Aptamer Sensor Gating for Longer Continuous Protein Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrochemical aptamer sensors face degradation due to harmful solutes in fluid samples, reducing their operational life, especially when measuring large analytes like proteins, and there is no effective method to protect the sensors without blocking the analytes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a gating component with electrochemical aptamer sensors that delays exposure to harmful solutes, allowing predictable and continuous sensing by using dissolvable materials or actuation methods to uncover sensors at controlled times, thereby protecting the sensors from degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If membranes are used to block harmful solutes from sensors, then sensor longevity is improved, but measurement of large analytes such as proteins is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the sensing system into multiple independent electrochemical aptamer sensors that can be sequentially activated. Each sensor is protected by its own gating mechanism, allowing the system to segment the exposure timeline and protect sensors while enabling measurement of large analytes when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The gating component is placed over the sensor before exposure to sample fluid, performing preliminary protection against harmful solutes. The gate is subsequently removed or opened at a predetermined time, allowing the sensor to then measure large analytes without having been exposed to degrading substances during the protection phase.
2Productivity
If sensors are continuously exposed to sample fluid for measurement, then real-time detection is achieved, but sensor degradation occurs due to harmful solutes
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls sensor exposure through removable gating components. Sensors transition from a protected state (gate closed) to an active sensing state (gate removed), allowing the system to adapt the exposure level based on the operational phase, thereby maintaining both continuous sensing capability and sensor reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device maintains continuous sensing capability by having multiple sensors with staggered gate removal timing. As one sensor becomes degraded, another sensor is activated, ensuring uninterrupted measurement continuity while individual sensors maintain their reliability through controlled exposure periods.
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 extends the operational life of electrochemical aptamer sensors, enabling continuous and reliable measurement of analytes over extended periods by protecting the sensors from harmful solutes while allowing exposure to target analytes at predetermined intervals.
Implementation Method 1
the gating component comprises a dissolvable material and the material of the gating component dissolves in the sample fluid at a predictable rate
Implementation Method 2
each of the aptamers has a redox active molecule (redox couple) attached thereto. The redox couple can transfer electrical charge to or from the electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for continuously sensing at least one target analyte in a sample fluid. The device 100 includes a plurality of electrochemical aptamer sensors 120, 122, 124, 126; and at least one gating component 132, 134, 136 associated with at least one electrochemical aptamer sensor of the plurality of electrochemical aptamer sensors. The method includes bringing a sample fluid 190 into contact with the device, and determining or measuring a change in an electrical current associated with the at least one electrochemical aptamer sensor to (1) determine the presence of an analyte in the sample fluid, or (2) measure the amount or concentration of an analyte in the sample fluid.