Biofluid Sensing Device with Concentration Channel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Low concentration analytes in sweat pose challenges for detection using electrochemical aptamer-based sensors, as they require concentration to achieve reliable and continuous measurement, and existing technologies are ill-suited for wearable devices due to complex microfluidic manipulation and limited shelf-life components.
Innovation Solution
A biofluid sensing device with a concentration channel, selectively permeable membrane, and EAB sensors on a water-impermeable substrate, which concentrates the biofluid sample using microfluidic components and secondary sensors to enhance detection of low concentration analytes, allowing for qualitative and quantitative measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If EAB sensors are used for detecting analytes in sweat, then the sensors provide stable and reliable detection, but they cannot detect low concentration analytes (nM to pM and lower) because sweat analyte concentrations are too low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a concentration channel that pre-concentrates analytes from sweat before they reach the EAB sensor. This preliminary concentration step ensures that low concentration analytes (nM to pM and lower) are enriched to detectable levels, allowing the EAB sensor to reliably detect targets that would otherwise be below its detection threshold.
2Measurement precision
If conventional sensor technologies are used for detecting larger molecules, then they can detect low concentration analytes, but they require complex microfluidic manipulation and reagents with limited shelf-life, making them unsuitable for wearable devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the concentration function from complex microfluidic systems and implements it through a simplified concentration channel with a selectively permeable membrane. This extraction eliminates the need for complex microfluidic manipulation and reagents, while maintaining the ability to concentrate low concentration analytes for detection by EAB sensors in wearable devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a concentration channel with a selectively permeable membrane that can be manufactured as a disposable component. This approach replaces expensive, complex microfluidic systems with a simpler, cost-effective structure that achieves the same concentration function, making it suitable for single-use wearable sweat sensing applications.
3Quantity of substance
If sweat sampling is performed at high sweat rates (>1 nL/min/gland), then sufficient analyte concentration can be achieved, but this limits detection to only high concentration analytes (μM to mM) and athletic applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter by implementing a concentration channel that actively enriches analytes from sweat. This parameter change allows the system to detect low concentration analytes (nM to pM and lower) without requiring high sweat rates, thereby expanding the detection range from only high concentration analytes to include low concentration analytes across diverse applications beyond athletic monitoring.
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 accurate detection and measurement of low concentration analytes by concentrating the biofluid sample, improving the reliability and continuous sensing capabilities of EAB sensors in wearable devices, addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
A biofluid sensing device with a concentration channel, selectively permeable membrane, and EAB sensors
Implementation Method 2
selectively permeable membrane
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a biofluid sensing device capable of concentrating a biofluid sample with respect to a target analyte, so that the analyte can be accurately detected or measured by EAB sensors. Methods for using such a device provide qualitative information about the presence of the analyte, and/or quantitative information about relative concentrations of the analyte in the biofluid. The disclosed device includes a concentration channel for concentrating the biofluid sample, as well as a selectively permeable membrane, one or more EAB sensors, and one or more secondary sensors carried on a water-impermeable substrate. A method for using the disclosed device to collect a biofluid sample, concentrate the sample relative to a target analyte, and measure the target analyte is also disclosed.