Programmable Biosensor Lids via Electrochemical Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biosensors with bioreceptors are limited by irreversible binding with analytes, leading to single-use devices and short shelf life due to oxidation and humidity exposure, and lack flexibility in adjusting assay conditions during operation.
Innovation Solution
A microfabricated chip with cavities and lids that can be electrochemically dissolved programmatically, exposing sensing components to external media for repeated use and flexible assay conditions, using electric circuit portions and masking material to control lid dissolution and maintain electrical integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bioreceptors are used to detect analytes, then sensing capability is improved, but the device becomes single-use due to irreversible binding and short shelf life due to oxidation and humidity exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into separate functional components: bioreceptors are confined within sealed cavities, isolated from the external environment. This segmentation allows the bioreceptors to maintain their sensing capability while being protected from degradation factors like oxidation and humidity, enabling both long shelf life and potential reusability
Solution Approach 2:
The cavities containing bioreceptors are sealed to create a protected environment that isolates the bioreceptors from harmful external factors such as oxygen and humidity. This inert environment preservation maintains bioreceptor stability and extends device shelf life without compromising sensing capability
2Device complexity
If flow paths are encoded on design level during microfabrication, then device structure is simplified, but flexibility in adjusting assay conditions during operation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates dynamic elements including programmable microfluidic pumps and controllable valves that allow flow paths and assay conditions to be adjusted during operation. The microfluidic system can be programmatically controlled to vary flow rates, timing, and liquid displacement volumes, providing operational flexibility while maintaining a relatively simple microfabricated structure
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional mechanical flow control components are replaced with programmable microfluidic actuation systems. This substitution enables precise control of assay conditions through electrical or magnetic fields, allowing flexible adjustment of flow parameters without adding complex mechanical moving parts to the microfabricated device structure
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
Enables reusable biosensors with extended shelf life and the ability to conduct multiple biosensing experiments with programmable assay conditions, enhancing portability and versatility in point-of-care diagnostics and environmental analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The lids are in contact with rims that delimit said cavities on said surface. Electric circuit portions join, each, a respective one of the lids, to allow the lids to be partly dissolved, electrochemically, when exposed to an electrochemical solution.
Implementation Method 2
masking material portions cover peripheral regions of the lids at the level of the rims, so as to seal the lids and shield such peripheral regions from said electrochemical solution, in operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor comprises a microfabricated chip having a surface with one or more cavities formed thereon, the cavities including sensing components, one or more lids, each covering said surface so as to close at least one of said cavities, the lids contacting rims that delimit said cavities on said surface. Electric circuit portions join, each, a respective one of the lids, to allow the lids to be partly dissolved, electrochemically, responsive to being exposed to an electrochemical solution. In addition, masking material portions cover peripheral regions of the lids at the level of the rims, so as to seal the lids and shield such peripheral regions from said electrochemical solution, in operation. Related apparatuses and sensing methods may be provided.