Electrode Device for Electrochemical Sensor Using Vertical Piercing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical sensor chip electrode devices face issues with reduced sensitivity due to long conduction paths and electromagnetic noise, and are prone to short-circuiting when used with liquid samples, making them unsuitable for multi-point measurements and as disposable products.
Innovation Solution
An electrode device with an insulation sheet and electrode members made of a conductive particle and insulating material mixture, where the electrode members pierce the sheet in a thickness direction, reducing conduction paths and preventing sample infiltration, allowing for compact, reliable, and sensitive measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a planar electrode device with a conductive pattern is used to extract potential, then the electrode device can be manufactured at low cost using printing methods, but the conduction path becomes long and the device becomes susceptible to electromagnetic noise, reducing detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar two-dimensional electrode structure to a three-dimensional structure where electrode members pierce through the insulation sheet in the thickness direction. This vertical arrangement shortens the conduction path length and reduces electromagnetic noise exposure while maintaining the low-cost manufacturing advantage of the insulation sheet and electrode member configuration.
2Ease of manufacture
If the planar electrode device and conductive pattern are formed in a planar extension on the insulation substrate, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the size of the electrode device is increased and multi-point measuring requires a large device size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the thickness dimension of the insulation sheet to accommodate electrode members that pierce through it vertically. This three-dimensional arrangement allows multiple electrode members to be positioned in a compact footprint, enabling multi-point measurement capabilities without increasing the planar device size, while the insulation sheet provides simple manufacturing integration.
3Measurement precision
If an integrated circuit chip with an electrode formed on its surface is used, then additional circuits for amplifying feeble current can be integrated to achieve highly-sensitive measurement, but the sample can infiltrate through fine cracks in the insulation layer causing short-circuiting and reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an insulation sheet as a flexible barrier layer that completely covers the electrode members. This thin film structure prevents liquid samples from infiltrating through cracks or gaps, thereby eliminating short-circuiting risks while allowing the integrated circuit chip to provide sensitive measurement capabilities through its amplification circuits.
4Measurement precision
If the electrode is secured to the surface of an expensive integrated circuit chip, then highly-sensitive measurement is enabled through integrated amplification circuits, but it becomes difficult to use as a disposable product and the electrode cannot be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrode system into separate components: the electrode members are independently positioned on the insulation sheet rather than being permanently secured to the integrated circuit chip. This segmentation allows the electrode assembly to be easily detached and disposed of after use, enabling disposable product functionality while the integrated circuit chip remains intact and can be reused or replaced independently.
5Measurement precision
If the electrode area is miniaturized to reduce capacitive current, then the capacitive current decreases, but miniaturization leads to reduced yields and increased manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses capacitive current reduction by orienting electrode members vertically through the insulation sheet thickness rather than minimizing their planar area. This three-dimensional configuration reduces the effective electrode area exposed to the liquid sample, thereby decreasing capacitive current, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the straightforward process of piercing electrode members through the insulation sheet.
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
Enhances measurement sensitivity and reliability by minimizing electromagnetic interference and preventing short-circuits, enabling compact multi-point measurements without increasing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
electrode members having a conductivity and held by the insulation sheet with the electrode members piercing the insulation sheet in a thickness direction
Data Source
AI summary
An electrode device for an electrochemical sensor chip includes an insulation sheet having an insulating property and including a top surface and a bottom surface opposite to each other in a thickness direction, and electrode members having a conductivity and held by the insulation sheet with the electrode members piercing the insulation sheet in a thickness direction, one ends of the electrode members located on the top surface side of the insulation sheet being connected to an analyte, the other ends located on the bottom surface side of the insulation sheet being connected to an electrodes of a transducer, at least the one ends of the electrode members being made of a mixture of conductive particles and an insulating material.