Biochip Substrate with Photocrosslinked Spots for Uniform Immobilization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biochips face challenges such as low detection efficiency, non-uniform spot formation, high noise due to non-specific adsorption, complex manufacturing processes, and the need for specialized substrates and coating layers, which hinder their effectiveness in biochemical analysis.

Innovation Solution

A biochip with a hydrophilic reaction area and spots of biological materials containing a thickener and surfactant, where the material is immobilized using a photocrosslinking agent, allowing for controlled binding and high uniformity, without the need for a coating layer, enabling efficient detection and analysis with small sample volumes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a coating layer is used to prevent non-specific adsorption, then noise is reduced and detection accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and production time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the coating layer step from the manufacturing process while still achieving non-specific adsorption prevention through the substrate material selection and surface treatment, thereby simplifying the process while maintaining detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate itself provides non-specific adsorption prevention through its inherent properties and surface treatment, eliminating the need for an additional coating layer, thus reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple processing steps are used to immobilize biological materials, then immobilization uniformity is improved, but productivity decreases and production time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimmobilization uniformityVSAvoidproduction speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple processing steps into a single spotting and photocrosslinking operation, where biological materials are applied and simultaneously crosslinked in one step, achieving uniform immobilization while significantly improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The photocrosslinking process continuously crosslinks the biological materials as they are spotted, ensuring uniform immobilization throughout the spot formation process without requiring separate immobilization steps, thereby maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If specialized substrates and coating layers are used, then detection sensitivity is improved, but device complexity increases and cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidsubstrate and coating structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the substrate surface properties through treatment to achieve the desired hydrophilicity and non-specific adsorption prevention, eliminating the need for complex multi-layer structures while maintaining detection sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite approach by combining substrate material selection with surface treatment to achieve both non-specific adsorption prevention and high detection sensitivity without requiring separate specialized coating layers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Manufacturing precision

If conventional spotting methods are used, then spot formation is achieved, but uniformity is poor and detection accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespot uniformityVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical spotting methods with a photocrosslinking-based immobilization system that provides better control over spot formation and material distribution, improving both uniformity and detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 biochip achieves high sensitivity, uniform spot distribution, reduced noise, and simplified production, allowing for efficient analysis with small sample volumes and cost-effective point-of-care testing.

Implementation Method 1

a step of immobilizing the biological material on the substrate thereon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3680663B1Substrate for biochip, biochip, method for manufacturing biochip, and method for preserving biochip

Publication Date: 2023.12.06 MITSUBISHI GAS CHEM CO INC

Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a substrate for a biochip, a biochip, a method for manufacturing a biochip, and a method for preserving a biochip. The present invention pertains to a biochip having: a substrate having a hydrophilic reaction area; and a spot for a substance to be fixed that includes a biomaterial, the spot being disposed in the reaction area; the reaction area being enclosed by boundaries capable of retaining a liquid on the inner sides, and the spot furthermore including a thickening agent and/or a surfactant. The present invention also pertains to a method for manufacturing said biochip.