Electrochemical Biosensor Counter Electrode Under-Filled Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrochemical biosensors often produce erroneous measurements due to under-filled sample conditions, which are difficult to detect, especially in self-testing environments where small sample volumes are used, leading to potential serious medical implications for conditions like diabetes.
Innovation Solution
An electrochemical sensor with a counter electrode having high- and low-resistance portions, along with a reagent on the working electrode, applies a voltage profile and measures current profiles to generate an under-filled error signal, distinguishing between correctly and under-filled conditions through characteristic current responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a small sample volume is used for testing, then the device portability and convenience are improved, but the ability to visually detect under-filled conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism (electrical resistance measurement) to detect sample volume. The counter electrode with high-resistance portion acts as a mediator that translates the physical state of sample filling into an electrical signal that can be reliably measured and distinguished, solving the detection difficulty without compromising the small sample volume requirement.
2Productivity
If an under-filled sample condition occurs, then the testing process can still be completed, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to erroneous results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of the filling condition before the actual measurement is taken. By measuring the electrical resistance across the counter electrode during or before the analyte measurement, the system identifies under-filled conditions in advance and can flag or reject potentially erroneous results, preventing inaccurate measurements from being reported.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback by comparing the measured electrical resistance against expected ranges. When the resistance indicates an under-filled condition, the system provides feedback to alert the user or invalidate the test result, ensuring that only properly filled samples produce valid measurements.
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 reliably detects under-filled conditions by producing distinct current profiles, ensuring accurate glucose concentration measurements and preventing erroneous results.
Implementation Method 1
The counter electrode includes a high-resistance portion and a low-resistance portion
Implementation Method 2
The electrochemical biosensor includes a reagent designed to react with glucose in the blood to create an oxidation current at electrodes
Implementation Method 3
react with glucose in the blood to create an oxidation current at electrodes disposed within the electrochemical biosensor
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrochemical sensor (10) for detecting the concentration of analyte in a fluid test sample is disclosed. The sensor (10) includes a counter electrode having a high-resistance portion for use in detecting whether a predetermined amount of sample has been received by the test sensor.