Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Biosensor for Anesthetic Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for determining anesthetic concentration, such as liquid chromatography and GC-mass spectroscopy, are complex and time-consuming, and molecularly imprinted biosensors face challenges in withstanding necessary voltages for electrochemical detection.

Innovation Solution

A biosensor with two sensor electrodes having a metal layer and a molecularly imprinted polymer film is used, connected to a charge/discharge circuit with a discharge capacitor, applying a constant voltage and measuring varying voltages to determine anesthetic concentration by comparing characteristic parameters with reference data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional electrochemical biosensors are used for analyte detection, then electrochemical potential difference measurement is possible, but the conductive polymer film material must withstand high voltages sufficient to cause electrochemical oxidation-reduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalyte concentration detectionVSAvoidpolymer film stability under voltage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a charge/discharge circuit with a capacitor as an intermediary between the voltage source and the biosensor. This circuit charges the capacitor to a predetermined voltage, then disconnects and discharges it through the biosensor. The capacitor acts as a buffer, delivering the necessary voltage for measurement while protecting the polymer film from continuous high voltage exposure that would cause degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic charge and discharge cycles instead of continuous voltage application. The biosensor is subjected to repeated alternating cycles of charging (voltage application) and discharging (voltage removal), which allows measurement to be performed while giving the polymer film recovery time between high voltage stress events, thereby maintaining long-term stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If liquid chromatography and GC-mass spectroscopy are used for anesthetic concentration detection, then accurate measurement is achieved, but the process becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanesthetic concentration measurementVSAvoiddetection speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical and chemical separation systems (liquid chromatography columns, GC systems) with an electrochemical biosensor system. The molecularly imprinted polymer provides selective recognition of anesthetics through molecular imprinting, eliminating the need for complex separation apparatus while maintaining detection accuracy and significantly reducing analysis time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The molecularly imprinted polymer is pre-prepared with specific binding sites for anesthetic molecules during the imprinting process. This preliminary creation of recognition sites allows direct detection without requiring sample preparation steps like extraction, filtration, or separation that are necessary in conventional chromatographic methods, thereby accelerating the detection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method allows for accurate and efficient determination of anesthetic concentration using molecularly imprinted polymer biosensors, overcoming the limitations of conventional detection methods by providing a rapid and precise measurement process.

Implementation Method 1

a molecularly imprinted polymer film formed on the metal layer, said molecularly imprinted polymer film being imprinted by a template molecule to form a plurality of molecular recognition cavities for capturing molecules of the anesthetic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMolecular imprinting:

Implementation Method 2

connecting a charge/discharge circuit to the biosensor that has been exposed to the solution, the charge/discharge circuit including a discharge capacitor coupled between the sensor electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS8858780B2Biosensor and method for determining an analyte concentration

Publication Date: 2014.10.14 NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY

AI summary

A method of determining an analyte concentration employs a biosensor that includes a molecularly imprinted polymer film formed on a metal layer. The biosensor is connected to a charge/discharge circuit and charged and discharged during exposure to a solution containing an analyte. Voltage values during discharge are measured, and a characteristic parameter of the voltage values, which is associated with a concentration of the analyte detected by the biosensor, is determined. An unknown concentration of the analyte is determined by comparing the characteristic parameter to reference data representing a relation between known concentration of the analyte and the characteristic parameter of the biosensor. A biosensor, such as an anesthetic biosensor, is also disclosed.