Porous Membrane Sensor with Optical Constriction for Whole Blood Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting analytes in complex fluids, such as whole blood, require complex sample preparation, are time-consuming, and often lead to inaccurate results due to interference from particulate fractions, making them unsuitable for miniaturized, automated point-of-care analyzers.
Innovation Solution
A sensor element with a translucent membrane and optical constriction element that allows selective detection of analytes in the continuous fluid fraction by confining optical probing to a defined region, using a reflective layer and optical ports to enhance sensitivity and prevent cross-talk, while preventing particulate fractions from entering the pores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional filtration and separation methods are used to prepare complex fluids for analysis, then particulate fractions are removed, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires large sample volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the necessary function (particle filtering) to the pore structure of the sensing membrane, eliminating the need for separate filtration steps. The membrane's pores naturally exclude particles above a certain size while allowing analytes to pass through, combining separation and detection functions into a single step that reduces analysis time while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the filtration function with the sensing membrane into a single integrated component. The porous structure of the membrane simultaneously performs particle exclusion and analyte detection, eliminating the need for separate filtration and analysis steps, thereby reducing both time and sample volume requirements while maintaining reliable measurements.
2Measurement precision
If optical probing is performed on the entire sensor surface, then detection coverage is maximized, but interference from particulates and cross-talk between input and output ports increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by confining the optical probing function to a specific region (probing region) on the sensor surface rather than the entire surface. The optical constriction element creates a localized detection zone where only the desired analyte signal is detected, while areas outside this region continue to perform particle exclusion without contributing to optical interference or cross-talk.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the sensor surface into distinct functional zones: a probing region for optical detection and surrounding areas for particle exclusion. The optical constriction element physically divides the optical path to ensure that only light interacting with analytes in the probing region reaches the detector, separating the detection function from the filtration function spatially to eliminate interference.
3Productivity
If the sensor element is designed for repetitive use, then resource efficiency increases, but complete washout of samples becomes difficult and cross-contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sample retention function from the membrane structure by using a non-adhesive pore surface that prevents sample proteins and cellular material from adhering to the membrane. This allows complete washout of samples between measurements, enabling repetitive use without cross-contamination while maintaining resource efficiency.
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 sensor element provides a fast, reliable, and sensitive detection of analytes in complex fluids, suitable for miniaturized systems, by enhancing optical probing sensitivity and reducing interference from particulates, enabling integration with automated analyzers for multiple-parameter measurements.
Implementation Method 1
at the front side of the translucent membrane, a reflective layer
Implementation Method 2
an optical constriction element, the constriction element comprising a screen element arranged between the input port and the output port, thereby optically separating the output port from the input port, the constriction element further comprising a reflective element arranged at the backside of the translucent membrane and facing towards the reflective layer at a vertical distance D therefrom, thereby defining a probing region in the translucent membrane, whereby light travelling from the input port to the output port is confined to pass through the probing region
Implementation Method 3
at least the probing region comprises pores extending from respective openings at the sensor surface into the translucent membrane
Implementation Method 4
The pores are for separating a fraction with a representative analyte concentration from the fluid sample by diffusion
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor element for detecting an analyte in a fluid sample by optical probing comprises a translucent membrane with a front side defining a sensor surface for contacting a fluid sample, and a back side facing away from the front side. The sensor element has a reflective layer at the front side of the translucent membrane. An optical input port and an optical output port are connected to the back side of the translucent membrane. The sensor element further comprises an optical constriction element with a screen element arranged between the input port and the output port. The constriction element further comprises a reflective element arranged at the backside of the translucent membrane and facing towards the reflective layer, thereby defining a probing region, the probing region comprising pores extending from respective openings at the sensor surface into the translucent membrane.