Thin-Film Sensor with Microarray Seal for Simultaneous Glucose Oxygen pH Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensors are unable to simultaneously measure glucose, oxygen, and pH levels in limited volumes, which is crucial for diabetes monitoring, hypoxia-related disease diagnoses, and understanding cellular metabolism, as they lack sensitivity, selectivity, long-term stability, and multifunctionality.
Innovation Solution
A thin-film-based sensor system using fluorescence technology with optical probes emitting blue, red, and green light for glucose, oxygen, and pH measurements respectively, chemically grafted in a polymer matrix, allowing for simultaneous detection of these parameters in a single device with high spatial and temporal resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensors are used to measure multiple analytes, then device complexity increases, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to inability to simultaneously measure glucose, oxygen, and pH in limited volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines three separate sensing functions (glucose, oxygen, and pH measurement) into a single integrated thin-film sensor device. The thin film contains multiple optical probes that can simultaneously detect all three analytes in limited sample volumes, eliminating the need for multiple separate sensors and improving measurement precision through coordinated detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin-film sensor is designed as a universal platform that can measure multiple different analytes (glucose, oxygen, pH) simultaneously using a single device. This multi-functional approach allows one sensor to perform the work of three separate sensors, reducing device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision across all parameters.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are designed for high sensitivity to detect analytes in limited volumes, then measurement precision improves, but long-term stability deteriorates due to probe leaching from the matrix
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite polymer matrix material that provides both high sensitivity for detecting analytes in limited volumes and long-term stability. The polymer matrix is specifically designed to immobilize optical probes effectively, preventing probe leaching while maintaining detection sensitivity. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between sensitivity and stability by integrating both properties into a single material system.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin-film sensor is designed as a disposable device that maintains high detection sensitivity throughout its use period. By accepting the device as single-use, the system ensures optimal measurement precision without compromising long-term stability, as each new device provides fresh probes at full sensitivity with no degradation from previous use.
3Reliability
If optical probes are immobilized in a polymer matrix to improve stability, then reliability improves, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in controlling probe distribution and film thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical assembly processes with a chemical approach. Optical probes are chemically grafted onto the polymer matrix through covalent bonding, eliminating the need for precise mechanical positioning and assembly. This chemical substitution simplifies manufacturing while ensuring stable probe immobilization, resolving the contradiction between reliability and manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls film thickness and probe distribution by adjusting chemical parameters during the polymerization process, such as monomer concentration, cross-linking density, and reaction conditions. By changing these chemical parameters, the system achieves reliable probe immobilization and consistent film properties without requiring high-precision mechanical control, thus improving both reliability and manufacturing precision.
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 and stable simultaneous measurement of glucose, oxygen, and pH levels in minute quantities, improving diabetes monitoring and understanding cellular metabolism, with enhanced sensitivity and selectivity compared to existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
The system uses fluorescence technology in the form of optical probes which are capable of absorbing radiation and emitting light in the visible region in the form of color.
Implementation Method 2
The optical probes are chemically grafted or immobilized in a suitable polymer matrix, alleviating the leaching of the probes from the matrix, improving the sensor matrix thin film sensing stability
Data Source
AI summary
A triple sensor structured for simultaneous measurement of glucose, oxygen, and pH. The sensor components are in thin film states such as sensing films or membranes, with a glucose probe associated with emission of radiation in the blue part of the spectrum, an oxygen probe associated with radiation in red portion of the spectrum, and a pH probe—with a green portion of the spectrum. The optical probes are chemically grafted or immobilized in a suitable polymer matrix, alleviating the leaching of the probes from the matrix, improving the thin film sensing stability, and enabling the repeatable use of the same sensing films.