Cell Biopotential Sensor Substrate With Dual-Sided Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional measurement devices for cell biopotentials face challenges in maintaining a constant culture solution temperature due to heat generation from high-speed processing circuits, which affects cell activity.
Innovation Solution
A measurement device with a substrate featuring multiple electrodes, a sensing control circuit, temperature sensors, and dual heat radiating units (front and back surface) to control and maintain solution temperature, utilizing a Peltier element for temperature adjustment and cooling, and a shielding unit to reduce unnecessary radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large number of electrodes and high-speed processing circuits are arranged to detect cell potential, then measurement capability and detection speed are improved, but heat generation increases causing culture solution temperature to rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third dimension for heat management by adding heat radiating units on both the front surface and back surface of the substrate. This dual-sided heat radiation approach effectively dissipates heat from the high-speed processing circuits in multiple directions, preventing heat accumulation that would otherwise transfer to the culture solution and affect cell activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temperature control unit as an intermediary component that mediates between the heat-generating processing circuits and the culture solution. This unit includes heat radiating units that act as thermal intermediaries, conducting heat away from the circuits and radiating it outward, thereby protecting the culture solution from direct heat transfer while maintaining measurement functionality.
2Productivity
If high-speed processing is performed to handle large number of electrode signals, then detection capability is improved, but heat generation from processing circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat generated by high-speed processing circuits into a manageable thermal output by introducing dedicated heat radiating units. These units are strategically positioned on both surfaces of the substrate to efficiently dissipate the heat in controlled directions, transforming the harmful thermal byproduct into a directed heat flow that does not interfere with cell culture conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the heat dissipation function into separate dedicated heat radiating units positioned on both the front and back surfaces of the substrate. This segmentation allows independent optimization of heat radiation paths and surfaces, enabling effective heat management without interfering with the electrode arrangement and signal processing functions on the front surface.
3Stability of the object's composition
If temperature control components are added to maintain constant solution temperature, then temperature stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature control functionality with the existing substrate structure by integrating heat radiating units directly onto both surfaces of the substrate. This integration approach combines multiple functions (structural support, electrode mounting, and heat dissipation) into a unified design, reducing the need for separate temperature control components and minimizing overall device complexity while maintaining effective temperature stability.
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 effectively maintains a constant solution temperature, preventing heat-induced cell activity disruptions and improving measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature adjustment unit performs the temperature adjustment by a Peltier element
Implementation Method 2
the cooling unit performs the cooling by circulating cooling water
Implementation Method 3
a front surface side heat radiating unit that is arranged on a front surface side of the substrate and radiates heat; a back surface side heat radiating unit that is arranged on a back surface side that is a surface different from the front surface of the substrate and radiates heat
Data Source
AI summary
In a device that measures biopotentials of cells in a solution, the solution is controlled at a constant temperature. A measurement device includes a substrate, a sensing control circuit, a temperature sensor, a front surface side heat radiating unit, a back surface side heat radiating unit, and a temperature control unit. A plurality of electrodes each detecting a potential in the solution is arranged on the front surface of the substrate. The sensing control circuit is arranged on the substrate and controls detection of potentials at the plurality of electrodes. The temperature sensor is arranged on the substrate and detects a temperature of the solution. The front surface side heat radiating unit is arranged on the front surface side of the substrate and radiates heat. The back surface side heat radiating unit is arranged on the back surface side that is a surface different from the front surface of the substrate, and radiates heat. The temperature control unit controls the temperature of the solution on the basis of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.