Hydrophobic Inspection Substrate for Viscous Sample Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection devices face limitations in forming flow paths with hydrophobic materials while maintaining sufficient thickness and density for handling highly viscous or suspended targets, leading to issues like blockage and reduced precision.
Innovation Solution
A substrate with specific thickness (250-350 μm) and density (0.25-0.40×10^6 g/m^3) is used, impregnated with a hydrophobic material, forming a three-dimensional flow path with distinct hydrophobic and exposed portions, allowing for both flow path formability and target flowability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the substrate thickness is increased to improve handling strength, then paper strength is improved, but flowability of highly viscous inspection target is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the substrate thickness to a specific range (250-350 μm) to achieve the best balance between mechanical strength for handling and sufficient flowability for viscous targets. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal value that satisfies both requirements simultaneously.
2Strength
If the substrate density is increased to improve handling strength, then paper strength is improved, but flowability of highly viscous inspection target is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies an optimal density range (0.25-0.40×10^6 g/m³) for the substrate to balance mechanical strength and fluid flowability. By controlling density within this range, the substrate provides sufficient strength for handling while maintaining adequate flowability for highly viscous inspection targets.
3Reliability
If the amount of ink for impregnation is increased to improve impregnation performance, then impregnation performance is improved, but precision of flow path is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the impregnation amount to a specific range (15-20 g/m²) to achieve both good impregnation performance and precise flow path definition. This parameter control prevents excessive ink penetration that would blur flow path boundaries while ensuring sufficient impregnation for reliable operation.
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 solution enables effective inspection of highly viscous targets without blockage, ensuring precise detection of target substances like hormone components in milk, suitable for pregnancy tests.
Implementation Method 1
the substrate for the inspection device, impregnated with the hydrophobic material
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophobic material (ink) including a hydrophobic substance as the heat transfer medium
Implementation Method 3
the inspection target fluid flows through the fluid-receiving portion, the fluid flow path, and the fluid-flow portion in this order toward the detection confirmation portion due to capillary action
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a substrate for an inspection device. The substrate has an average thickness of 250 μm or greater and 350 μm or less, and a density of 0.25×106 g/m3 or greater and 0.40×106 g/m3 or less.