Electrochemical Sensor Chip for Quantifying Immune Cell Activity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for identifying immune cell activity, such as using RAW 264.7 cells, rely heavily on visual inspection and are not quantitative, leading to low accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A sensor chip with a three-electrode system, including a work electrode with a carbon paste and horseradish peroxidase, an auxiliary electrode, and a reference electrode, is used to electrochemically measure hydrogen peroxide concentration, which varies with immune cell activity, allowing for quantitative analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If visual inspection method is used to identify cell activity, then the method is simple to operate, but the measurement precision and accuracy are low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual inspection system with an electrochemical sensing system. The sensor chip uses electrochemical reactions (horseradish peroxidase catalyzing hydrogen peroxide reduction) to generate measurable electrical signals, substituting subjective visual assessment with objective quantitative electrical measurement, thereby dramatically improving measurement precision while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from visual observation to electrochemical signal detection. By measuring hydrogen peroxide concentration through electrochemical reduction current, the system transforms the measurement from qualitative visual assessment to quantitative electrical parameter measurement, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If conventional culturing method is used, then the cell activity cannot be quantitatively analyzed, but the method is simple to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cell culturing function and the sensing function into a single integrated sensor chip. The culturing space and electrode assembly are combined in one device, allowing simultaneous cell cultivation and quantitative hydrogen peroxide measurement. This integration enables quantitative analysis without requiring separate complex equipment, thus improving measurement capability while controlling device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor chip serves multiple functions: it acts as both a cell culture vessel and an electrochemical sensor. The same device structure supports both biological culturing and chemical detection, providing multi-functionality that enables quantitative analysis without adding separate complex systems
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 sensor chip enables accurate, quantitative assessment of immune cell activity by measuring hydrogen peroxide concentration, simplifying the manufacturing process and enabling mass production with PDMS materials.
Implementation Method 1
one end of the work electrode positioned inside the culturing space includes a reducing portion made of a carbon paste having horseradish peroxidase (HRP) fixed thereto
Implementation Method 2
the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) induces a reduction reaction of hydrogen peroxide to generate a reduction current
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sensor chip capable of culturing cells and analyzing a cell-derived substance in which the sensor chip is able to electrochemically measure a concentration of hydrogen peroxide whose a secreted amount varies based on activity of immune cells, and to quantitatively analyze cell activity, based on the measured concentration. Further, the present invention relates to a method for quantitative analysis of cell activity using the sensor chip.