Biosensor Substrate with Active and Control Sensors for Accurate Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biosensors for detecting substances in bodily fluids face limitations such as electrostatic screening, inaccurate and non-reproducible signals due to environmental factors, and complexity in design, making them unsuitable for portable and reliable use.

Innovation Solution

An electrical device with a substrate featuring active and control sensors, where the functionalized structure binds substances without an adhesion layer, altering electrical characteristics to provide differential signals for accurate detection, using high-k dielectric layers and engineered binding receptors like cysteine proteins to minimize distance and interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing biosensors are used for analyte detection, then detection capability is provided, but signals are inaccurate and non-reproducible due to environmental factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal accuracyVSAvoidsignal reproducibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the sensing function into two independent components: active sensors that detect analyte binding events and control sensors that monitor environmental factors. By separating these functions, the system can distinguish between signals caused by analyte presence and those caused by environmental variations, thereby improving both accuracy and reproducibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control sensors provide continuous feedback about environmental conditions (temperature, pH, ionic strength) to the signal processing system. This feedback enables real-time compensation for environmental effects, ensuring that the final analyte detection signal remains accurate and reproducible despite environmental fluctuations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If electrical biosensors are used to detect substances, then detection is enabled, but electrostatic screening in complex media limits performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidelectrostatic screening
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces high-k dielectric layers as intermediary structures between the electrical sensing elements and the complex biological media. These dielectric layers act as mediators that reduce the impact of electrostatic screening by providing electrical isolation while maintaining sensing capability, thereby preserving detection accuracy in complex media

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the electrical parameters of the sensor system by using high-k dielectric materials with specific permittivity values. This parameter change modifies the electrical field distribution and reduces the effectiveness of electrostatic screening from the complex media, enabling accurate detection despite the presence of interfering charged species

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If functionalized structures are positioned close to active sensors, then detection sensitivity improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoiddevice fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The functionalized structures are pre-positioned at optimal distances from the active sensors during the fabrication process, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing adjustment. This preliminary action ensures maximum detection sensitivity while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through integrated fabrication steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If reference and calibration processes are implemented, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidcalibration requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control sensors enable the device to perform self-calibration by automatically monitoring environmental factors and adjusting measurements accordingly. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual reference and calibration processes, maintaining measurement accuracy while simplifying operation and reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 device achieves reliable and stable detection of chemical and biological substances in bodily fluids by minimizing electrostatic interference and environmental factor effects, providing accurate and reproducible results through differential signal analysis.

Implementation Method 1

electrostatic screening in complex media

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic interaction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

the functionalized structure binds substances

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

high-k dielectric layers to minimize distance and interference

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric permittivity: Dielectric Permittivity

Data Source

PatentEP3197359B1Systems and methods for detecting a substance in bodily fluid
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 ESENSE LLC
  • EP3197359B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3197359B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3197359B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4B

AI summary

Various devices, systems and methods for determining a parameter of and/or detecting chemical and biological substances in bodily fluid are described herein. A device or system may include a substrate. An active sensor having an electrical characteristic and/or a control sensor may be disposed on the substrate. In certain variations, a differential between a first signal from the active sensor, and a second signal from the control sensor may be used to determine a parameter of the chemical or biological substance in the sample of bodily fluid.