Electric Field Sensor Structure for Precise Charged Species Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biological and chemical sensors face challenges in accurately and efficiently manipulating and measuring charged species in samples, particularly due to limitations in controlling electric fields and interactions with target analytes.
Innovation Solution
The use of an electric field generator with a plurality of structures that concentrate electric fields to form high electric field regions, allowing for precise manipulation and measurement of charged species by creating distinct manipulation regions and utilizing a sensing assembly to provide measurement signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional electric field generation is used without field-concentrating structures, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision and manipulation accuracy of charged species are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces field-concentrating structures (such as needle electrodes or sharp-edged components) at specific locations within the sensor to create localized high electric field regions. These structures concentrate the electric field precisely where needed for charged species manipulation, while the rest of the device maintains a simple conventional design. This local enhancement of field strength improves measurement precision without requiring complex redesign of the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric field generation system is segmented into two functional parts: a conventional electrode structure for general field generation and additional field-concentrating structures for localized field enhancement. This segmentation allows the device to maintain overall simplicity while adding precision-critical features only where required for charged species manipulation and measurement.
2Force
If high electric field strength is applied uniformly across the entire sensing region, then charged species manipulation is effective, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying high electric field strength uniformly across the entire sensing region, the patent uses field-concentrating structures to create localized high field regions only where charged species manipulation is required. This localized approach maintains effective manipulation force at target locations while minimizing the overall power consumption, as high field strength is not maintained across the entire device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies electric field strength selectively and partially - using high field strength only in specific localized regions where needed for manipulation, rather than applying excessive field strength uniformly everywhere. This partial action approach achieves effective charged species manipulation while avoiding the prohibitive power consumption that would result from uniform high-field application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single electric field configuration is used, then the device design is simple, but the versatility in manipulating different types of charged species is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable field-concentrating structures that can be dynamically positioned or configured to create different electric field patterns. This dynamic capability allows the same device to manipulate different types of charged species (ions, molecules, cells) by adjusting the field configuration, thereby enhancing versatility without requiring multiple fixed dedicated structures for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The field-concentrating structures are designed to serve multiple functions: they can concentrate fields for different types of charged species, create various field patterns (gradient, uniform, focal), and work with different sensing modalities. This multi-functionality allows a single device configuration to handle diverse analytical requirements, improving versatility while avoiding the need for complex specialized structures for each application type.
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 and speed of analysis by enabling precise control over charged species, allowing for improved interaction with target analytes and filtering, while reducing power consumption and increasing versatility in electric field customization.
Implementation Method 1
the electric field generator is configured to generate an electric field between the first electrode element and second electrode element in the region
Implementation Method 2
each of the plurality of structures is configured to concentrate an applied electric field to form corresponding high electric field regions within the region
Implementation Method 3
charged species in a sample provided to the region can interact with the high electric field regions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The present disclosure provides relates to sensors for determining a property of a target analyte in a sample, devices for manipulating a charged species in a sample and systems and methods for determining a property of a target analyte in a sample. These comprise an electric field generator comprising a first electrode element; a second electrode element spaced apart from the first electrode element to define a region therebetween; and a plurality of structures provided within the region, wherein the each of the plurality of structures is configured to concentrate an applied electric field to form corresponding high electric field regions within the region.