Biochip Device Using IC Chip and Vacuum Packaging for Quantitative Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current point-of-care diagnosis devices, such as lateral flow assays, are limited by their qualitative measurement capabilities and require expensive fluorescence analyzers for quantitative measurements, making them inaccessible and costly for general use.
Innovation Solution
A biochip device with an embedded IC chip in a microfluidic plastic substrate, sealed with a PDMS cover, utilizing degas-driven flow and electrical detection to analyze biologic molecules, allowing for portable, affordable, and sensitive point-of-care diagnostics without the need for fluorescence detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluorescence detection analysis is employed for quantitative measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical fluorescence detection system with an electrical detection system using an IC chip with sensing elements (such as field-effect transistors) that directly detect biologic molecules through electrical signals. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive, complex fluorescence analyzers while enabling quantitative measurement through electrical readout connected to simple devices like smartphones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the detection function from the complex fluorescence analyzer system and embeds it into a miniaturized IC chip that can be integrated into a simple microfluidic device. This extraction allows the core detection capability to be separated from the bulky, expensive optical instrumentation, enabling portable and affordable quantitative diagnostics.
2Measurement precision
If fluorescence analyzer is used for quantitative measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but portability and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the IC chip with sensing elements, microfluidic channels, and detection zones into a compact, integrated biochip device that can be connected to portable electronic devices. This nested integration enables the entire quantitative detection system to be miniaturized and made portable, allowing point-of-care diagnostics outside of traditional laboratory settings.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing the optical fluorescence analyzer with an electrical detection system using an IC chip, the patent eliminates the need for bulky optical instrumentation. The electrical signals generated by the sensing elements can be read by simple, portable electronic devices, thereby achieving portability while maintaining quantitative measurement precision.
3Device complexity
If IC chip is embedded in plastic substrate, then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but seamless connection and smooth flow between detection area and microfluidic channel must be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the IC chip with the microfluidic channel structure by embedding the chip directly into the plastic substrate containing the microfluidic channels. The detection zones on the IC chip are positioned to align with the microfluidic channels, creating a seamless integrated structure that ensures continuous fluid flow from the channel into the detection area without disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a detection zone groove or recess in the plastic substrate where the IC chip is embedded. This localized structural modification ensures that the detection area of the IC chip is perfectly aligned with the microfluidic channel, maintaining smooth fluid flow while enabling reliable electrical detection at the specific location where biologic molecules need to be sensed.
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
Enables portable, cost-effective, and sensitive point-of-care diagnostics by using a biochip device with an IC chip and PDMS cover for fluid sample analysis, allowing for quantitative measurements with high specificity and sensitivity, suitable for various body fluids, and compatible with smartphones for signal processing.
Implementation Method 1
The PDMS cover plate is bound with the plastic substrate through vacuum packaging to form capillarity or degas status so as to provide a driving force to drive the fluid sample flowing in the microfluidic channel of the biochip device
Implementation Method 2
The PDMS cover plate is bound with the plastic substrate through vacuum packaging to form capillarity or degas status so as to provide a driving force to drive the fluid sample flowing
Data Source
AI summary
A biochip device for detection of biologic molecules in a fluidic sample is disclosed in this invention. The biochip device comprises a plastic substrate, an IC chip, a sealing cover and a vacuum bag. The plastic substrate comprises a variety of microfluidic structures including an inlet region of loading the fluidic sample, a separation structure, a microfluidic channel, a structure for slowing the flow of the fluidic sample, a reaction region, a detection zone groove, and a closed area for collecting the fluidic sample. The plastic substrate is embedded with an IC chip and covered by a sealing cover made of polydimethylsiloxane, which is encapsulated by a vacuum bag, whereby the microfluidic structures in the plastic substrate are kept in vacuum state inside the vacuum bag.