Heat-shrinkable Biosensor for Signal Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional biosensors require signal-amplifying reagents to enhance detection sensitivity, increasing costs and complicating the detection process.

Innovation Solution

A biosensor using a heat-shrinkable film made of thermoplastic materials like polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, or polyethylene terephthalate glycol, with antigen molecules adsorbed onto the film, which undergoes thermal shrinkage to enhance signal detection without the need for signal-amplifying reagents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If signal-amplifying reagents are used to enhance detection sensitivity, then detection sensitivity is improved, but detection cost increases and detection process becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoiddetection process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the signal-amplifying reagent component from the detection system. Instead of using external amplifying reagents, the invention uses the heat-shrinkable film itself as the signal generation element, where thermal shrinkage directly produces the detection signal, thereby simplifying the detection process and reducing costs while maintaining sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat-shrinkable film acts as an intermediary element that converts the binding event between antigen and antibody into a thermal signal. The film's thermal shrinkage property mediates the conversion of molecular binding into a measurable signal, eliminating the need for separate signal-amplifying reagents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If signal-amplifying reagents are used to enhance detection sensitivity, then detection sensitivity is improved, but detection cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoiddetection cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The heat-shrinkable film is a low-cost, disposable component that replaces expensive signal-amplifying reagents. The film can be mass-produced at low cost and used once for detection, eliminating the need for costly reagents while maintaining detection sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and removes the expensive signal-amplifying reagent from the system, replacing it with the intrinsic thermal shrinkage property of the heat-shrinkable film, thereby reducing material costs while preserving detection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If surface area of biosensor is increased to increase antibody adsorption area, then detection sensitivity is enhanced, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidmanufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing overall surface area, the invention enhances the local quality of the film surface by using heat-shrinkable material with specific thermal properties. The thermal shrinkage creates localized signal amplification at the binding site, achieving high sensitivity without requiring large surface areas or complex structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the thermal parameter of the biosensor by using heat-shrinkable film. The thermal shrinkage response to antigen-antibody binding provides signal amplification without requiring increased surface area, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The biosensor achieves high sensitivity and effective molecule detection without signal-amplifying reagents, reducing costs and simplifying the detection process while maintaining enhanced signal strength through thermal shrinkage.

Implementation Method 1

a heat-shrinkable film made of a thermoplastic material shrinkable when heated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal shrinkage: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentUS20240310373A1Biosensor, method of making the same, and molecule detection method

Publication Date: 2024.09.19 SOUTHERN TAIWAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

AI summary

A biosensor, a method of making the same, and a molecule detection method for detecting target molecules comprises a heat-shrinkable film. The heat-shrinkable film is made of a thermoplastic material shrinkable when heated and a plurality of antigen molecules are adsorbed to the heat-shrinkable film. The method of making a biosensor involves the steps of: (a) providing a heat-shrinkable film made of a thermoplastic material shrinkable when heated; (b) providing an antigen solution, the antigen solution having a plurality of antigen molecules; and (c) soaking the heat-shrinkable film in the antigen solution for at least 10 minutes. The molecule detection method involves the steps of: (a) providing the biosensor; (b) providing a substance under detection and allowing the substance under detection to come into contact with the biosensor; and (c) detecting a signal outputted by the biosensor upon contact with the substance under detection.