Transistor Sensor with Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Film

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting oxytocin, such as ELISA and HPLC, require specialized knowledge and large-scale equipment, and existing small sensors are unable to efficiently and rapidly detect this hormone with high sensitivity, especially for quantitative measurements.

Innovation Solution

A field effect transistor type sensor with a detection electrode coated with a molecularly imprinted polymer film that allows specific compounds to bond in a predetermined orientation, enabling selective and quantitative detection of oxytocin through changes in current and threshold voltage measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If ELISA or HPLC is used for oxytocin detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring specialized knowledge and large-scale equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidequipment scale

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical and chemical systems (ELISA, HPLC) with a field effect transistor-based sensor that detects oxytocin through electrical signal changes. The molecularly imprinted polymer on the detection electrode selectively binds oxytocin, causing measurable changes in transistor current and threshold voltage, thereby achieving high-precision detection with a compact device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in electrical parameters (current and threshold voltage) of the field effect transistor as the detection signal. When oxytocin binds to the molecularly imprinted polymer on the detection electrode, it modulates the transistor's electrical characteristics, enabling precise quantitative measurement through simple electrical readings rather than complex mechanical or chemical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If ELISA or HPLC is used for oxytocin detection, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to requiring specialized knowledge and sample pretreatment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical and chemical systems (ELISA, HPLC) with a field effect transistor-based sensor that detects oxytocin through electrical signal changes. The molecularly imprinted polymer on the detection electrode selectively binds oxytocin, causing measurable changes in transistor current and threshold voltage, thereby achieving high-precision detection with a compact device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The molecularly imprinted polymer on the detection electrode automatically and selectively binds oxytocin from the sample without requiring complex pretreatment steps. The field effect transistor automatically transduces the binding event into an electrical signal, enabling the system to perform detection with minimal user intervention and no specialized knowledge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If conventional sensors are used for oxytocin detection, then detection capability is achieved, but productivity worsens due to long measurement time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical and chemical systems (ELISA, HPLC) with a field effect transistor-based sensor that detects oxytocin through electrical signal changes. The molecularly imprinted polymer on the detection electrode selectively binds oxytocin, causing measurable changes in transistor current and threshold voltage, thereby achieving high-precision detection with a compact device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The field effect transistor provides continuous real-time monitoring of oxytocin binding to the molecularly imprinted polymer. The electrical signal changes occur immediately upon binding, allowing for rapid and continuous measurement without the long incubation and processing times required by conventional methods, thereby significantly improving measurement speed and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Device complexity

If small transistor sensors are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates because quantitative detection method cannot be realized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor sizeVSAvoidquantitative detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes changes in electrical parameters (current and threshold voltage) of the field effect transistor as the detection signal. When oxytocin binds to the molecularly imprinted polymer on the detection electrode, it modulates the transistor's electrical characteristics, enabling precise quantitative measurement through simple electrical readings rather than complex mechanical or chemical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The field effect transistor provides a direct electrical feedback signal that correlates with the amount of oxytocin bound to the molecularly imprinted polymer. By measuring the change in current or threshold voltage, the system can quantitatively determine oxytocin concentration, achieving both miniaturization and precise quantitative detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

The sensor provides a simple and rapid method for high-sensitivity detection of oxytocin, allowing for accurate concentration measurement in solutions, overcoming the limitations of existing techniques by using a small, easy-to-manufacture organic semiconductor transistor with a molecularly imprinted polymer film.

Implementation Method 1

a surface of the detection electrode is provided with a film of a molecularly imprinted polymer having a space to which the compound is allowed to bond

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMolecular imprinting:

Implementation Method 2

each space is formed such that each compound is allowed to be captured in the same orientation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpecific bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

a field effect transistor that has a gate electrode connected to the detection electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectField effect transistor operation:

Implementation Method 4

quantitatively detect a compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity change: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20230148041A1Transistor type sensor

Publication Date: 2023.05.11 JNC CORP

AI summary

A small transistor type sensor capable of detecting a specific compound such as oxytocin is provided. The transistor type sensor includes a detection electrode that detects a compound by capturing the compound, and a field effect transistor that has a gate electrode connected to the detection electrode, wherein a surface of the detection electrode is provided with a film of a molecularly imprinted polymer having a space to which the compound is allowed to bond.