Microelectrode Array Chip for Flexible Sample Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microfluidic chips are limited in flexibility and adaptability for temperature control during biomedical analyses, requiring fixed heating areas and are often customized for specific applications, hindering mass production and broad applicability.
Innovation Solution
A microelectrode device with a microfluidic electrode, heating electrode, and control circuit, including a temperature control circuit, storage circuit, and microfluidic control and location sensing circuit, allows for flexible temperature adjustment and adaptable operation for various examination procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional heating mechanisms (optical or heating boards) are used for thermal cycling, then temperature control can be achieved, but the heating area is fixed and additional feedback mechanisms are required, reducing flexibility and increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional optical or heating board mechanisms with a microelectrode array system that uses electrical signals for heating. Each microelectrode can be independently controlled through a scanning mechanism, eliminating the need for complex feedback systems while providing flexible temperature control across different heating areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic scanning mechanism that sequentially activates different microelectrodes based on required heating positions. This dynamic approach allows the heating area to be programmatically adjusted without physical reconfiguration, achieving adaptability while maintaining simple hardware architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional microfluidic chips are customized for specific fields or diseases, then specific examination requirements can be met, but mass production becomes infeasible and market limitation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal microfluidic chip platform with a standardized microelectrode array structure that can perform multiple examination functions. By programmatically controlling which microelectrodes are activated and how the fluid flows through the channel, the same physical chip can be adapted to different biomedical applications without customization, enabling mass production while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures the chip with a complete array of microelectrodes and a versatile microchannel structure during manufacturing. This preliminary setup allows the chip to be programmed for different applications through software control rather than physical modification, facilitating mass production of universal chips that can be adapted to specific uses.
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
Enables flexible temperature control and adaptable operation for diverse biomedical analyses, facilitating mass production and application across various fields and procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a heating electrode, arranged under the microfluidic electrode
Implementation Method 2
The microfluidic control and location sensing circuit detects a capacitance value between the top plate and the microfluidic electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A microelectrode device, microfluidic chip, and microfluidic examination method are provided. The microfluidic chip includes a top plate and a microelectrode dot array having several microelectrode devices. Each microelectrode device includes a microfluidic electrode, heating electrode, and control circuit. The control circuit includes a microfluidic control and location sensing circuit, storage circuit, and temperature control circuit. The microfluidic control and location sensing circuit moves a sample within an enabling period of a microfluidic control signal and detects a capacitance value between the microfluidic electrode and the top plate within an enabling period of a location control signal. The storage circuit outputs the capacitance value, reads in the sample operation setup, and reads in the heating control setup within different enabling periods of the clock. The temperature control circuit determines either on or off according to the heating control setup within an enabling period of a heating control signal.