Graphene Biosensor for Non-Invasive Prostate Cancer Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current prostate cancer diagnosis technologies are invasive, often resulting in false-positive results and causing discomfort to patients, with existing methods being inadequate for early and accurate detection, particularly in non-invasive and non-burdening ways for elderly and children.

Innovation Solution

A biosensor with a reaction unit incorporating reduced graphene oxide (rGO) that interacts physically or chemically with target materials in a sample, allowing for the detection of prostate cancer markers in urine samples through electrical conductivity changes, using a biological probe specific to miRNAs such as miRNA21, miRNA1246, and let7b.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If invasive diagnostic methods (blood sampling, biopsy) are used to detect prostate cancer markers, then diagnostic accuracy can be improved, but patient discomfort and physical burden increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidpatient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces invasive mechanical procedures (needle biopsy, blood draw) with a non-invasive electrochemical sensing system that detects prostate cancer markers in urine through electrical conductivity changes, eliminating physical trauma while maintaining diagnostic capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces urine as an intermediary fluid that contains prostate cancer markers (PSA, miRNAs) and can be collected non-invasively, serving as a mediator between the patient's internal state and the external diagnostic device without requiring direct tissue or blood access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional electrochemical sensors are used for detecting prostate cancer markers in urine, then device simplicity is maintained, but sensitivity and stability in urine environment are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensitivity in urine environmentVSAvoidsensor structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite sensing surface combining reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), where rGO provides high electrical conductivity and stability in urine while AuNPs enhance the electrochemical signal, achieving superior sensitivity without significantly increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the electrochemical parameters of the sensor by incorporating rGO, which changes the electrical conductivity and surface properties of the electrode, enabling the sensor to maintain stable and sensitive detection performance in the complex urine environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If single diagnostic method (PSA detection) is used for prostate cancer diagnosis, then diagnostic simplicity is maintained, but false positive rate increases and diagnostic accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoiddetection system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the diagnostic process into multiple independent detection channels within a single device, simultaneously detecting different prostate cancer markers (PSA, miRNA21, miRNA1246, let7b) through separate electrochemical reactions, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional sensing platform that can detect multiple types of prostate cancer markers (proteins and nucleic acids) using a unified electrochemical detection system, enabling comprehensive diagnosis without requiring multiple separate devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 non-invasive, fast, and accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer with improved stability and sensitivity in urine environments, reducing false positives and patient discomfort, and providing a reliable method for monitoring without invasive procedures.

Implementation Method 1

observing an electrical conductivity change in the biosensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity change: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20240002945A1Graphene-based biosensor and detection method using same

Publication Date: 2024.01.04 KOREA INST OF SCI & TECH

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a biosensor with surface-modified with reduced graphene oxide and a detection method using the same. The biosensor according to an aspect can effectively detect a target material in a urine sample, and thus, the use of the biosensor has an advantage in that prostate cancer can be diagnosed in a non-invasive, fast, and accurate manner.