Integrated Reference Electrode Fluid Dispenser Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current biosensors face challenges in accurately delivering fluids and maintaining reference electrode alignment, which affects the precision of biochemical assays, particularly in label-free detection of biomolecules like DNA and antigens, requiring improved fluid delivery systems and integrated reference electrodes for precise potential application.
Innovation Solution
An integrated reference electrode and fluid dispenser system that aligns the fluid dispenser with the reference electrode, ensuring fluidic contact and applying a stable potential, reducing the need for additional cleaning steps and enhancing assay precision by delivering precise droplets for biochemical assays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If separate reference electrode and fluid dispenser systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment precision and fluid delivery accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reference electrode and fluid dispenser into a single integrated assembly. The reference electrode is positioned within the fluid dispenser structure, allowing simultaneous fluid delivery and potential application to the sensor surface. This integration ensures precise alignment between the fluid delivery path and the electrode, eliminating alignment errors that would occur with separate systems.
2Measurement precision
If additional cleaning steps are implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated reference electrode and fluid dispenser system performs self-cleaning through its design. The fluid delivery mechanism inherently rinses the electrode surface during normal operation, eliminating the need for separate cleaning steps. This self-cleaning capability maintains measurement precision while preserving assay throughput and productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If fluid delivery precision is increased, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the reference electrode within the fluid dispenser structure, the system achieves precise fluid delivery and simultaneous potential application through a single unified mechanism. The electrode is positioned at the outlet or within the dispensing path, ensuring that fluid delivery precision automatically translates to precise potential application without requiring additional independent control systems.
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
This system enhances the accuracy and efficiency of biochemical assays by ensuring precise fluid delivery and self-cleaning of the reference electrode, improving the detection of biomolecules like DNA and antigens without the need for additional cleaning steps.
Implementation Method 1
delivering a droplet of the fluid sample in fluidic contact with the tip of the reference electrode and associated with a known potential determined by the reference electrode
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including an integrated reference electrode and a fluid dispenser is described. The reference electrode includes a body and a tip. The fluid dispenser at least partially surrounds the tip of the reference electrode and includes an inlet, a chamber, and an outlet. The fluid dispenser is configured to receive a fluid sample from the inlet to the chamber and form a droplet of the fluid sample through the outlet so that the droplet is in fluidic contact with the tip of the reference electrode and associated with a known potential determined by the reference electrode.