Biocompatible Sensor Enclosure for Long-Life Circuit Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor devices face challenges in maintaining functionality over a long operational lifetime due to exposure to an active immune system when implanted or used in biological environments, leading to potential damage and reduced effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A biocompatible enclosure with a barrier formed from electrically insulating material separates sensor receptor elements from electronic or photonic circuitry, controlling the flow of biological material into a compartment while protecting the circuitry from direct contact, allowing selective sensing of properties without damaging the circuitry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the sensor device is implanted or exposed to biological material for long-term sensing, then the sensing capability is maintained, but the electronic circuitry is damaged by the active immune system and biological material
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device is divided into two separate compartments: a first compartment containing the sensor receptor element that contacts biological material, and a second compartment containing the electronic circuitry that is protected from biological material. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned for its function while protecting sensitive components from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
A barrier with apertures serves as an intermediary structure between the sensor receptor element and the electronic circuitry. This barrier allows selective transport of substances while providing physical protection to the electronic circuitry from direct contact with biological material and the active immune system.
2Reliability
If the sensor receptor element is protected from biological material, then the electronic circuitry is safe, but the sensing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the device have different properties: the first compartment has permeability to biological material for sensing, while the second compartment has impermeability for protection. The barrier selectively allows transport where needed (at the sensor interface) while blocking where protection is required (at the circuitry interface).
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor device (100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600) for sensing a property of a biological material comprises: a biocompatible enclosure (102; 202; 302; 402; 502; 602) comprising a barrier (108; 208; 308; 408; 508; 608) having a first and a second surface; a sensor receptor element (110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610) arranged at the first surface; a substrate (112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612) arranged at the second surface carrying an electronic or photonic circuitry (114; 214; 314; 414; 514; 614) comprising a sensor transducer element (116; 216; 316; 416; 516; 616) for reading out signals from the sensor receptor element; and wherein at least one compartment (104, 106; 204, 206; 304, 306; 404; 504; 606) of the biocompatible enclosure is configured to control transport of the biological material into the compartment or is configured to form a hermetical seal around the substrate.