Radial Nanowire Electrode Sensor for Bodily Fluid Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensors have undesirably low sensitivity to analytes in bodily fluids, necessitating the development of more sensitive detection systems.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a sensor with a plurality of pairs of electrodes arranged radially around a center point, connected by nanowires, and a method involving the deposition of nanowires on a substrate with controlled evaporation and replenishment to enhance sensitivity, where electrodes are spaced appropriately to facilitate electrical communication through nanowires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional sensor configurations are used, then device complexity is low, but sensitivity to analytes is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensitivity to analytesVSAvoidsensor structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor is divided into multiple pairs of electrodes (at least ten pairs) arranged radially around a center point, with each pair connected by nanowires. This segmentation allows the sensor to achieve high sensitivity through multiple measurement points while maintaining a systematic, organized structure that manages complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electrodes are arranged in a radial configuration around a center point, transitioning from traditional linear or planar arrangements to a two-dimensional radial layout. This dimensional change increases the effective sensing area and improves analyte detection sensitivity while maintaining compact form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If electrodes are positioned closer together, then electrical communication is improved, but ionic interference from bodily fluids increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical communicationVSAvoidionic interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Nanowires with specific local properties (semiconductor material, controlled diameter of 5-50 nm, length 5-50 microns) are used to connect electrodes. The nanowires provide high electrical conductivity and signal amplification at the local level, enabling reliable electrical communication while the radial electrode arrangement maintains sufficient spacing to reduce ionic interference from bodily fluids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This configuration significantly improves the sensor's sensitivity to analytes, allowing for predictable resistivity and enhanced detection capabilities, particularly in bodily fluids with high ionic strength.

Implementation Method 1

The nanowire is in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

This configuration significantly improves the sensor's sensitivity to analytes, allowing for predictable resistivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoresistive effect: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11761917B2Sensor system and methods

Publication Date: 2023.09.19 NANODX INC

AI summary

Sensors having an advantageous design and methods for fabricating such sensors are generally provided. Some sensors described herein comprise pairs of electrodes having radial symmetry, pairs of nested electrodes, and/or nanowires. Some embodiments relate to fabricating electrodes by methods in which nanowires are deposited from a fluid contacted with a substrate in a manner such that it evaporates and is replenished.