Self-Powered Analyte Sensor Using Localized Fuel Cell
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable electronic systems in animals require external batteries, which are larger than the sensors due to the need for cases, seals, and membranes, making miniaturization difficult and costly, and existing biofuel cells are also too large to power these systems under physiological conditions.
Innovation Solution
Development of self-powered analyte determining devices with a working electrode and counter electrode that generate power and detect analyte levels without an external power source, using biological components like enzymes and redox polymers to facilitate electrochemical reactions, allowing for smaller dimensions and continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If external batteries are used to power implantable sensors, then the sensor can operate continuously, but the device size increases due to battery case and seal requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source function from the traditional battery component and relocates it to the sensor tip itself. The sensor tip contains a fuel cell with anode, cathode, and electrolyte that generates electrical power locally at the measurement site, eliminating the need for a separate external battery. This extraction of the power generation function to the sensor tip directly resolves the contradiction by enabling continuous operation without increasing overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing the fuel cell components (anode, cathode, electrolyte) directly within the sensor tip structure. The power generation system is nested inside the sensor assembly rather than being a separate external component. This nesting approach allows the power source to be integrated into the minimal sensor volume, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and small device size.
2Volume of moving object
If traditional fuel cells are miniaturized, then device size decreases, but manufacturing becomes difficult and expensive due to sealing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different materials and structures in different regions of the fuel cell. The anode uses platinum black for catalytic activity, the cathode uses platinum mesh for oxygen reduction, and the electrolyte is optimized for ion conduction. This localized optimization of materials and structures enables effective miniaturization while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through specialized processes tailored to each component's specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials in the fuel cell construction, combining platinum catalysts with supporting structures, integrating ion-conducting electrolytes with porous substrates, and using composite sealing layers. These composite materials enable miniaturized fuel cell design while maintaining functional performance and manufacturability through advanced material science techniques.
3Reliability
If biofuel cells are designed for physiological conditions, then biocompatibility improves, but power density decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the fuel cell components for physiological operating conditions. The electrolyte is designed to function at physiological temperature and pH, the catalysts are selected to operate efficiently at body temperature, and the ion conduction pathways are optimized for physiological ion compositions. These parameter optimizations enable the fuel cell to maintain biocompatibility while achieving sufficient power density for the sensor application.
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 continuous power generation and analyte monitoring with minimal equilibration time, allowing for smaller, more efficient implantable sensors that can operate within physiological conditions, reducing the need for external power sources and enabling smaller device sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a working electrode, a counter electrode, and an optional resistance value, where the working electrode includes analyte sensing components and the self-powered analyte determining device spontaneously passes a current directly proportional to analyte concentration
Implementation Method 2
using biological components like enzymes and redox polymers to facilitate electrochemical reactions
Implementation Method 3
using biological components like enzymes and redox polymers to facilitate electrochemical reactions
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Generally, embodiments of the invention relate to self-powered analyte determining devices (e.g., electrochemical analyte monitoring systems) that include a working electrode, a counter electrode, and an optional resistance value, where the working electrode includes analyte sensing components and the self-powered analyte determining device spontaneously passes a current directly proportional to analyte concentration in the absence of an external power source. Also provided are systems and methods of using the, for example electrochemical, analyte sensors in analyte monitoring.