Photoelectrochemical Electrical Continuity Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for testing electrical continuity or impedance in small medical and microelectrodes are prone to damage and are time-consuming, especially when dealing with devices having thousands of electrodes, as they require physical contact and sensitive electronics, making them costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A photoelectrochemical (PEC) testing system that uses a light source to induce a PEC effect at an interface between an electrolyte and a conductive path, allowing for non-invasive measurement of electrical continuity or impedance without direct physical contact, utilizing a fluidic channel to dispense an electrolyte and a detection system to measure voltage or current, which is effective for sub-micron diameter contacts and scalable for large numbers of devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional physical contact methods are used to test electrical continuity, then measurement precision can be achieved, but the small electrodes (below 100 μm) are at risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using a microelectrode array that can be positioned near the small electrodes without direct contact. The array acts as a mediator to deliver test signals and collect responses, enabling electrical continuity measurement while avoiding mechanical damage to the fragile sub-100 μm electrodes through non-contact or minimal-contact interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical probe contact with an optical or electrical field-based measurement system. By substituting physical mechanical contact with non-contact sensing mechanisms, the system achieves electrical continuity measurement of small electrodes without the harmful mechanical stress that would otherwise damage structures below 100 μm in size.
2Measurement precision
If conventional impedance measurement devices are used, then electrical continuity can be tested, but the measurement process takes 2-12 seconds per frequency, making it cost prohibitive for commercial applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by using alternating current signals at multiple frequencies simultaneously or in rapid succession. This allows the system to gather impedance information across a frequency spectrum much faster than conventional single-frequency measurements, reducing test time from seconds to milliseconds while maintaining measurement precision through multi-frequency analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by maintaining continuous signal transmission and reception during the measurement process. Rather than sequential slow measurements, the system continuously monitors electrical responses across multiple frequencies simultaneously, keeping the measurement process active and rapid, thereby achieving both high precision and high productivity.
3Measurement precision
If specialized probes and sensitive electronics are used for testing small electrodes, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional microelectrode array that can serve multiple purposes: delivering test signals, collecting electrical responses, and potentially providing therapeutic stimulation. This single array structure performs multiple functions that would otherwise require separate specialized equipment, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a simplified digital model or representation of the electrical characteristics being measured. Instead of requiring complex physical probes for every measurement point, the system uses computational algorithms to process and interpret electrical responses, creating virtual measurements that reduce the need for physically complex specialized probes while maintaining measurement accuracy.
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 PEC testing system provides a quick, reliable, and cost-effective means to verify electrical continuity or detect discontinuities in electronic devices, including those with small electrodes, reducing damage risk and enabling efficient testing of thousands of devices without the need for specialized probes, while being sensitive to defects like opens and short-circuits.
Implementation Method 1
A light source is configured to irradiate the electrolyte-conductive path interface. The irradiation induces a photoelectrochemical (PEC) effect at the interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A test system for medical devices that does not require physical contact with an electrical site along a conductive path is described. Not having to physical contact an electrical site while performing an electrical continuity test avoids potential damage to the site. The test system includes a fluidic channel that dispenses an electrolytic solution onto a first electrical site on the conductive path. A light source irradiates the first site to thereby induce a photoelectrochemical (PEC) effect at an interface thereof. The PEC effect produces a change in both the potential (i.e., voltage) and current carrying ability in the conductive path. That voltage or current is measured at a second site to determine whether there is electrical continuity or discontinuity between the sites on the conductive path.