Electrochemical Sensor with Shared Reference Electrode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laboratory tests for measuring analyte concentrations in biological systems require invasive procedures and are not suitable for continuous monitoring, as they often necessitate bulky equipment and multiple samples.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with an electrochemical sensor featuring a common reference electrode, counter electrodes, and multiple work electrodes, which can be inserted transcutaneously to continuously monitor analyte concentrations by generating signals indicative of analyte levels, processed by integrated circuitry for accurate determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate reference electrodes are used for each work electrode, then measurement reliability is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple reference electrodes into a single shared reference electrode that serves multiple work electrodes simultaneously. This merging approach reduces the overall device size while maintaining measurement reliability through the use of a common reference potential for all analytical measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The single reference electrode is designed to serve multiple functions by providing a common reference potential for multiple different work electrodes that detect different analytes. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate reference electrodes for each work electrode, thereby reducing device size.
2Measurement precision
If multiple separate counter electrodes are used for each work electrode, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple counter electrodes into a single shared counter electrode that supports multiple work electrodes. This reduces device complexity by eliminating redundant components while maintaining measurement precision through proper electrical circuit design that ensures each work electrode pair operates independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The single counter electrode is designed to serve multiple work electrodes simultaneously, providing a universal counter function for different analytical measurements. This multi-functional design reduces device complexity while maintaining precision through careful circuit architecture.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact sensor design with shared electrodes is used, then device size is reduced, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is designed with a modular segmented structure where the single reference electrode and single counter electrode are spatially separated from the array of work electrodes. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing processes while maintaining the compact size, as each electrode type can be fabricated and positioned independently.
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
Enables continuous or near-continuous monitoring of multiple analyte concentrations in a biological system with reduced device size, allowing for ambulatory patient monitoring and increased frequency of data collection, thereby improving patient care.
Implementation Method 1
Each respective work electrode of the plurality of respective work electrodes includes a respective reagent substrate configured to react with a respective analyte to produce a signal indicative of a concentration of the respective analyte
Data Source
AI summary
A biocompatible medical device may include an electrochemical sensor including a common reference electrode; at least one counter electrode; and a work electrode platform comprising a plurality of respective work electrodes, each respective work electrode electrically coupled to the common reference electrode and comprising a respective reagent substrate configured to react with a respective analyte to produce a respective signal indicative of a concentration of the respective analyte; and processing circuitry operatively coupled to the electrochemical sensor, and configured to receive from the electrochemical sensor a plurality of signals from the plurality of respective work electrodes; identify the respective signal corresponding to a respective selected work electrode; and process the identified signal to determine the concentration of the respective analyte associated with the respective selected work electrode.