Disposable Amperometric Oxygen Sensor for Point-of-Care Blood Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical oxygen sensors require a relatively large volume of blood sample and are not disposable, making them unsuitable for point-of-care clinical use, especially for infants, where a small volume of blood is needed for accurate and precise oxygen measurement.
Innovation Solution
A disposable amperometric oxygen sensor with a laminated body structure, featuring a fluid sample channel with a working electrode and a reference electrode, using a reagent matrix containing a redox mediator, oxidase, and peroxidase, which allows for accurate oxygen measurement in a small sample volume of 0.5 μL or less, and is easily manufactured.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional electrochemical oxygen sensors are used, then oxygen measurement capability is achieved, but large sample volume is required
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is divided into multiple functional layers (membrane layer, enzyme layer, electrode layer) that work together to detect oxygen. This segmentation allows the sensor to maintain measurement accuracy while reducing the required sample volume to 0.5 μL or less, as each layer is optimized for its specific function within the confined space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the working electrode and reference electrode are integrated within a laminated body that contains multiple functional layers. The electrodes are positioned within the layered structure, allowing efficient use of space and enabling accurate oxygen measurement in a compact format with minimal sample volume requirement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional oxygen sensors are used, then oxygen detection is achieved, but the sensor cannot be disposed of
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is designed as a disposable device with a laminated structure that can be mass-produced at low cost. The working electrode, reference electrode, and membrane are integrated into a single-use unit that maintains measurement accuracy while enabling convenient disposal after use, eliminating the need for complex cleaning and maintenance procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is pre-assembled with all necessary components (electrodes, membrane, enzyme layers) in a laminated structure before use. This preliminary assembly simplifies the manufacturing process and enables the sensor to be used as a complete disposable unit, improving ease of manufacture while achieving disposable capability.
3Device complexity
If Clark electrode design is used, then oxygen reduction detection is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin film structures for the membrane and electrode layers, which simplifies the overall device complexity compared to traditional bulk Clark electrode design. The thin film oxygen-permeable membrane and enzyme-coated layers maintain measurement precision while reducing structural complexity and enabling easier integration into portable devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor employs composite material structures, including the laminated body combining different functional layers, and the enzyme-electrode composite system. These composite structures achieve accurate oxygen measurement through the synergistic interaction of multiple materials while maintaining relatively simple device architecture suitable for mass production.
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 sensor achieves high accuracy and precision in measuring dissolved oxygen concentrations using a small sample volume, facilitating point-of-care clinical use and reducing costs by being disposable.
Implementation Method 1
The oxygen reduction current, measured amperometrically, is proportional to the dissolved oxygen concentration.
Implementation Method 2
Clark had studied the electrochemistry of oxygen reduction at platinum metal electrodes
Implementation Method 3
Oxygen permeates through a gas permeable hydrophobic membrane from the blood sample into an internal electrolyte solution
Implementation Method 4
using a reagent matrix containing a redox mediator, oxidase, and peroxidase
Implementation Method 5
using a reagent matrix containing a redox mediator, oxidase, and peroxidase
Data Source
AI summary
An oxygen sensor has a laminated body with a fluid sample inlet end and an electrical contact end, a fluid sample inlet, a substantially flat test chamber communicating with the fluid sample inlet where the test chamber is adapted to collect a fluid sample through the sample fluid inlet, a working electrode and a reference electrode within the test chamber, and a reagent matrix disposed on the working electrode where the reagent matrix contains an oxidase, a reduced form of a redox mediator and a peroxidase.