Parallel Transistor Biological Detecting Chip for Rapid Microorganism Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional biological detection methods are complex, time-consuming, and lack sensitivity, requiring lengthy cultivation processes and being prone to human error, especially when detecting microorganisms like bacteria.

Innovation Solution

A biological detecting chip with multiple transistors connected in parallel, featuring a substrate layer, floating gate, and biological detecting layer with probes such as DNA, antibodies, or aptamers, which allows for parallel detection of organisms by measuring changes in gate voltage and drain current, enabling rapid and sensitive analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional biological detection methods using antibodies and antigens are used, then detection can be performed, but the detecting steps become complicated and results are easily affected by human factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoiddetection process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual biological detection operations with an automated transistor-based sensing system. The biological detecting layer captures target organisms, and the transistor circuit automatically measures gate voltage and drain current changes, eliminating manual color reaction analysis and reducing human factor interference while improving detection reliability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The transistor structure performs self-measurement by automatically detecting electrical parameter changes (gate voltage and drain current) caused by target organism capture. The system eliminates the need for external manual analysis, as the transistor inherently converts biological binding events into measurable electrical signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If conventional cultivation methods are used for bacterial detection, then bacterial purification and quantity increase are achieved, but the detection time becomes extremely long (24-72 hours for cultivation, up to two weeks for specific strain determination)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddetection time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the transistor's inherent signal amplification capability to detect target organisms directly in the sample without requiring preliminary cultivation steps. The transistor structure amplifies the electrical signal from individual captured organisms, enabling direct detection that achieves both high accuracy and rapid results simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from visual/color-based analysis to electrical parameter measurement (gate voltage and drain current). This parameter change enables direct detection of target organisms without cultivation, reducing detection time from weeks to minutes while maintaining accuracy through the transistor's sensitive electrical measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If conventional detection methods are used, then detection can be performed, but sensitivity is low especially for lower target concentrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidquantitative analysis capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective visual color reaction analysis with objective electrical parameter measurement using transistors. The transistor's electrical measurement system provides quantitative data on gate voltage and drain current changes, enabling sensitive detection of low target concentrations with automatic quantitative analysis capability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses multiple transistors connected in parallel, each with its own biological detecting layer. This segmentation allows individual measurement of each transistor's response, enabling sensitive detection of low target concentrations through aggregated signal from multiple parallel sensing elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional detection methods are used, then detection can be performed, but the operation complexity increases and requires completely different processes for different test requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection method flexibilityVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal detection platform where the same transistor-based chip structure can detect different target organisms by simply changing the biological detecting layer. This multi-functional design maintains operational simplicity while achieving high adaptability, as users only need to replace the biological layer rather than learn entirely different detection procedures.

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

This approach simplifies and accelerates biological detection, improving sensitivity and convenience by allowing for diverse species detection without altering the platform structure, reducing detection time, and enhancing the stability and lifespan of the chip.

Implementation Method 1

The biological detecting layer is disposed on the extending gate and the biological detecting layer includes a plurality of biological probes. The biological detecting layer combined with the plurality of transistors forms a biological detecting area on a surface of the biological detecting chip.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBiological probe binding: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

measuring changes in gate voltage and drain current, enabling rapid and sensitive analysis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4033236A1Biological detecting chip and biological detecting method
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 SUNPLUS TECH CO LTD
  • EP4033236A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4033236A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4033236A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A biological detecting chip and a biological detecting method are disclosed. The biological detecting chip (1) includes a plurality of transistors (T1-Tn) in parallel. Each of the transistors includes a substrate layer (SB), a floating gate (FG), an extending gate (EG) and a biological detecting layer. The substrate layer includes a shared source (S), a shared drain (D) and a channel area. The floating gate is disposed on the channel area. The floating gate includes a poly oxide layer (PL) to extend to an extending metal connect (MT). The extending gate is disposed on the extending metal connect and is electrically connected to the floating gate. The biological detecting layer is disposed on the extending gate. The biological detecting layer includes a plurality of biological probes. The biological detecting layer of the transistors forms a plurality of biological detecting area on the surface of the biological detecting chip.