Nitrogen-Doped SiC Bio-Electrode for Low-Concentration Immunoassays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional immunoassay methods face challenges in miniaturization and sensitivity, particularly in detecting low concentrations of analytes, due to the requirement of optical systems and limitations in measurement sensitivity and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A bio-electrode using silicon carbide doped with nitrogen is employed for current measurement, which generates a current signal through electrochemical reactions, enabling high-sensitive bio-quantification kits and devices with improved sensitivity and reliability, and an immunoassay method utilizing chronoamperometry to measure current changes over time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If optical measurement methods (color development, fluorescence, luminescence) are used to measure analyte concentration, then measurement can be performed with conventional devices, but measurement sensitivity and reliability are insufficient for detecting very low concentrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement sensitivityVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces optical measurement systems with an electrochemical measurement system. A bio-electrode is used to detect analytes through electrochemical reactions, converting the detection mechanism from optical (color, fluorescence, luminescence) to electrical (current measurement). This substitution enables higher sensitivity and reliability for detecting very low analyte concentrations while eliminating the need for complex optical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If optical systems are used for immunoassay measurement, then analyte concentration can be measured, but device miniaturization is hindered due to the complexity of optical components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes complex optical systems with a simplified electrochemical detection system using a bio-electrode. The bio-electrode directly measures analyte concentration through electrochemical reactions, eliminating the need for optical components such as light sources, detectors, and optical pathways. This dramatically reduces device complexity and enables miniaturization of diagnostic devices while maintaining measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If conventional electrodes are used for current measurement, then device structure is simple, but measurement sensitivity is insufficient for detecting low analyte concentrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidmeasurement sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite electrode structure consisting of a conductive polymer layer and a metal substrate. The conductive polymer (such as polythiophene or polyaniline) provides high surface area and excellent electrochemical activity, while the metal substrate (such as gold or platinum) provides structural support and electrical conductivity. This composite structure significantly enhances measurement sensitivity for detecting low analyte concentrations while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The conductive polymer layer in the bio-electrode is designed with a porous structure that provides a large surface area for analyte interaction. The porous morphology increases the number of active sites for electrochemical reactions, thereby enhancing measurement sensitivity without requiring a complex device structure. The porous structure allows efficient mass transport of analytes to the electrode surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 approach allows for the detection of extremely low analyte concentrations with enhanced measurement sensitivity and reliability, eliminating the need for optical systems and enabling compact, high-reliability diagnostic devices.

Implementation Method 1

a bio-electrode for current measurement which is contacted with an analyte that generates a current signal by an electrochemical reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction:

Implementation Method 2

a current measurer which induces an electrochemical reaction of the analyte by applying a driving voltage and measures a current generated by the electrochemical reaction. Optionally, the current measurer may use chronoamperometry.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChronoamperometry:

Data Source

PatentUS11761957B2Bio-electrode, chronoamperometry device, immunoassay device and method using the same

Publication Date: 2023.09.19 IND ACADEMIC COOP FOUND YONSEI UNIV

AI summary

The present invention relates to a bio-electrode for current measurement including silicon carbide (SiC) doped at least partially with nitrogen (N). The bio-electrode for current measurement according to an embodiment of the present invention is a bio-electrode for a current measurement which is contact with an object to be analyzed, which generates a current signal by an electrochemical reaction, and includes silicon carbide (SiC) doped at least partially with nitrogen (N). The electrode may be used in a high-sensitive bio-quantification kit, a high-sensitive bio-quantification device, and an immunoassay device.