Multi-Electrode Assay Wells With Auxiliary Reference Electrode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochemical assay systems face challenges with uncontrollable interfacial potentials in unreferenced systems and increased cost, complexity, and size in referenced systems, along with limited electrode addressability and slow read times.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an auxiliary electrode design with a redox couple that functions as both a counter and reference electrode, allowing for controlled potential and improved flexibility in electrode addressability, reducing system size and cost while enabling faster read times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a reference electrode is added to control interfacial potential, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the reference electrode and counter electrode into a single auxiliary electrode structure. The auxiliary electrode serves dual functions: providing a stable reference potential through its redox couple and acting as the counter electrode for current flow. This merging eliminates the need for separate reference and counter electrodes, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary electrode is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. It provides a stable reference potential (reference electrode function), conducts current (counter electrode function), and enables fast read times through its redox couple. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for multiple specialized electrodes while maintaining all required functionalities.
2Measurement precision
If a reference electrode is added to control interfacial potential, then measurement precision is improved, but system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the reference electrode and counter electrode into a single auxiliary electrode, the physical space required for two separate electrodes is reduced to one. This consolidation directly addresses the system size increase issue while maintaining the ability to control interfacial potential through the auxiliary electrode's redox couple.
3Measurement precision
If voltage ramping is used to control ECL generation, then measurement precision is improved, but read time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using the auxiliary electrode's redox couple to enable fast, controlled voltage pulses instead of slow voltage ramping. The redox couple allows for rapid establishment of the required potential difference, achieving both precise control over ECL generation and significantly reduced read times.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic voltage pulses rather than continuous voltage ramping. The auxiliary electrode's redox couple enables these pulsed operations to be executed rapidly and precisely, maintaining control over ECL generation while reducing the time required for each measurement cycle.
4Measurement precision
If multiple electrodes are used for assay analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the reference and counter electrodes into a single auxiliary electrode, the system reduces the number of electrodes that need to be individually addressed and controlled. This simplifies the operation and control architecture while maintaining the measurement precision benefits of having a stable reference potential and proper current flow path.
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 auxiliary electrode design provides stable interfacial potential, enabling efficient and fast electrochemical analysis by allowing for short voltage pulses, improving control over potential differences and reducing system complexity and size.
Implementation Method 1
The auxiliary electrode is configured with a redox couple that provides a stable interfacial potential
Implementation Method 2
assess a target entity by measuring electrical potential, electrical current, and/or luminance in a sample area containing the target entity that are caused by electrochemical process
Implementation Method 3
ECL immunoassay involves a process that uses ECL labels designed to emit light when electrochemically stimulated. Light generation occurs when a voltage is applied to an electrode
Data Source
AI summary
Electrochemical cells and methods for their production are provided. In particular, multi-well assay plates including multi-electrode wells are provided. The multi-electrode wells contain multiple electrodes that are electrically isolated from one another, permitting the various electrodes of the various wells to be addressed in any suitable combination.