Reduced Volume Electrochemical Sensor T-Shaped Aperture Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrochemical glucose detection strips require larger blood samples, leading to more painful lancing wounds due to the size and shape of the sample cell, necessitating a reduction in sample chamber volume without compromising measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a T-shaped aperture in the insulation layer, reducing the sample receiving chamber width and length by increasing the width and decreasing the length of the reference electrode, allowing the reagent layer to touch or overlap with the adhesive layer, thereby reducing the sample chamber volume while maintaining a stable reference/working electrode area ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the sample chamber volume is reduced to minimize blood sample requirements, then patient comfort improves (smaller lancing wounds), but maintaining accurate glucose measurement becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct regions within the sample chamber with different functions: the T-shaped aperture region provides enhanced reference electrode exposure for accurate measurement, while the overall chamber volume is minimized for patient comfort. The insulation layer's T-shaped aperture specifically exposes the reference electrode without requiring a large chamber volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional rectangular electrode layout to a T-shaped aperture configuration in the insulation layer. This dimensional change in the electrode exposure pattern allows the reference electrode to be properly exposed while maintaining a compact sample chamber volume, resolving the contradiction between chamber size and measurement accuracy.
2Volume of stationary object
If the reference electrode width is increased and length decreased to reduce sample chamber volume, then sample chamber size is reduced, but maintaining stable reference/working electrode area ratio becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the reference electrode by increasing its width and decreasing its length, while the T-shaped aperture in the insulation layer ensures the electrode area ratio is maintained. This parameter transformation allows volume reduction without compromising the electrochemical measurement stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the electrode configuration by using a T-shaped aperture rather than a symmetric rectangular layout. This asymmetric design allows the reference electrode to have optimized dimensions (wider and shorter) while maintaining the proper area ratio for accurate measurements in a reduced volume chamber.
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 results in a 14% decrease in sample receiving chamber length and a 32% reduction in width, minimizing blood sample volume required for testing while ensuring accurate glucose concentration measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophilic layer disposed on top of the adhesive to form a sample receiving chamber
Implementation Method 2
electrochemical strips for the detection of glucose
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochemical glucose sensor comprising a base substrate, a conductive layer disposed on said base substrate, where said conductive layer comprises a reference electrode and at least two working electrodes; an insulation layer disposed on a part of said conductive layer, a reagent layer disposed on said working electrodes and on at least a part of said reference electrode, an adhesive layer disposed on a portion of said reagent layer and conductive layer wherein said adhesive layer substantially defines an area of said reference electrode which can be wetted by a liquid sample and said insulation layer substantially defines an area of said working electrodes which can be wetted by a liquid sample.