Graphene Varactor Sensor for Early Health Condition Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting health conditions, such as disease states, are limited by the need for large sample sizes, require costly equipment, and often cannot provide timely results until significant damage has occurred, making them inefficient for early detection and monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a biological sample placed in a container with a headspace, where gases are contacted with discrete graphene varactors to sense and store capacitance data, allowing for classification of health conditions and identification of appropriate therapies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If large sample sizes are used for detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but sample availability and patient comfort deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsample size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the detection approach by changing the parameter being measured from direct metabolite concentration in bulk samples to VOC composition in headspace gas. This parameter transformation enables accurate disease state detection using minimal biological material, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and sample size requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts volatile organic compounds from the biological sample by allowing them to evaporate into the headspace of the container. This extraction method concentrates the relevant detection targets (VOCs) in the gas phase above the sample, enabling accurate detection without requiring large quantities of the original biological material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If costly equipment is used for detection, then detection capability is improved, but accessibility and cost-effectiveness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidcost-effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical detection systems (such as mass spectrometers or gas chromatographs) with an electrochemical sensor system that uses discrete graphene varactors. This substitution maintains high detection capability while dramatically reducing equipment cost and complexity, improving accessibility for widespread use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs discrete graphene varactors as the sensing material, utilizing the unique properties of graphene (high surface area, excellent electrical conductivity, and sensitivity to molecular adsorption). This composite material approach achieves detection performance comparable to expensive equipment while using lower-cost materials and simpler device architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If early detection is implemented, then patient outcome is improved, but detection timing and disease progression deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient outcomeVSAvoiddetection timing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary detection of disease states by identifying characteristic VOC profiles before significant clinical symptoms or damage occur. The system performs detection actions in advance by continuously monitoring VOC emissions from biological samples, allowing early intervention before disease progression causes irreversible harm

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements continuous monitoring of VOC emissions from biological samples, maintaining constant detection capability rather than periodic testing. This continuous action ensures that disease state changes are detected immediately as they occur, enabling timely response and maintaining optimal patient outcomes through uninterrupted surveillance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 early detection and monitoring of health conditions using small biological samples, facilitating timely intervention and reducing the need for costly equipment, while providing accurate classification for treatment decisions.

Implementation Method 1

sensing and storing capacitance of the discrete graphene varactors to obtain a sample data set

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

contacting a gas from the headspace with a chemical sensor element, the chemical sensor element including one or more discrete graphene varactors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS20240255391A1Systems and methods for detecting a health condition

Publication Date: 2024.08.01 REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

AI summary

Embodiments herein include a method for detecting a health condition of a subject. The method can include obtaining a biological sample from the subject and placing it into a container having a headspace surrounding the biological sample. The method can include contacting a gas from the headspace with a chemical sensor element, the chemical sensor element including one or more discrete graphene varactors. The method can include sensing and storing capacitance of the discrete graphene varactors to obtain a sample data set. Other embodiments are also included herein.