Biodegradable Light Shielding Layer for Sensor Chip Embedding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sensor chips with metal pattern layers for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy have poor physical durability, leading to reduced sensitivity and shorter lifespan when embedded in biological subjects due to damage from contact with embedding jigs and tissue.

Innovation Solution

A sensor chip design featuring a substrate with a metal pattern, a proximate substance, and a biodegradable light shielding layer that blocks excitation light and degrades within the subject, preventing damage to the metal pattern and allowing for accurate analyte detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sensor chip with metal pattern layer is embedded in a biological body, then analyte detection capability is achieved, but the metal pattern layer is damaged due to contact with embedding jig and tissue, reducing sensor sensitivity and lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor sensitivityVSAvoidphysical durability of metal pattern layer

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

A light shielding layer made of biodegradable material is formed over the metal pattern layer before embedding. This layer acts as a protective cushion during the embedding process, preventing direct contact between the fragile metal pattern and the embedding jig or biological tissue, thereby avoiding damage to the metal structure and maintaining sensor sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The light shielding layer serves as an intermediary protective layer between the metal pattern layer and the external environment. It temporarily shields the metal pattern during embedding and initial implantation, allowing the sensor to be installed without direct mechanical contact that would cause damage to the sensitive metal nanostructures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If a light shielding layer is added to protect the metal pattern, then physical durability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephysical durabilityVSAvoidsensor chip structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light shielding layer is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: (1) protecting the metal pattern layer during embedding and implantation, (2) blocking excitation light from reaching the metal pattern to prevent unwanted signals, and (3) being biodegradable to eliminate the need for surgical removal. By combining protection, optical shielding, and biocompatibility in a single layer, the overall device complexity is minimized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The light shielding layer is designed with specific material parameters - using biodegradable materials with appropriate thickness and optical properties. The thickness is optimized to provide sufficient mechanical protection and light blocking while maintaining biocompatibility. By carefully controlling these parameters, the layer provides maximum protection with minimal added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 sensor chip maintains sensitivity and extends lifespan by preventing damage during embedding, enabling precise detection of analytes like glucose within biological bodies.

Implementation Method 1

the metal pattern induces a surface plasmon wave by being irradiated with excitation light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface plasmon wave:

Implementation Method 2

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering is a phenomenon in which Raman-scattered light from molecules that have adhered to the surface of a specially-designed sensor chip having a precious metal structure of nanometer size increases in intensity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface-enhanced Raman scattering:

Implementation Method 3

the light shielding layer is a layer which blocks the excitation light from going into the proximate substance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS9610033B2Sensor chip, detection method, and detection apparatus

Publication Date: 2017.04.04 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

An exemplary sensor chip includes a substrate, a metal pattern, a proximate substance, and a light shielding layer. The metal pattern is on the substrate. The proximate substance is on or near the metal pattern. The light shielding layer is provided on the substrate so as to cover the metal pattern and the proximate substance. The light shielding layer is a layer that blocks the excitation light from going into the proximate substance, and is made of a substance which becomes degraded inside a subject.