Laterally Insertable Electrodes in Microfluidic Biosensing Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microfluidic devices for biosensing require electrodes that are costly to fabricate, prone to breakage, and need a form factor suitable for portability while ensuring safety and leak-free assembly, with challenges in replacing fragile electrodes and maintaining a high-quality reference electrode without electrolyte evaporation.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device design with laterally inserted electrodes that are removably and slidably configured within conduits, featuring a hydrophobic coating to prevent liquid leakage, and a capillary sample collection mechanism that allows for easy integration and replacement of electrodes, ensuring safety and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If electrodes are integrated into the microfluidic device during fabrication, then the device structure is compact and integrated, but the electrodes are costly to fabricate and difficult to replace if broken
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: the microfluidic chip and the electrodes are independent elements that can be manufactured separately and then assembled together through lateral insertion into conduits, reducing overall fabrication complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The electrodes are extracted from the integrated fabrication process and made as separate replaceable components, allowing them to be manufactured independently and inserted laterally into the microfluidic device through dedicated conduits
2Reliability
If electrodes are laterally inserted into the microfluidic device, then the electrodes are less prone to breakage and easier to replace, but the device structure becomes more complex with additional conduits
Solution Approach 1:
The electrodes are inserted into hollow conduits that are integrated within the microfluidic chip structure, creating a nested configuration where the electrode fits inside the conduit, protecting it while maintaining a compact overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of inserting electrodes vertically or integrating them planarly, the invention uses lateral insertion through conduits, adding a third dimensional aspect to the electrode integration that simplifies replacement while maintaining structural compactness
3Shape
If the microfluidic device is made flat and planar for portability, then the device is suitable for wearable applications, but sample collection becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses vertical through-channels that penetrate the planar substrate, allowing sample collection from the top surface while maintaining a flat overall device shape suitable for wearable applications
Solution Approach 2:
A porous support layer is introduced as an intermediary between the sample source and the microchannel, enabling efficient sample collection through capillary action while maintaining the flat device structure
4Ease of manufacture
If standard electrodes are used in the microfluidic device, then the device is easier to assemble, but electrolyte evaporation from the reference electrode becomes a problem
Solution Approach 1:
The reference electrode is nested within a sealed cavity in the substrate, with the cavity closed at the bottom and the electrode inserted through a sealed conduit, preventing electrolyte evaporation while allowing easy assembly with standard electrodes
Solution Approach 2:
The reference electrode cavity is pre-sealed with a hydrophobic coating or gasket before electrode insertion, preventing electrolyte leakage and evaporation from occurring during device 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 design enhances the safety and durability of microfluidic devices by allowing easy electrode replacement, reducing fabrication costs, and maintaining a leak-free assembly while effectively collecting and analyzing samples without electrolyte evaporation.
Implementation Method 1
The conduits are configured so as to allow insertion of one or more electrodes therein, respectively... featuring a hydrophobic coating to prevent liquid leakage
Implementation Method 2
the microchannel extends, at another end, from an area on a main surface of the substrate, which area includes a medium configured so as to capillary pull a sample from the microchannel
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is notably directed to a microfluidic device. The device comprises a substrate with a microchannel formed as a groove on a main surface of the substrate. The device further comprises one or more conduits extending parallel to the main surface of the substrate, and from a lateral surface of the substrate up to a lateral wall of the microchannel. The one or more conduits are configured so as to allow insertion of one or more electrodes therein, respectively, and such that an end of each of the one or more electrodes can reach into the microchannel. The invention is further directed to related sets of components, which include the above microfluidic device, as well as a housing, with electronics, and, possibly, a porous support (e.g., a membrane) and a cap. Biosensing applications are notably contemplated. The invention is further directed to methods of operating a microfluidic device.