Biosensor Cartridge Surface Patterning for Accurate Specimen Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biosensors face challenges in accuracy due to color-based target material detection, which is user-dependent and prone to inaccuracy, and have structural limitations that increase chip size and cost, while also risking short circuits and contamination during specimen handling.
Innovation Solution
A biosensor cartridge with a hyper water-repellent structure and patterned accommodation portion that guides specimens accurately to the sensor area, reducing the need for large specimen volumes and minimizing the risk of short circuits, featuring a sensor chip with a connection terminal and a housing that exposes the sensor area for efficient electrical signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the electrode is extended from the sensor to include the connector, then the structure is simplified, but the sensor chip size increases and chip yield degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode structure is divided into two separate components: a sensor electrode on the sensor chip and a separate connector electrode. This segmentation allows the sensor chip to be smaller while maintaining electrical connection functionality through the separate connector, thus resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and chip size.
Solution Approach 2:
A conductive adhesive layer is introduced as an intermediary between the sensor electrode and the connector electrode. This mediator enables electrical connection without requiring the electrode to be physically extended across the entire chip, allowing the sensor chip to remain compact while achieving the desired electrical connectivity.
2Ease of operation
If the specimen accommodation area is widened to allow accurate injection, then the specimen can be handled better, but the cartridge area increases and portability degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The accommodation area is designed with localized features including a recessed portion and a protrusion that creates a confined space. This local structural quality provides precise guidance for specimen injection without requiring the entire cartridge to be larger, thus maintaining portability while improving injection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The accommodation structure utilizes vertical dimension with a recessed portion going downward into the cartridge body. This dimensional approach allows the specimen to be accurately positioned and injected without expanding the horizontal footprint of the cartridge, preserving portability while enhancing ease of operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the electrode thickness is made very thin for dicing process, then manufacturing is improved, but damage and short circuit risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive adhesive layer is applied beforehand to protect the thin electrode during the dicing and assembly processes. This cushioning layer prevents mechanical damage to the fragile thin electrode while maintaining electrical conductivity, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection structure is made composite by combining the thin electrode material with a conductive adhesive layer. This composite structure maintains the electrical properties needed for functionality while adding mechanical strength and damage resistance, thus improving reliability without sacrificing ease of manufacture.
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 biosensor cartridge provides accurate and reliable detection of target materials with reduced specimen volume requirements, minimizing contamination risks and maintaining portability while enhancing accuracy and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the accommodating portion includes a pattern structure for lowering surface energy
Implementation Method 2
if an electrochemical reaction occurs or the target material itself has a charge
Implementation Method 3
electrons or holes in the semiconductor structure are accumulated or depleted due to the electric field effect caused by the combination of the probe material and the target material
Implementation Method 4
transmit an electrical signal generated by reacting with the detected target material to the connection terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A biosensor cartridge can include a circuit board including a connection terminal electrically connectable to an external diagnostic device; a sensor chip detecting a target material from an applied analysis specimen, having a reactant reacting specifically with the target material, and transmitting an electrical signal generated by reacting with the detected target material to the connection terminal of the circuit board; and a housing accommodating the circuit board and the sensor chip and surround the circuit board and the sensor chip so that the connection terminal is exposed. The housing has an inclined surface dent from an upper surface and forms an accommodating portion that exposes the sensor area of the sensor chip and accommodates the test specimen. Further, the accommodating portion includes a pattern structure for lowering surface energy.