Impedimetric Sensor Assembly with Through Holes for Analyte Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biological and chemical sensors face challenges in selectivity, sensitivity, and speed of measurement, particularly in biological sensing systems, due to interference from non-analyte species and the need for incubation periods, which limit the accuracy and speed of analyte detection in complex samples like blood or saliva.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a sensing layer featuring through holes and capture species that specifically bind with analytes, altering the impedimetric properties of the sensing layer, allowing for precise measurement of analyte properties through changes in impedance, capacitance, or permittivity, and enabling miniaturization without the need for reference electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional DC measurements (potentiometric or amperometric sensing) are used, then selectivity and sensitivity have improved over the past decades, but interference from non-analyte species (non-specific binding, absorption on sensing element surface) still limits measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional DC measurement methods (potentiometric or amperometric sensing) with AC impedance spectroscopy. This substitution of the measurement mechanism allows differentiation between specific analyte binding and non-specific interference through frequency-dependent impedance analysis, thereby maintaining high selectivity and sensitivity while reducing interference from non-analyte species.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs AC impedance spectroscopy that measures impedance across multiple frequencies rather than a single DC parameter. By analyzing the frequency-dependent impedance spectrum, the system can distinguish specific analyte-binding events from non-specific adsorption, improving measurement accuracy while maintaining sensitivity to analyte presence.
2Measurement precision
If incubation period is used for analyte binding, then binding specificity is achieved, but measurement speed is slowed down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous real-time monitoring of analyte binding through AC impedance spectroscopy measurements taken during the binding process. Rather than requiring a separate incubation period followed by a measurement step, the system continuously tracks impedance changes, allowing both specific binding to occur and be measured simultaneously, thereby improving measurement speed without sacrificing binding specificity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time impedance measurements to monitor binding kinetics and determine when sufficient specific binding has occurred. This feedback mechanism allows the measurement process to be optimized dynamically, reducing unnecessary incubation time while ensuring adequate specific binding, thus improving measurement speed without compromising binding specificity.
3Measurement precision
If sensing layer is made thicker to increase capture species capacity, then sensitivity is improved, but response time increases due to slower analyte diffusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous sensing layer structure that provides high capture species capacity while maintaining short diffusion paths for analytes. The porous architecture increases the surface area available for analyte binding (improving sensitivity) while the interconnected pore channels allow rapid analyte transport throughout the layer (maintaining fast response time), thus resolving the contradiction between sensitivity and response speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent distributes capture species throughout the volumetric structure of the porous sensing layer rather than concentrating them only on the surface. This local distribution ensures that analytes can bind to capture species at multiple locations within the layer, increasing overall sensitivity while maintaining short diffusion distances from the surface to binding sites, thereby preserving fast response times.
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 system provides a selective, sensitive, and flexible measurement platform for determining analyte properties, reducing interference from non-specific binding, enhancing accuracy, and allowing for faster measurements by utilizing through holes to differentiate analytes from other sample components and applying electric fields for sample manipulation.
Implementation Method 1
The sensing element provides a measurement signal which is indicative of a impedimetric property of the sensing layer
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 2D~2E
AI summary
The present disclosure provides systems and method for determining a property of an analyte in a sample, the systems and methods use a sensor assembly comprising a sensing layer provided with through holes and a capture species configured to specifically bind with the analyte. The capture species is located adjacent and/or in the through holes such that analyte bound to the capture species can interact with the through holes of the sensing layer so as to alter the impedimetric property of the sensing layer. The sensing element provides a measurement signal which is indicative of an impedimetric property of the sensing layer and/or the sensing element comprises an IDE with at least a part of the sensing layer provided between electrodes of the IDE.