Electrochemical Sensor Structure for Low-Volume Multi-Biomarker Testing
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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, reduce noise from undesirable proteins, and facilitate home-based testing with emergency communication capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If portable health-monitoring devices detect multiple biomarkers from limited bodily fluid samples, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two main segments: a reusable point-of-care (PoC) device and disposable electrochemical-sensor structures. This segmentation allows the complex multi-biomarker detection functionality to be contained in the disposable sensor structures, while the PoC device remains relatively simple and can be reused. Each disposable sensor structure is pre-configured with specific sensor arrays for detecting particular biomarkers, eliminating the need for complex reconfiguration capabilities in the PoC device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable electrochemical-sensor structures that are discarded after a single use. These disposable sensors contain the complex sensor arrays and reagents needed for multi-biomarker detection, while the expensive and sensitive PoC device remains intact for reuse. This approach transfers the complexity to disposable components, making the main device simpler and more cost-effective.
2Adaptability or versatility
If portable health-monitoring devices are designed for home-based testing by untrained users, then accessibility is improved, but ease of operation requires simplification
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be self-service oriented with pre-configured disposable sensor structures that automatically perform the detection process. The PoC device automatically interfaces with the disposable sensors, processes the samples, and generates results without requiring user intervention in the complex analytical steps. This automation enables untrained users to perform sophisticated multi-biomarker detection at home.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable electrochemical-sensor structures are pre-prepared with specific sensor arrays, reagents, and sample handling mechanisms before use. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for users to perform complex setup, calibration, or sample preparation steps, making the device easy to operate while maintaining high diagnostic capability.
3Productivity
If disposable electrochemical-sensor structures are used for detecting biomarkers, then productivity is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable sensor structures incorporate localized sample processing zones with specific functional areas for different detection purposes. The sample is directed through defined pathways where it interacts with specific sensors only where needed, minimizing the total sample volume required while maximizing detection efficiency across multiple biomarkers.
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 user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The PoC device then detects and measure the quantity of one or more biomarkers and/or or disease-analytes indicative of health conditions in the received bodily fluid samples 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.