Biosensor Control Zone Geometry for Uniform Reagent Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biosensors face challenges in accurately controlling the uniformity of reaction reagent thickness on electrodes, leading to inconsistent test results due to edge effects and surface tension, which affects the precision of glucose concentration detection in blood samples.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a biosensor design with a non-sharp-angled reagent diffusion control zone and assisted diffusion electrodes ensures even distribution of reaction reagents, preventing edge effects and overflow, and maintaining consistent reagent thickness across the electrode surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If reaction reagents are dropped onto rectangular control zones, then the reagents can be limited to the required area, but the reagents cannot fully cover the vertex angles and overflow the sides, causing non-uniform thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the rectangular control zone with sharp angles into a control zone with rounded boundaries. This curvature modification allows reaction reagents to evenly distribute and cover the entire zone including vertex areas, eliminating the edge effects and overflow problems that occur with rectangular zones. The rounded boundaries enable uniform reagent thickness across the electrode surface.
2Quantity of substance
If the amount of reaction reagent is increased to ensure full coverage, then coverage area improves, but reagent overflow occurs and thickness uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By rounding the boundaries of the control zone, the patent creates a shape that naturally guides reagent distribution. The curved boundaries prevent sharp edges where overflow typically occurs, allowing the reagent to evenly fill the zone without spilling over the sides, thus achieving full coverage without harmful overflow.
3Ease of manufacture
If rectangular control zones are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but vertex angles cannot be filled with reagents, causing detection inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the control zone geometry from rectangular with sharp angles to rounded boundaries. This change ensures that reaction reagents can completely cover the entire control zone including areas that would correspond to vertex angles, eliminating detection dead zones and improving measurement precision while remaining manufacturable.
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
This approach enhances the accuracy of glucose concentration detection by ensuring uniform reagent distribution, improving the consistency of test results and reducing the risk of misdiagnosis in diabetic patients, potentially benefiting millions by increasing testing accuracy by 1%.
Implementation Method 1
reagent diffusion control zone (6) in the control layer (5), wherein the added reaction reagent diffuses in the control zone (6)
Implementation Method 2
the reduced electron acceptor will be electrochemically oxidized and the concentration of glucose in the sample can be obtained by calculating the current value of oxidation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2E
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A biosensor comprising an insulative substrate (1) and an electrode system arranged on the insulative substrate (1). The electrode system comprises thereon a reagent capable of reacting with a test sample. The electrode system comprises functional electrodes (2, 3, and 4) used for testing and assisted diffusion electrodes (12) used for controlling the diffusion of the reagent. The functional electrodes (2, 3, and 4) are arranged between the assisted diffusion electrodes (12). Because the assisted diffusion electrode (12) are capable of overcoming the effect of surface tension of the insulative base board, the reagent is allowed to diffuse smoothly and uniformly on the electrode system and to arrive at a predetermined position.