Microfluidic Biosensor Nanoliter Sample Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biosensors require several microliters of blood for accurate testing, leading to pain and reduced patient compliance due to the difficulty in obtaining sufficient blood from less painful areas with fewer nerve endings but fewer surface blood vessels, resulting in incomplete or inaccurate tests.
Innovation Solution
The development of microfluidic devices with a base plate containing an electrode system, a hydrophilic porous material, a hydrophobic protective layer, and a cover that allows for minimal sample volume requirements, enabling accurate analyte measurement with a reduced sample volume, and methods for manufacturing and using these devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a lancet device is set for less pain by targeting areas with fewer nerve endings, then patient comfort is improved, but the volume of blood obtained is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of sample volume requirement from several microliters to nanoliters through microfabricated chamber dimensions (e.g., 10-100 micrometer scale features), enabling accurate analysis with minimal blood volume obtained from low-nerve-ending areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous materials with controlled pore sizes (e.g., porous polymer membranes with 0.01-10 micrometer pores) to enable efficient sample processing and analyte detection in the minimal blood volume obtained, maximizing measurement accuracy from reduced sample sizes
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the sample volume is reduced to minimize pain and improve compliance, then patient comfort is improved, but the capillary channel cannot fill properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the volume parameter from microliters to nanoliters and adjusts all related dimensional parameters (chamber size, channel dimensions, electrode spacing) to the micrometer scale, ensuring proper filling and reliable measurement with minimal sample volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses excessive surface area to volume ratio in the microfabricated chamber design, creating extensive capillary networks and porous material surfaces within the nanoliter volume to ensure complete sample interaction and reliable analyte detection despite the minimal sample size
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
These devices allow for accurate determination of analyte concentration in a small sample volume, reducing the need for excessive blood sampling and improving patient compliance by ensuring reliable test results with minimal sample intake.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophilic porous material which holds a liquid sample in contact with the base plate
Implementation Method 2
A hydrophobic protective layer is situated on the hydrophilic porous material, and a cover is placed on the hydrophobic protective layer
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides biosensor test devices for measuring the presence or amount of an analyte in a biological fluid. The devices have a base plate that has an electrode system embedded therein, and a hydrophilic porous material situated on the base plate. A hydrophobic protective layer is situated on the hydrophilic porous material, and a cover is placed on the hydrophobic protective layer to complete the device. Some embodiments also use an insulating layer, which can be situated between the base layer and the hydrophilic porous material. The cover of the device has an opening present therein, situated over the electrodes, so that the electrodes communicate with the exterior of the device through the groove. The insulating layer can also have a groove situated therein, which in one embodiment is placed to align with the groove in the cover. The invention also provides methods of manufacturing the devices, and methods of using them.