Pneumatic Sensor Cover for Biological Sample Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analysis systems for biological samples face challenges in providing a simple, compact, stable, and cost-effective design for efficient, rapid, reliable, and precise testing, while ensuring reliable sealing of individual sensor array positions or fields.
Innovation Solution
A portable analysis system with a sensor arrangement featuring a flexible sensor cover that can be pneumatically actuated to seal and fluidically separate sensor fields, using a sensor apparatus with capture molecules for detecting analytes electrochemically, and a cartridge design that allows for easy integration with an analysis device for on-site testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid substrate with constant thickness is used for the sensor cover, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to seal and fluidically separate sensor fields is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor cover is designed as a flexible membrane that can dynamically change its shape and position. When actuated, the membrane deforms to seal against the sensor array, creating fluidic separation. This dynamic flexibility allows the same structure to provide both structural stability when flat and reliable sealing when deformed, resolving the contradiction between rigid stability and flexible sealing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a flexible membrane as the sensor cover instead of a rigid substrate. This thin film structure can conform to the sensor array surface and create effective seals through pneumatic actuation. The flexible nature of the membrane enables it to adapt to the sensor field geometry while maintaining structural integrity, thus achieving both stability and sealing reliability.
2Reliability
If a flexible membrane with variable thickness is used for the sensor cover, then sealing capability is improved, but manufacturing precision is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane is designed with intentional thickness variations that are controlled during manufacturing. The variable thickness profile is engineered to provide optimal sealing contact pressure distribution - thicker regions provide structural support while thinner regions enhance conformability and sealing contact. This controlled variability resolves the contradiction by making the thickness variation a functional feature rather than a manufacturing defect.
3Device complexity
If manual actuation of the sensor cover is used, then device complexity is reduced, but testing speed is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor cover actuation is achieved through pneumatic pressure applied to the flexible membrane. A simple pressure source can rapidly deform the membrane to seal the sensor fields, enabling fast testing cycles. This pneumatic approach maintains relatively simple device architecture while dramatically improving actuation speed compared to manual methods, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and speed.
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 system enables reliable and rapid actuation of the sensor cover, facilitating a compact and efficient testing process with precise detection of analytes, improving the reliability and accuracy of biological sample analysis.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor cover (117) can be actuated and/or lowered onto the sensor apparatus (113) preferably pneumatically
Implementation Method 2
a sensor apparatus (113) with capture molecules (M) for detecting analytes (A) electrochemically
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An analysis system and for testing a biological sample is proposed, wherein a sensor cover can be or is pneumatically lowered onto a sensor apparatus in order to detect an analyte of the sample.