Semiconductor Sensing Chip for Microfluidic Point-of-Care Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detection technologies face challenges in providing accurate results at a low cost, making them unsuitable for widespread point-of-care (POC) inspections due to high costs of large-scale devices and limitations of general test strips in providing binary results only.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidics sensing system integrated with a semiconductor sensing chip, utilizing reflow channel structures and a readout circuit to mix samples and reagents, sense biofluids, and generate concentration results, thereby reducing costs and achieving miniaturization while maintaining high accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If large-scale detection devices are used to achieve high accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection system into a microfluidics sensing system with a semiconductor sensing chip, separating the functions of sample handling, reagent mixing, and detection into integrated miniaturized components. This segmentation enables high-precision detection while reducing overall device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions (fluid handling, mixing, and sensing) into an integrated microfluidics sensing system on a semiconductor chip. This merging of functions reduces device complexity while maintaining detection accuracy through coordinated operation of the integrated components.
2Measurement precision
If large-scale detection devices are used to achieve high accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical detection systems with a semiconductor-based microfluidics sensing system that uses electrochemical sensing and integrated circuits. This substitution significantly reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining high detection accuracy through electronic signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The semiconductor sensing chip is designed to perform multiple functions (sensing, signal processing, and data output) within a single integrated device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, lowering manufacturing cost while maintaining high detection accuracy.
3Ease of manufacture
If general test strips are used to reduce cost, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple visual readout test strips with a semiconductor-based system that uses electrochemical sensing and electronic signal processing. This substitution enables quantitative concentration measurements with high precision while maintaining cost-effectiveness through integrated circuit technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The readout circuit in the semiconductor sensing chip accumulates sensing signals over a preset time interval and processes them to generate concentration values. This feedback-based signal processing enhances measurement precision by integrating multiple signal measurements and compensating for noise, while the system remains cost-effective.
4Device complexity
If miniaturization is achieved to reduce device complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple high-precision functions (electrochemical sensing, signal amplification, and digital processing) into an integrated microfluidics sensing system on a semiconductor chip. This merging maintains measurement precision by ensuring coordinated operation of all components within the miniaturized system while reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The readout circuit uses parameter changes in the sensing signals (current, voltage, or impedance) detected by the sensing electrode to determine analyte concentration. By monitoring these electrical parameter changes with high precision, the miniaturized system maintains accurate detection capability despite its reduced size and complexity.
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
The system effectively provides accurate biomolecule concentration judgments at a lower cost compared to conventional methods, facilitating miniaturization and reducing hardware complexity, thus enhancing the feasibility of point-of-care diagnostics.
Implementation Method 1
The metal carrier is configured to carry the biofluid under test and sense the biofluid under test through the sensing electrode to obtain sensing signals
Implementation Method 2
The readout circuit is configured to accumulate sensing signals within a preset time interval to generate an accumulation result
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a semiconductor sensing chip and a microfluidic sensing system. The microfluidics sensing system includes a first inlet and a second inlet, a fluidic structure, and a semiconductor sensing chip. The first inlet and the second inlet are respectively configured for injection of a sample and a reagent. The fluidic structure is coupled to the first inlet and the second inlet. The fluidic structure is configured to mix the sample and the reagent to generate a biofluid under test. The semiconductor sensing chip is disposed at the end of the fluidic structure and configured to sense the biofluidic under test and generate a concentration sensing result corresponding to the sample.