Integrated Optical Biosensor Chip With Signal Enhancement Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical biosensor devices are large, bulky, and unportable due to their separate components, which hinders their application in portable diagnostic tools for infectious diseases and cancer detection.
Innovation Solution
An optical biosensor integrated chip is developed, integrating a bioreaction device with an image sensor and incorporating an optical signal enhancement structure between the receptor layer and the photodetector, featuring a photodetector within a semiconductor layer, a color filter, micro-lens, and dielectric structure, enhancing signal detection and portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If optical biosensors are designed as separate devices for bioreaction and image sensing, then functional performance is maintained, but device size and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the bioreaction device and image sensor into a single integrated chip architecture. The bioreaction chamber with receptor layer is directly integrated with the photodetector array, eliminating the need for separate devices. This integration reduces overall device size and improves portability while maintaining functional performance through direct optical coupling between the bioreaction region and photodetector.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar, two-dimensional arrangement of separate devices to a three-dimensional stacked architecture. The receptor layer is positioned directly over the photodetector array with the optical signal enhancement structure in between, creating a vertical integration that reduces footprint area and enables portable applications.
2Measurement precision
If optical signal enhancement structure is added between receptor layer and photodetector, then sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical signal enhancement structure acts as an intermediary element positioned between the receptor layer and the photodetector. This intermediate structure optimizes the optical path, enhances the sensor optical radiation signal through refraction and reflection, and improves the signal-to-noise ratio. The enhancement structure serves as a mediator that transfers optical signals more efficiently from the bioreaction region to the photodetector.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical signal enhancement structure modifies optical parameters such as light intensity, direction, and wavelength distribution. By changing these optical parameters through controlled refraction and reflection, the structure enhances the signal reaching the photodetector and improves measurement precision without requiring complex additional components.
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 integration of components into a small form factor improves the portability and performance of the biosensor, enhancing sensitivity and accuracy by optimizing signal detection and reducing noise, thus enabling more effective detection of analytes.
Implementation Method 1
an optical signal enhancement structure disposed between the receptor layer and the photodetector
Implementation Method 2
an optical signal enhancement structure disposed between the receptor layer and the photodetector
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an integrated chip including a semiconductor layer and a photodetector disposed along the semiconductor layer. A color filter is over the photodetector. A micro-lens is over the color filter. A dielectric structure comprising one or more dielectric layers is over the micro-lens. A receptor layer is over the dielectric structure. An optical signal enhancement structure is disposed along the dielectric structure and between the receptor layer and the micro-lens.