Disposable Cyclic Voltammetry Sensor for Regeneration-Free Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrochemical sensors require electrode regeneration through physical polishing and sample pretreatment due to contamination, which complicates the measurement process and increases maintenance requirements.

Innovation Solution

A sensor system that measures cyclic voltammograms without the need for electrode regeneration or sample pretreatment, using a detachable configuration with a substrate and electrodes, and an analysis device that creates an index curve based on current-potential characteristics to identify analytes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If electrochemical sensors are used for on-site measurement, then portability and compactness are improved, but electrode regeneration through physical polishing and sample pretreatment are required which increases device complexity and maintenance requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor portabilityVSAvoidelectrode regeneration process
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable working electrodes that are discarded after a single use rather than being regenerated. This eliminates the need for physical polishing and complex regeneration procedures, while maintaining the portability and compactness of electrochemical sensors for on-site measurement applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are used in combination to determine solution state, then measurement accuracy is improved, but system complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolution state determination accuracyVSAvoidmultiple sensor combination
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a single electrochemical sensor capable of detecting multiple analytes including alcohol content, total acidity, and other solution parameters through amperometric detection at different potentials. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple specialized sensors while maintaining comprehensive solution state determination capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If electrode surface is regenerated through physical polishing, then signal strength is restored, but measurement time is increased and productivity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal strengthVSAvoidmeasurement throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the time-consuming electrode polishing process by using disposable working electrodes. Each electrode is used once and then discarded, ensuring consistent signal strength without requiring regeneration time, thereby significantly increasing measurement throughput and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 accurate analyte identification without electrode regeneration or sample pretreatment, simplifying the measurement process and reducing maintenance needs.

Implementation Method 1

a working electrode, provided on one surface of the substrate, electrically connected to one end of the first wiring, and configured to exchange electrons with the analyte

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 2

measuring a cyclic voltammogram of a liquid analyte, detachably provided to a measurement device that measures the cyclic voltammogram

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclic voltammetry:

Data Source

PatentEP4657056A1Sensor, analysis device, terminal device, analysis system using these, and program to be executed by computer
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 EXTEND CO LTD
  • EP4657056A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4657056A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4657056A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A sensor 11 is used for measuring the cyclic voltammogram of a liquid analyte, detachably provided to a measurement device that measures the cyclic voltammogram, and configured to be discarded after each measurement of the cyclic voltammogram, and the sensor includes a substrate 111 having a flat plate shape, a working electrode 112, a counter electrode 113, a reference electrode 114, and wirings 115 to 117. The wirings 115 to 117 are provided on one surface of the substrate 111. The working electrode 112 is provided on one surface of the substrate 111 and electrically connected to one end of the wiring 115. The counter electrode 113 is provided on one surface of the substrate 111 and electrically connected to one end of the wiring 116. The reference electrode 114 is provided on one surface of the substrate 111 and electrically connected to one end of the wiring 117. The working electrode 112 has a circular or square planar shape.