Aptamer Biosensor Cartridge Using Screen-Printed PCB Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biosensors are expensive, require specialized training, and are not suitable for mass production due to limitations in electrode manufacturing and calibration, making them unsuitable for commercial and consumer applications.
Innovation Solution
An integrated test cartridge using aptamers and PCB manufacturing technology, eliminating the need for microfluidics and calibration steps, with aptamer electrodes printed on a test strip that can be used for direct fluid connection and electrochemical measurement, reducing production costs and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If disk electrodes or sputtering electrodes are used, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable screen-printed electrodes instead of expensive reusable disk or sputtering electrodes. These disposable electrodes are pre-manufactured with acceptable quality for point-of-care testing, eliminating the need for expensive manufacturing equipment and complex vacuum processes while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for clinical applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical manufacturing processes (sputtering, vacuum deposition) with simpler screen-printing technology. This substitution uses standard printing equipment rather than expensive semiconductor-grade equipment, dramatically reducing manufacturing costs and device complexity while producing electrodes suitable for biosensing applications.
2Ease of manufacture
If screen-printed electrodes are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but electrode conductivity and quality deteriorate due to powder material mixed with adhesive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the composition and properties of screen-printed electrode materials by adjusting particle size distribution, adhesive content, and firing conditions. These parameter changes improve electrode conductivity and structural integrity while maintaining the cost advantages of screen-printing technology, resolving the trade-off between manufacturing cost and electrode quality.
3Measurement precision
If microfluidics are integrated into the test cartridge, then fluid control and assay accuracy are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the microfluidics system from the test cartridge design. Instead of integrating complex fluid control mechanisms, the invention uses passive capillary action and gravity-driven fluid flow, significantly simplifying the device structure while maintaining sufficient assay accuracy for point-of-care applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The test cartridge is designed to perform fluid transport and mixing functions automatically without active control systems. Capillary forces and gravity enable self-driven fluid flow through the assay chambers, eliminating the need for pumps, valves, and complex microfluidics control mechanisms while maintaining reliable assay performance.
4Measurement precision
If calibration steps are required for biosensor use, then measurement accuracy is improved, but ease of operation and user simplicity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs calibration and quality control measurements during the electrode manufacturing process rather than requiring end-users to perform calibration. This preliminary action ensures measurement accuracy is established before the product reaches the consumer, eliminating complex calibration steps from the user workflow while maintaining high measurement precision.
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 enables accurate, mass-producible, and cost-effective biosensor devices that are simple to use, eliminating the need for microfluidics and calibration, while maintaining high sensitivity and specificity for analyte detection.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochemical biosensors are those that transduct the detection of analyte into current or voltage
Implementation Method 2
Aptamers are oligonucleotides or peptide molecules that bind to a specific target molecule. Like antibodies, they bind with high affinity to target molecules based on three-dimensional conformations that interact with the complementary target molecules. Upon binding, some aptamers undergo conformational change.
Data Source
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AI summary
A multiplex aptamer sensor platform for determining the concentration of a target analyte in sample. Aptamers are modified with redox-active molecule and selected to exhibit conformational change in the presence of target analyte, so that faradic discharge can be sampled at the electrode surface. Faradic discharge is converted to digital signal for calculation of the analyte concentration. The platform is attached to a test cartridge utilizing a vertical connection to a reader device. Sensor electrodes are manufactured using PCB techniques yet the platform is both accurate and commercially usable. No mixing, microfluidics or calibration are required.