Sealed Sensor Head Layout for Multi-Parameter Biological Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor systems for measuring multiple parameters in biological environments are bulky and difficult to manufacture due to the need for multiple sensors and protection of electronics from liquids, leading to challenges in compactness and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A sensor head design featuring a substrate with multiple sensors connected by electrical conductors, protected by a cap with a protective element that allows exposure to biological materials while sealing off electronics, enabling compact and reliable measurement of multiple parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors are used for measuring multiple parameters, then measurement capability is improved, but device size becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensors are integrated onto a single substrate, merging multiple measurement functions into one compact sensor head. The substrate serves as a common platform for hosting multiple sensors, electrical conductors, and contacts, eliminating the need for separate sensor units for each parameter measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for sensors, electrical pathways through conductors, connection interfaces via contacts, and structural framework for the protective cap. This multi-functionality reduces the overall device volume by eliminating redundant structural elements.
2Reliability
If electronics are protected from biological liquids, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor head is segmented into distinct functional zones: a sensor area exposed to biological materials and an electronics area protected from them. The protective cap with its opening creates a clear separation between the liquid-exposed region and the electronics-containing region, allowing selective protection without enclosing the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective function is extracted as a separate component (the protective cap) that can be independently designed and attached to the substrate. This cap contains the opening that selectively exposes only the necessary sensor areas while protecting the electronics, simplifying the overall design by dedicating a specific component to the protection function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dies are used for sensor integration, then measurement capability is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensors are fabricated on a single substrate using standard semiconductor processing techniques, merging multiple sensor functions into one manufacturing process. This approach eliminates the need for assembling multiple separate dies, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the capability to measure multiple parameters.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
According to an aspect of the present inventive concept there is provided a sensor head for measurement of a biological material, the sensor head comprising: a substrate comprising: a plurality of sensors arranged in a sensor area at a surface of the substrate; electrical conductors connecting the plurality of sensors to contacts, wherein the electrical conductors are extending from the sensor area along the surface of the substrate to the contacts; a cap comprising a protective element for providing protection from the biological material, the protective element comprising: a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; walls extending from the first surface to the second surface, defining an opening through the protective element; wherein the second surface of the protective element, around the walls of the protective element, is sealed to the surface of the substrate at a position between the sensor area and the contacts such that the opening of the protective element is arranged above the sensor area for allowing the plurality of sensors to be exposed to the biological material.