Electrolyte Sensor Channel Layout to Block Chloride Ion Backflow

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microanalytical chips for electrochemical analysis face accuracy issues due to the diffusion of chloride ions from the reference electrode to the working electrode, affecting the potential and reducing measurement accuracy during potentiometric measurements.

Innovation Solution

The analytical device features a hydrophilic or porous channel region enclosed by a hydrophobic channel wall, with the reference electrode and working electrode separated by a channel wall, allowing for independent conditioning and specimen introduction to prevent backflow of chloride ions, ensuring stable potential differences for accurate measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the reference electrode and working electrode are placed in the same channel region, then the device structure is simplified, but chloride ions diffuse from the reference electrode to the working electrode, affecting measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The channel region is divided into a first channel region containing the reference electrode and a second channel region containing the working electrode, separated by a channel wall. This segmentation prevents chloride ion diffusion between electrodes while maintaining a compact device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A channel wall acts as an intermediary barrier between the reference electrode and working electrode regions. This intermediary structure physically separates the two electrode regions, preventing harmful chloride ion diffusion while allowing the device to maintain simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If chloride ions are introduced to stabilize the reference electrode potential, then the reference potential becomes stable, but chloride ions diffuse to the working electrode and affect its potential

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereference potential stabilityVSAvoidworking electrode potential accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The channel region is divided into a first channel region containing the reference electrode and a second channel region containing the working electrode, separated by a channel wall. This segmentation prevents chloride ion diffusion between electrodes while maintaining a compact device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the device have different functional qualities: the first channel region is optimized for reference electrode stability with chloride ions, while the second channel region is optimized for working electrode measurement. The channel wall creates local separation that preserves the beneficial chloride concentration at the reference electrode without affecting the working electrode region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If the electrodes are placed close together, then the device size is reduced, but chloride ion diffusion distance decreases, worsening measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The channel region is divided into a first channel region containing the reference electrode and a second channel region containing the working electrode, separated by a channel wall. This segmentation prevents chloride ion diffusion between electrodes while maintaining a compact device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A channel wall acts as an intermediary barrier between the reference electrode and working electrode regions. This intermediary structure physically separates the two electrode regions, preventing harmful chloride ion diffusion while allowing the device to maintain simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration stabilizes the potential of the working electrode, enabling accurate electrolyte concentration measurements by preventing chloride ion diffusion and maintaining a stable reference potential, thus improving measurement accuracy without increasing device size or time.

Implementation Method 1

a hydrophilic or porous channel region enclosed by a hydrophobic channel wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS20260056162A1Analytical device and method of measuring an electrolyte concentration

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 CANON KK

AI summary

During electrode conditioning and potentiometric ion concentration measurements, Cl ionic crystal arranged to stabilize the potential of the reference electrode flows back to the working electrode and affect the potential at the working electrode. Provided is an analytical device having a hydrophilic or porous channel region enclosed by a hydrophobic channel wall disposed in an inside of or on a substrate, wherein the analytical device has a first channel region and a working electrode, wherein the first channel region has a reference electrode disposed on the substrate and the working electrode is located outside the first channel region.