Nonenzymatic Electrochemical Sensor for Wearable Multi-Analyte Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrochemical sensors rely on enzymes, which are selective for specific analytes, making them inflexible for detecting multiple analytes and are sensitive to washing and detergents, limiting their reusability and applicability, especially for hormones like those associated with the menstrual cycle.

Innovation Solution

A nonenzymatic electrochemical sensor system (ESS) with a nonselective electrode system comprising a working electrode, counter electrode, and reference electrode, modified with a nonenzymatic modifier to detect redox-active compounds at specific potentials, allowing for the detection of multiple analytes by varying the electric potential and being reusable and washable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If enzyme-based sensors are used to detect specific analytes, then detection selectivity is improved, but adaptability to detect multiple analytes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection selectivityVSAvoidadaptability to detect multiple analytes

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces enzyme-based selective sensors with a nonenzymatic electrochemical sensor that can detect multiple analytes including glucose, uric acid, and hydrogen peroxide using a single sensor system. The universal detection capability is achieved through nonenzymatic electrochemical reactions that do not rely on analyte-specific biological catalysts, allowing the same sensor to monitor different analytes by adjusting detection parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If enzyme-based sensors are used for analyte detection, then detection sensitivity is improved, but reusability deteriorates due to sensitivity to washing and detergents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidreusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes enzyme-based biochemical detection with nonenzymatic electrochemical detection. This replacement eliminates the fragility of biological enzymes to washing and detergents, while maintaining detection sensitivity through electrochemical reactions. The nonenzymatic sensor can be washed and reused without degradation, making it suitable for washable wearable applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If rigid planar substrates are used for electrochemical sensors, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to flexible wearable applications deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstrate fabrication precisionVSAvoidflexibility for wearable applications

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs flexible substrate materials such as flexible printed circuit boards (FPC), polyimide, and textile substrates to create bendable and stretchable electrochemical sensors. These flexible substrates maintain adequate manufacturing precision while enabling the sensor to conform to body surfaces and withstand mechanical deformation during wearable use, thus resolving the contradiction between fabrication precision and wearable flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 ESS can detect a wide range of redox-active compounds, is reusable, and can be used on various substrates, including flexible ones, providing a flexible and adaptable solution for monitoring multiple analytes without the need for enzyme-specific sensors.

Implementation Method 1

the WE can be modified with a suitable nonenzymatic modifier to achieve higher sensitivity. The nonenyzmatic electrode system can detect the amounts of various redox-active compounds in liquids at potentials specific to each compound.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRedox reactions: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

Conventional electrochemical sensors use amperometry, in which current is measured between working and counter electrodes, at a constant potential, applied between the working and reference electrodes.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20230072912A1Nonenzymatic electrochemical sensors

Publication Date: 2023.03.09 UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO

AI summary

There are provided nonselective, nonenzymatic electrochemical sensor systems for detection and/or measurement of a redox-active analyte in a liquid sample. Sensor systems comprise a nonenyzmatic electrode system having a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode, where the working electrode comprises a nonenzymatic modifier selected to increase sensitivity and/or selectivity of the working electrode for an analyte. Sensor systems are wearable, washable and reusable, and can be used for detection of multiple analytes in a sample.