Piezoelectric Biosensor Structure for Low-Cost Point-of-Care Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional biosensors, such as spectrophotometers, are costly to manufacture and operate due to expensive components and require time-intensive testing procedures, making them unsuitable for Point-of-Care (PoC) applications.

Innovation Solution

A piezoelectric biosensor is developed, comprising a piezoelectric structure on a semiconductor substrate with electrodes and a sensing reservoir, which analyzes bio-entities by varying electrical properties in response to bio-entity presence, reducing manufacturing and operational costs and enabling smaller form factor for PoC use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional biosensors (spectrophotometers) are used, then detection capability is achieved, but manufacturing cost and operational cost are high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional optical detection systems with a piezoelectric-based detection system. The piezoelectric structure converts mechanical stress from bio-entity binding events into electrical signals, eliminating the need for expensive optical components such as light sources, detectors, and complex optical paths found in spectrophotometers. This substitution dramatically reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the detection parameter from optical properties (absorbance, transmittance) to electrical properties (capacitance, impedance). By measuring electrical parameter changes in the piezoelectric structure that result from bio-entity binding, the system achieves comparable detection sensitivity with significantly simpler and cheaper hardware architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional biosensors are used, then detection is achieved, but testing procedure time is long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidtesting procedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The replacement of optical measurement systems with piezoelectric-based electrical measurement systems enables faster data acquisition. Electrical signals from piezoelectric structures can be read out rapidly and continuously without the mechanical limitations of optical systems, thereby reducing the overall testing procedure time while maintaining accurate detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If piezoelectric biosensor is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but device complexity changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The piezoelectric biosensor is divided into distinct functional modules: a piezoelectric structure layer, a sensing reservoir layer, and electrode contacts. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and fabricated using standard semiconductor processing techniques, simplifying manufacturing despite the novel piezoelectric functionality. The modular design enables parallel fabrication and assembly, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Volume of moving object

If piezoelectric biosensor is used, then form factor is reduced, but detection precision must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveform factorVSAvoiddetection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The piezoelectric biosensor utilizes thin-film piezoelectric structures deposited on semiconductor substrates. These thin films provide sufficient piezoelectric response for sensitive detection while occupying minimal volume. The thin-film architecture enables the sensor to maintain high detection precision in a compact form factor suitable for point-of-care applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 piezoelectric biosensor lowers analysis costs and time by using a semiconductor substrate, providing an inexpensive and efficient method for detecting bio-entities, suitable for PoC applications with simplified testing procedures.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric structure disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode... an electrical property of the piezoelectric biosensor varies as the number of bio-entities in the sensing reservoir varies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12029130B2Piezoelectric biosensor and related method of formation

Publication Date: 2024.07.02 TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO LTD

AI summary

In some embodiments, a piezoelectric biosensor is provided. The piezoelectric biosensor includes a semiconductor substrate. A first electrode is disposed over the semiconductor substrate. A piezoelectric structure is disposed on the first electrode. A second electrode is disposed on the piezoelectric structure. A sensing reservoir is disposed over the piezoelectric structure and exposed to an ambient environment, where the sensing reservoir is configured to collect a fluid comprising a number of bio-entities.