable chemical bonding to the substrate. This changes the membrane's chemical properties to achieve reliable adhesion under aqueous conditions without requiring additional adhesion layers, thus resolving the contradiction between adhesion reliability and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining the polymer membrane with adhesion-promoting functional groups that can chemically bond to both the substrate and the membrane matrix. This composite approach enables strong adhesion while maintaining a single-layer membrane structure, avoiding the need for multiple adhesion layers and simplifying manufacturing.
2Strength
If additional adhesion layers are applied to improve membrane adhesion, then adhesion strength improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the adhesion function with the membrane structure itself by incorporating adhesion-promoting functional groups into the polymer matrix. This eliminates the need for separate adhesion layers, as the membrane material itself provides both the sensing function and the adhesion function, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining adhesion strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer membrane is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the sensing membrane, the adhesion layer, and the protective barrier. The incorporation of functional groups enables the membrane to bond to the substrate while maintaining its sensing capabilities, thus eliminating the need for dedicated adhesion layers and reducing overall device complexity.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If membrane adhesion is improved through chemical modification, then long-term adhesion reliability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the polymer to include functional groups that provide long-term adhesion stability. These chemical modifications are integrated into the membrane fabrication process itself, allowing the adhesion properties to be established during membrane formation rather than requiring subsequent complex surface treatment processes, thus maintaining manufacturing ease while achieving durable adhesion.
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 modified polymer membranes demonstrate superior adhesion to substrates, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining adhesion integrity for extended periods, enabling more efficient and reliable in vitro diagnostic sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer matrix comprising a polymer that has been modified to contain at least one surface adhesion functional group, wherein the at least one surface adhesion functional group enables attachment of the membrane to a substrate of the in vitro diagnostic sensor
Data Source
AI summary
In vitro diagnostic sensors are disclosed that include membranes formed of a polymer matrix that has been modified to contain surface adhesion functional group(s) that enables attachment of the membrane to a substrate of the sensor. Also disclosed are membranes of these sensors as well as multi-sensor arrays that include multiple sensors. In addition, methods of producing and using these membranes, sensors, and arrays are disclosed.