Organic Electrochemical Sensor for Multi-Analyte Heart Failure Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current blood testing methods for heart failure rely on clinical chemistry in laboratories or point-of-care devices, which are not suitable for home monitoring and require multiple sensors for detecting multiple analytes, leading to high costs and complexity, and do not provide early indications for medication adjustments.

Innovation Solution

An organic electrochemical sensor with multiple functionalized channels and gates for simultaneous detection of four analytes in a single sample, including enzymatic, affinity, and ion recognition layers, allowing for compact, cost-effective, and sensitive monitoring of heart failure biomarkers without sample preparation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple individual OECTs with different functionalization are used to detect multiple analytes, then the detection capability for multiple analytes is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capability for multiple analytesVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple OECTs with different functionalizations into a single integrated sensor device. Multiple channels (C1-C4) are merged into one device structure, allowing simultaneous detection of multiple analytes (BNP, NT-proBNP, creatinine, creatine) in a single sample without requiring separate devices for each analyte.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor device achieves multi-functionality by incorporating channels with different recognition layers (affinity layers for BNP/NT-proBNP, enzymatic layers for creatinine/creatine) within a single device. This universal design allows one device to perform multiple detection functions that previously required separate specialized sensors.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple individual OECTs with different functionalization are used to detect multiple analytes, then the detection capability for multiple analytes is improved, but the manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capability for multiple analytesVSAvoidmanufacturing costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple detection channels into a single integrated sensor, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs compared to producing and integrating multiple separate OECT devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is segmented into multiple functional channels (C1-C4) with specific recognition layers, allowing modular manufacturing of channel components that can be integrated into a single device. This segmentation enables cost-effective production while maintaining multi-analyte detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If clinical chemistry in laboratories or point-of-care devices is used for blood testing, then the measurement precision is improved, but the ease of operation and accessibility for home monitoring deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor device enables patients to perform their own blood testing at home using a single drop of blood. The integrated design with multiple functional channels allows the device to automatically detect multiple analytes without requiring laboratory equipment or professional operation, making precision medical testing accessible to patients themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-functional sensor performs multiple analyte detections simultaneously in a single simple operation. Instead of requiring separate tests for different biomarkers, the universal sensor detects BNP, NT-proBNP, creatinine, and creatine together, maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability while simplifying the user process to a single blood drop application.

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

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

Enables remote, easy-to-use monitoring of heart failure biomarkers, reducing hospital visits by providing early indications for medication adjustments and minimizing manufacturing costs through compact sensor design.

Implementation Method 1

organic electrochemical sensor for the detection of analytes in a physiological sample

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction:

Implementation Method 2

enzymatic recognition layer configured to detect a target analyte by an enzymatic reaction with the sample

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzymatic reaction: Enzyme

Implementation Method 3

affinity recognition layer configured to detect a target analyte in the sample by a specific molecular binding with the sample

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAffinity binding:

Data Source

PatentEP4488672B1Organic electrochemical sensor with mutualized electrodes and method for measuring
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 OMINI
  • EP4488672B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4488672B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4488672B1 patent drawingFigure 5A

AI summary

The invention relates to an organic electrochemical sensor for the detection of analytes in a physiological sample, the sensor comprising at least three organic electrochemical transistors.