SERS Glucose Sensor with Competitor Molecule Binding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glucose monitoring technologies for diabetes patients are invasive, prone to errors, and have limited longevity due to enzyme instability, and existing non-invasive methods suffer from slow penetration and environmental interference.
Innovation Solution
A surface-enhanced Raman biosensor method using a SERS substrate with predefined receptor molecules and competitor molecules to indirectly determine glucose concentration, allowing for continuous, long-term, and less invasive monitoring with improved sensitivity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If transdermal monitors are used for non-invasive glucose monitoring, then patient comfort is improved, but penetration speed is slow and time lag occurs between blood-glucose level and measured glucose level
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sensing function from the skin surface and places it directly in the interstitial fluid space through a minimally invasive implant. The needle-type electrode is inserted only through the epidermis to reach the interstitial fluid, eliminating the need for slow transdermal penetration while maintaining patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing electrode is nested within a biocompatible capsule that is implanted in the subcutaneous space. This nested structure allows the electrode to be positioned directly in the interstitial fluid environment without requiring transdermal penetration, thus improving both comfort and response speed.
2Ease of operation
If transdermal monitors are used, then non-invasive monitoring is achieved, but false signals are generated when interacting with other molecules and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an enzymatic mediator that specifically catalyzes glucose oxidation. This enzymatic intermediary ensures that only glucose molecules are detected with high specificity, eliminating false signals from other molecules while maintaining the benefits of continuous monitoring.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If needle-type electrodes are implanted for continuous in-vivo glucose monitoring, then long-term stability is improved, but infection and inflammation risks increase due to openings through the dermis
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing electrode is enclosed in a biocompatible capsule with a semi-permeable membrane that allows glucose and oxygen to diffuse through while preventing bacterial entry. This flexible shell protects the internal components and reduces infection risk while maintaining long-term implantability.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule creates an inert, biocompatible environment around the electrode that minimizes immune response and prevents bacterial contamination. The biocompatible materials used in the capsule construction reduce inflammation and allow for extended implantation periods.
4Productivity
If enzyme-based sensors are used for glucose detection, then continuous monitoring capability is achieved, but enzyme instability limits the lifetime of the implant
Solution Approach 1:
The enzyme layer is protected by a semi-permeable membrane that maintains a stable microenvironment for the enzyme, protecting it from denaturation and degradation. This extends the functional lifetime of the enzyme while maintaining continuous monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor uses a composite structure combining the enzyme layer with protective polymers and semi-permeable membranes. This composite material system provides both the catalytic function for continuous monitoring and the structural stability for long-term implantation.
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 method provides a sensitive, reliable, and stable means to monitor glucose levels continuously, reducing the need for frequent surgical interventions and minimizing environmental interference, with the potential for real-time monitoring and extended implantation periods.
Implementation Method 1
radiating the SERS substrate with a monochromatic light source thereby generating a SERS signal having a level indicative of the amount of competitor molecules bound to the receptor molecules of the SERS substrate
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A method (200) for determining a concentration of an analyte in a fluid or fluid sample, comprises: providing (201) a SERS substrate comprising receptor molecules (107) capable of binding competitor molecules (106); contacting (202) the SERS substrate (102) with a fluid (sample) comprising analyte (108) and such competitor molecules (106); radiating (203) the SERS substrate (102) with a light source while measuring a SERS signal; and determining (205) a concentration of the analyte (108) based on the measured signal level. A corresponding device and system are also provided.