Portable Electrochemical Sensor System for Multi-Biomarker Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable health-monitoring devices face challenges in accurately detecting multiple biomarkers from limited bodily fluid samples, are limited in emergency communication, and require improved accessibility and efficiency for untrained users.
Innovation Solution
A portable electrochemical-sensor system with a point-of-care device and disposable electrochemical-sensor structures that can detect multiple biomarkers, integrate geospatial health care, and communicate emergencies, suitable for home-based testing by untrained users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a portable health-monitoring device is designed to detect multiple biomarkers, then the diagnostic capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a reusable portable reader unit and disposable electrochemical-sensor structures. This segmentation allows the complex multi-biomarker detection functionality to be concentrated in the disposable sensor, while the reader remains relatively simple and portable. Each disposable sensor can be configured for specific biomarker panels, enabling versatility without permanently increasing the complexity of the main device.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable reader is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple types of disposable electrochemical-sensor structures. The reader can detect various biomarkers by simply changing the disposable sensor cartridge, which contains the specific electrochemical sensors for different biomarkers. This multi-functionality approach allows the device to detect multiple biomarkers while keeping the reader design relatively simple.
2Quantity of substance
If the device processes limited bodily fluid samples, then the sample volume requirement is reduced, but the measurement precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrochemical-sensor structures incorporate porous materials with high surface area to volume ratios, such as nanomaterials and porous electrodes. These porous structures provide extensive active surface area for biomarker binding and electrochemical reactions within a very small sample volume. The high surface area enables sufficient signal generation for accurate detection even when only microliters of bodily fluid are available.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable sensors utilize composite materials combining electrochemically active materials with high surface area structures. These composite materials enhance the sensitivity and detection limit, allowing accurate biomarker measurement from limited sample volumes. The composite structure maximizes the interaction between the biomarker and sensing elements within the constrained sample volume.
3Reliability
If emergency communication features are integrated, then the patient safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates automatic emergency detection and communication features that operate without requiring user training or intervention. The system automatically monitors health parameters, detects critical conditions based on pre-programmed thresholds, and initiates emergency communication protocols. This self-service approach improves patient safety while minimizing the operational complexity for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The device includes feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor biomarker levels and automatically trigger emergency alerts when critical thresholds are exceeded. The system provides real-time feedback to both the user and emergency contacts, enabling rapid response to health crises. This automated feedback loop enhances safety while keeping the user interface simple.
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
Enables accurate detection of multiple biomarkers without clinical visits, reduces healthcare burden, and enhances emergency access and communication, improving patient safety and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The PoC device detects and measures the quantity of one or more biomarkers and/or disease-analytes by measuring the energy property of the sample fluid
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4D
AI summary
An electrochemical-sensor structure having a substrate and a nanostructured-sensing surface that receives a volume of a sample fluid. A sample region of the electrochemical-sensor structure for receiving the sample fluid volume is sized such that the volume of the fluid is sufficient to operatively cover a portion of the sample region of the electrochemical-sensor structure including the nanostructured-sensing surface. The electrochemical-sensor structure is connectable to a portable point-of-care (PoC) device. The PoC device may detect the energy properties of the sample fluid from the sample region of the electrochemical-sensor structure, to produce a signal comprising a fluid reading wherein the fluid reading is related to the energy properties of a biomarker in the sample fluid thereby indicating the presence, the absence, or the quantity of the biomarker in the sample fluid.