Optical Biosensor with Porous Substrate for Rapid Wound Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current diagnostic tools for detecting bioanalytes associated with diseases or wound status are often time-consuming, expensive, and require expert interpretation, and lack sensitivity and selectivity, particularly in the management of chronic wounds where rapid, responsive, and cost-effective detection methods are needed.

Innovation Solution

An optical biosensor using a porous silicon or alumina substrate with a detection agent comprising a sensing domain and a signaling domain, where the sensing domain includes a linker capable of interacting with the target bioanalyte, and the signaling domain features a luminescence donor and acceptor that are optically coupled, allowing for enhanced light emission indicative of bioanalyte presence, integrated with light interacting pores for improved detection sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional diagnostic tools (ELISA, radiolabel assays) are used to detect bioanalytes, then detection accuracy is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/chemical assay methods (ELISA, radiolabel assays) with an optical detection system. The biosensor uses optical fields to detect bioanalytes through changes in light emission properties, eliminating the need for time-consuming chemical reactions and manual processing steps while maintaining high detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs fluorescence emission changes as a detection mechanism. When the detection agent binds to the target bioanalyte, the fluorescence emission intensity or wavelength changes, providing a rapid visual or instrumentally detectable signal that eliminates long incubation and processing times required by traditional methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Measurement precision

If traditional diagnostic tools are used, then detection sensitivity can be achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidtechnical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal biosensor platform that can detect multiple different bioanalytes by simply changing the detection agent (antibody or aptamer) while keeping the optical detection system unchanged. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate specialized assays for each analyte.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an optical field as an intermediary between the biological recognition event (antigen-antibody binding) and the detection system. This optical intermediary provides a direct, real-time signal without requiring complex secondary detection steps, thereby simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining high sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If conventional wound assessment methods are used, then comprehensive evaluation is possible, but nursing time and operational resources are excessively consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassessment accuracyVSAvoidnursing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the wound to essentially self-report its status through the biosensor. The detection agent in the dressing automatically binds to bioanalytes present in the wound exudate and generates an optical signal that directly indicates wound condition, eliminating the need for nurses to perform complex manual assessments while maintaining reliable evaluation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual nursing assessment procedures with an automated optical detection system integrated into the wound dressing. This substitution allows continuous monitoring without requiring nursing time for regular examinations, significantly improving productivity while maintaining or enhancing assessment reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 optical biosensor provides a fast, sensitive, and selective detection method for bioanalytes, enabling real-time monitoring of wound status and disease markers, with enhanced detection limits and reduced complexity, suitable for point-of-care applications and integration into wound dressings.

Implementation Method 1

the luminescence donor and the luminescence acceptor are connected by the linker and are optically coupled in the absence of the target bioanalyte such that emission of light from the luminescence donor is substantially quenched by the luminescence acceptor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFörster resonance energy transfer (FRET):

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of light interacting pores on the surface of the substrate, wherein the pores are configured to interact with the light emission from the luminescence donor to provide a measurable light emission which is indicative of the presence of the target bioanalyte

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission enhancement through porous substrate interaction:

Data Source

PatentEP3155406B1Optical biosensor
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 VOELCKER NICOLAS HANS
  • EP3155406B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3155406B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(j)
  • EP3155406B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

The present invention provides an optical biosensor for detecting a target bioanalyte in a sample. The biosensor comprises: a porous silicon or alumina substrate comprising a surface and a detection agent immobilised on the surface, the detection agent comprising a sensing domain and a signaling domain, the sensing domain comprising a linker capable of interacting with the target bioanalyte and the signaling domain comprising a luminescence donor and a luminescence acceptor wherein the luminescence donor and the luminescence acceptor are connected by the linker and are optically coupled in the absence of the target bioanalyte such that emission of light from the luminescence donor is substantially quenched by the luminescence acceptor, and interaction of the target bioanalyte with the linker results in optical un-coupling of the luminescence donor and the luminescence acceptor to thereby result in light emission from the luminescence donor; and a plurality of light interacting pores on the surface of the substrate, wherein the pores are configured to interact with the light emission from the luminescence donor to provide a measurable light emission which is indicative of the presence of the target bioanalyte.