Biosensor Retaining Structure for Consistent Resonator Droplet Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for immobilizing molecules on sensor surfaces, such as antibodies or antigens, face challenges with alignment due to air currents and surface changes, leading to increased variability and the need for larger droplet volumes, which can affect device performance and manufacturing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of a retaining structure around the target surface of a sensor, combined with a resonating structure and a droplet of functionalized material, ensures alignment and prevents wandering of the droplet, allowing for the use of smaller droplet volumes and improving manufacturing consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If larger droplet volumes are printed to accommodate variations in printing location, then alignment variability is reduced, but device performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating mechanical alignment features (retaining structures and positioning features) on the substrate before the droplet printing process. These pre-formed features guide the droplet to the correct location, eliminating the need to compensate for alignment variability through larger droplet volumes. The retaining structure physically constrains the droplet within a defined region, ensuring consistent coverage of the resonating structure regardless of minor printing location variations.
2Manufacturing precision
If larger droplet volumes are used to ensure coverage, then manufacturing consistency improves, but manufacturing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a retaining structure with specific local geometric features (such as moats, trenches, or raised boundaries) at the target printing location. This local structural modification creates a physical constraint that guides and contains the droplet, ensuring consistent coverage without requiring excessive droplet volume. The retaining structure is localized only where needed, maintaining manufacturing efficiency while achieving consistent coverage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the printing tip is raised further away from the surface to accommodate air currents, then air current interference is reduced, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mechanical alignment features (retaining structures and positioning features) as intermediaries between the printing tip and the target surface. These features serve as a mediator that compensates for the increased distance between the tip and surface. The retaining structure physically guides the droplet to the correct location, acting as an intermediary that maintains alignment precision even when the printing tip operates at a greater distance from the substrate to avoid air current interference.
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 consistency and efficiency of molecule immobilization on sensor surfaces, reducing variability and improving the performance of acoustic wave sensors by maintaining the droplet's alignment and ensuring consistent coverage of the resonating structure.
Implementation Method 1
The resonating structure is disposed on the target surface of the substrate including a piezoelectric layer
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes methods and devices that assist in forming biosensors. Specifically, features that align solutions containing molecules to be immobilized on biosensors. A retaining structure may be disposed at least partially around a target surface of a substrate. A resonating structure may be disposed on the target surface. A droplet of functionalized material may be disposed on the resonating structure and the target surface, which may be auto-aligned and retained by the retaining structure on the target surface to consistently cover the resonating structure.