Handheld Electrochemical Sensor for Biomarker Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current analyte detection devices for clinical and point-of-care settings are limited in accuracy, reliability, and are often complex and expensive, making them unsuitable for practical use in detecting biomarkers for conditions like cancer in bodily fluids.
Innovation Solution
A handheld point-of-care device utilizing Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) or Electrochemical Capacitance Spectroscopy (ECS) in combination with a molecular recognition element (MRE) on an electrochemical sensor to detect biomarkers in various bodily fluids, allowing for the measurement of complex impedance and phase shift to determine analyte presence and concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex and expensive analyte detection devices are used in clinical settings, then measurement accuracy and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical and optical detection systems with an electrochemical sensing system. The electrochemical sensor uses simple electrical measurements (impedance and capacitance) to detect analytes, eliminating the need for complex mechanical components and optical paths while maintaining high measurement precision through electrochemical reactions between analytes and recognition elements on the electrode surface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent measures impedance and capacitance parameters across multiple frequencies to detect analyte presence. By changing the measurement frequency parameter and analyzing the frequency-dependent response, the system achieves high measurement precision with a relatively simple device architecture, as different frequency responses provide information about different aspects of the electrochemical system
2Reliability
If complex and expensive analyte detection devices are used in clinical settings, then measurement reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical and optical detection systems with electrochemical sensing, which uses simple electrical measurements. This substitution dramatically reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining reliability through the use of well-established electrochemical principles and robust electrode-based detection that is less susceptible to environmental interference
Solution Approach 2:
The electrochemical sensor platform is designed to detect multiple different analytes by simply changing the molecular recognition element on the electrode surface. This universal platform approach reduces per-unit costs through standardized manufacturing of the electrochemical cell and electronics, while maintaining high reliability across different analyte detection applications
3Measurement precision
If traditional analyte detection methods are used, then detection capability is achieved, but portability and ease of use in point-of-care settings are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection system into a small, portable electrochemical sensor unit that can be easily held and operated by a user, separate from larger laboratory equipment. The sensor measures impedance and capacitance at multiple frequencies to maintain biomarker detection precision while fitting into a compact, handheld form factor that is easy to operate in point-of-care settings
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs multiple frequency measurements and uses signal processing to extract accurate biomarker information from the impedance and capacitance data. This parameter-based approach allows the compact device to achieve laboratory-quality detection precision by analyzing frequency-dependent responses rather than relying on complex hardware
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 and reliable detection of biomarkers in bodily fluids, such as tears and serum, for conditions like cancer, using a user-friendly, cost-effective, and portable device, with optimized frequencies for improved reproducibility and sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
The presence of biomarkers or other analytes can be detected in bodily fluids, such as blood, gingival crevicular fluid, serum, plasma, urine, nasal swab, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, gastric fluid, lymph fluid, interstitial fluid, tissue homogenate, cell extracts, saliva, sputum, stool, physiological secretions, tears, mucus, sweat, milk, semen, seminal fluid, vaginal secretions, fluid from ulcers and other surface eruptions, blisters, and abscesses, and extracts of tissues including biopsies of normal, and suspect tissues or any other constituents of the body which may contain the target molecule of interest using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) or Electrochemical Capacitance Spectroscopy (ECS)
Implementation Method 2
The presence of biomarkers or other analytes can be detected in bodily fluids, such as blood, gingival crevicular fluid, serum, plasma, urine, nasal swab, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid, amniotic fluid, gastric fluid, lymph fluid, interstitial fluid, tissue homogenate, cell extracts, saliva, sputum, stool, physiological secretions, tears, mucus, sweat, milk, semen, seminal fluid, vaginal secretions, fluid from ulcers and other surface eruptions, blisters, and abscesses, and extracts of tissues including biopsies of normal, and suspect tissues or any other constituents of the body which may contain the target molecule of interest using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) or Electrochemical Capacitance Spectroscopy (ECS)
Implementation Method 3
systems and methods that utilize EIS and/or ECS in combination with a molecular recognition element (MRE) (e.g., a synthetic antibody or bio-mimetic polymer, such as a peptoid) or other target-capturing molecule (e.g., a naturally occurring antibody) on the working electrode of an electrochemical sensor
Data Source
AI summary
The presence of biomarkers or other analytes can be detected in the bodily fluid using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) or Electrochemical Capacitance Spectroscopy (ECS) in devices, such as handheld point-of-care devices. The devices, as well as systems and methods, utilize using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) or Electrochemical Capacitance Spectroscopy (EIS) in combination with an antibody or other target-capturing molecule on a working electrode. Imaginary impedance or phase shift, as well as background subtraction, also may be utilized.