Porous Membrane Sensor Surface for Particle Immobilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methodologies for constructing biosensor surfaces are complex and require fluids and materials to match printer requirements, limiting the application of genetically engineered sensing particles and increasing costs.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using a porous membrane with pores smaller than sensing particles to immobilize and concentrate these particles on a surface, allowing for simplified construction of sensor surfaces without the need for chemical crosslinking or surface chemistry, enabling the use of various fluid types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If printing technologies and surface chemistries are used to fix biosensors on sensor surfaces, then biosensors can be mounted on surfaces, but the process becomes complex and requires fluids to match printer requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of sensor surface constructionVSAvoidcomplexity of construction methodology

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sensing particles from the complex fluid matrix and immobilizes them directly on the membrane surface through physical confinement in pores, eliminating the need for printing technologies and surface chemistries. This separation of the sensing particle immobilization from the fluid matrix simplifies the construction process while maintaining sensor functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The porous membrane acts as an intermediary structure that physically confines sensing particles on its surface while allowing fluid passage. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for chemical crosslinking and surface chemistry modifications, providing a simple physical mechanism for particle immobilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If chemical crosslinking and surface chemistry are applied to immobilize sensing particles, then particles can be fixed on surfaces, but the process becomes more complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of sensing particle immobilizationVSAvoidcomplexity of immobilization process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical immobilization mechanisms (crosslinking and surface chemistry) with a physical confinement mechanism using porous membrane pores. The mechanical structure of the membrane physically traps sensing particles on its surface, achieving reliable immobilization without complex chemical processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If sensing particles are suspended in complex fluids, then sensing can occur in real samples, but particles may escape from the sensing surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to sense in complex fluidsVSAvoidretention of sensing particles on surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The porous membrane functions as a thin film structure that provides physical confinement for sensing particles. The membrane's pore structure allows it to retain particles on the surface while permitting fluid passage, enabling sensing in complex fluids without particle escape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes porous membrane material with specific pore sizes that provide physical confinement for sensing particles. The porous structure allows the membrane to selectively retain particles while permitting fluid flow, enabling versatile sensing applications with reliable particle retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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

Facilitates the formation of sensor surfaces in a simplified and cost-effective manner, allowing for parallel sensing of multiple analytes and eliminating the need for chemical crosslinking, while maintaining the sensing particles on the surface.

Implementation Method 1

a physical confinement may be facilitated by separating the sensing particles, such as whole-cell biosensor cells, from the sample fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical confinement: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

providing a membrane comprising a plurality of pores, each of the plurality of pores has a pore size smaller than the sensing particle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSize-exclusion: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

pushing the buffer fluid through the membrane to immobilize and/or to concentrate the sensing particle on the first surface of the membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConcentration:

Data Source

PatentUS20250387787A1Method and system for constructing sensor surface and usage thereof

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 STICHTING IMEC NEDERLAND

AI summary

A method and system for constructing a sensor surface is provided. The method may method include providing a buffer fluid comprising at least one sensing particle. The method may further include providing a membrane comprising a plurality of pores, each of the plurality of pores having a pore size smaller than the sensing particle. The method may also include arranging the membrane in relation to the buffer fluid such that a first surface of the membrane being in fluidic contact with the buffer fluid. Further, the method may include pushing the buffer fluid through the membrane to immobilize the sensing particle on the first surface of the membrane.