Microelectronic Sensor Device with Spatial Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microelectronic sensor devices lack the capability for versatile temperature control, which is crucial for sensitive biological assays like DNA hybridization, where small temperature variations can affect the stringency and accuracy of results.
Innovation Solution
A microelectronic sensor device with a sample chamber, a sensing array, and a heating array, where the heating elements are aligned with the sensor elements to create optimal temperature conditions, allowing for precise spatial and temporal temperature control within the sample chamber, enabling uniform or non-uniform temperature profiles as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single uniform temperature control is applied to the entire sample chamber, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and ability to perform specific biological assays deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sample chamber is divided into multiple independently controllable temperature zones, each with its own heating element. This segmentation allows different regions to be maintained at different temperatures or temperature profiles, enabling precise control for specific biological assays while maintaining overall system manageability through modular zoning.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sample chamber are equipped with localized heating elements that can be independently controlled to create specific temperature profiles in specific areas. This local quality control enables precise temperature management for particular assay regions without affecting the entire chamber, thereby improving measurement precision while keeping device complexity manageable through targeted control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independently controlled heating zones are implemented, then the versatility and measurement precision improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into multiple independently controllable zones, each capable of being regulated separately. This segmentation provides versatility for different assay requirements while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design, where each zone can be controlled independently or in combination with others based on assay needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature control system is made dynamic by allowing independent adjustment of temperature parameters for each heating zone. This dynamic control enables the system to adapt to different assay requirements, switching between uniform and non-uniform temperature profiles as needed, thereby improving versatility while keeping the control architecture manageable through standardized dynamic control mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If precise temperature control is implemented for DNA hybridization assays, then the measurement precision improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Heating elements are applied locally only where and when needed for specific assay regions, rather than heating the entire sample chamber uniformly. This localized heating approach maintains precise temperature control for DNA hybridization assays where required, while reducing overall energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary heating of other chamber regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system applies partial action by activating only the specific heating zones and to the extent needed for the current assay protocol. This prevents excessive energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision, as each heating element can be independently controlled to provide exactly the temperature and duration required for its specific assay region.
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 setup enhances the accuracy and flexibility of biological assays by allowing for controlled temperature conditions, improving the ability to distinguish between mutations and enabling multiplexed testing, especially in DNA hybridization assays.
Implementation Method 1
Each individual heating element HE is in heat exchange with a sub-region of the sample chamber SC
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to different designs of a microelectronic sensor device comprising an array of heating elements (HE) and an array of sensor elements (SE) that are aligned with respect to each other adjacent to a sample chamber (SC). By applying appropriate currents to the heating elements (HE), the sample chamber can be heated according to a desired temperature profile.