Electrochemistry Chip Layout for Stable Embryo OCR Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrochemistry detection chips face issues with reference potential stability and specimen fixing, leading to inefficient embryo OCR measurements.

Innovation Solution

The electrochemistry detection chip incorporates a reference material layer, a first structural layer, and a covering layer, with the reference electrode and working electrode in separate wells connected by a salt bridge, and uses a first structural layer with support arms to stabilize specimen positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the reference electrode and working electrode are integrated on the same substrate without separate wells, then the device structure is simpler, but the reference potential stability deteriorates due to lack of isolation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidreference potential stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into separate working well and reference well, isolating the reference electrode from the specimen environment while maintaining integration on the same substrate. This physical segmentation through well separation resolves the contradiction by providing both structural integration and functional isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A salt bridge is introduced as an intermediary element connecting the reference well and working well. The salt bridge allows ionic communication while maintaining physical separation, enabling reference potential stability without complete isolation, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the specimen is placed in a single-thickness microwell without support structures, then the device structure is simpler, but the specimen fixing stability deteriorates leading to measurement errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidspecimen positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Support arms are pre-formed as part of the substrate structure before specimen placement. These pre-formed support arms create defined positioning regions that guide and stabilize specimen placement, resolving the contradiction by providing positioning accuracy without adding complex assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate is modified locally at specific regions to create support arms with different mechanical properties than the surrounding substrate. This local structural modification provides enhanced specimen support and positioning accuracy only where needed, maintaining overall structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the reference electrode is exposed without a reference material layer, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the reference potential stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing processVSAvoidreference potential stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reference electrode is enhanced by adding a reference material layer (such as AgCl) to form a composite structure. This composite material approach improves reference potential stability through the electrochemical properties of the reference material while maintaining compatibility with standard manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 design enhances reference potential stability and specimen fixing, improving detection efficiency and accuracy by reducing reference potential fluctuations and specimen movement-related errors.

Implementation Method 1

a reference material layer which is disposed on the reference electrode and is composed of silver chloride (AgCl)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

a salt bridge connecting layer which is disposed on the base layer, and one end of it is located in the working well, and the other end of it is located in the reference well

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon transport: Diffusion

Implementation Method 3

an electrode chip which is disposed on the base layer, and comprises at least a working electrode, a reference electrode, and a counter electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical detection: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentEP4682529A1Electrochemistry detection chip

Publication Date: 2026.01.21 CHUNG SHAN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

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AI summary

An electrochemistry detection chip (10, 20) comprises: a base layer (11, 21), an electrode chip (12, 22), an insulating layer (13, 23), a reference material layer (14, 24), a first structural layer (15, 25) which is disposed on the insulating layer (13, 23) and comprises: a plurality of bottom support arms (151, 251), wherein the ends of the bottom support arms (151, 251) are adjacent to each other to jointly define a specimen accommodation area (152, 252); a covering layer (16, 26), and a salt bridge connecting layer (17, 27). The electrochemistry detection chip (10, 20) of the present invention can be used to detect the respiratory activity of embryos.