SERS Unit Mechanical Holding Eliminates Adhesive Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surface-enhanced Raman scattering units face deterioration of the optical function part due to ingredients in adhesives used for securing the SERS element to a glass slide, affecting the accuracy and reliability of Raman spectroscopic analysis.

Innovation Solution

A surface-enhanced Raman scattering unit that mechanically holds the SERS element on a measurement board without adhesives, using a pinching part to secure the element and prevent peeling of conductor layers, and incorporating a resin measurement board to inhibit deterioration and ensure accurate positioning of the focal point.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If adhesive is used to secure the SERS element to the glass slide, then the SERS element is firmly fixed, but the optical function part deteriorates due to adhesive ingredients

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing strengthVSAvoidoptical function
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the adhesive from the system entirely, replacing it with a mechanical fixing structure. The SERS element is secured through physical interlocking between the holding part and the element, eliminating the harmful chemical interaction between adhesive ingredients and the optical function part while maintaining firm fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding part serves as an intermediary component between the measurement board and the SERS element. This mechanical mediator provides secure fixation through physical structure rather than chemical bonding, preventing direct contact between potentially harmful adhesives and the sensitive optical function part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If adhesive is used to secure the SERS element, then positioning is achieved, but deterioration occurs during storage and measurement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidelement integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the adhesive substance from the fixing mechanism, replacing it with a mechanical holding structure. This eliminates the source of deterioration while maintaining precise positioning through the geometric design of the holding part and SERS element interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding part is designed with pre-formed positioning features that ensure correct placement of the SERS element before measurement or storage. The mechanical structure inherently provides accurate positioning without requiring adhesive application, preventing deterioration during subsequent handling and storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If mechanical holding is used instead of adhesive, then optical function is preserved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical functionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the measurement board into functional segments: a holding part for mechanical fixation and a measurement area for SERS analysis. This segmentation allows the fixing function to be separated from the measurement function, enabling simple mechanical holding without adhesive while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2985595B1Surface-enhanced raman scattering unit and raman spectroscopic analysis method
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK
  • EP2985595B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2985595B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2985595B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A SERS unit 1A comprises a SERS element 2 having a substrate and an optical function part 20 formed on the substrate, the optical function part 20 for generating surface-enhanced Raman scattering; a measurement board 3 supporting the SERS element 2 upon measurement; and a holding part 4 mechanically holding the SERS element 2 in the measurement board 3.