UV-Blocking Cover Structure for Fluidic Acoustic Biosensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluidic acoustic wave sensor devices face challenges in fixing covers over channels without damaging biomolecules attached to the sensor surfaces, as traditional UV-curable epoxy methods expose biomolecules to UV radiation, which can degrade them.
Innovation Solution
The use of a cover with a portion that blocks UV radiation over the channel and a portion that transmits UV radiation to cure the adhesive, allowing for the attachment of the cover to the sensor device without exposing the biomolecules to harmful UV light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If UV-curable epoxy is used to attach the cover, then the cover can be fixed at low temperatures, but the biomolecules are exposed to UV radiation and degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into two distinct regions: a UV-transparent region that allows UV light to pass through for adhesive curing, and a UV-blocking region that protects the biomolecules. This segmentation enables different parts of the cover to perform different functions simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between needing UV transmission for bonding and UV blocking for biomolecule protection.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cover have different optical properties: the first region is configured to transmit UV radiation while the second region is configured to block UV radiation. This local differentiation of material properties allows the cover to simultaneously enable adhesive curing in one area while protecting sensitive biomolecules in another area from UV damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a UV-blocking cover is used to protect biomolecules, then biomolecules are protected from UV damage, but the adhesive cannot be cured
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented into UV-transparent and UV-blocking regions, allowing UV radiation to reach the adhesive in the transparent region for curing while the blocking region shields the biomolecules. This spatial segmentation resolves the contradiction between protecting biomolecules and enabling adhesive curing.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV-transparent region of the cover acts as an intermediary that selectively transmits UV radiation to the adhesive while the UV-blocking region prevents UV radiation from reaching the biomolecules. This intermediary structure enables the curing process without directly exposing the biomolecules to harmful UV exposure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the entire cover blocks UV radiation, then biomolecules are protected, but the cover cannot be attached using UV-curable adhesive
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented into regions with different UV transmission properties: a UV-transparent region that allows adhesive curing and a UV-blocking region that protects biomolecules. This segmentation makes the manufacturing process feasible by enabling UV-curable adhesive attachment while maintaining biomolecule protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover has locally differentiated optical properties where specific regions are designed to be UV-transparent while others are UV-blocking. This local quality differentiation enables the attachment process to proceed successfully in the transparent region while the blocking region continues to protect the biomolecules from UV damage.
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 method enables the fixation of covers to fluidic bulk acoustic wave sensor devices without destroying the biomolecules, ensuring they retain their ability to bind analytes, thus maintaining sensor functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a first portion of the cover disposed over the first sidewall is transparent to UV radiation, and a second portion of the cover disposed over the second sidewall is transparent to UV radiation. The cover may be attached to a top of surface of the first sidewall and to a top surface of the second sidewall via a cured UV-curable adhesive.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluidic sensing device includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a bulk acoustic resonator structure, a biomolecule, and a cover. A fluidic channel is defined between the first and second sidewalls. The bulk acoustic resonator structure has a surface defining at least a portion of the bottom of the channel. The biomolecule is attached to the surface of the bulk acoustic resonator that forms the bottom of the channel. The cover is disposed over the channel and the first and second sidewalls. A portion of the cover disposed over the channel defines at least a portion of the top of the channel and blocks UV radiation from being transmitted through the cover. A first portion of the cover disposed over the first sidewall is transparent to UV radiation, and a second portion of the cover disposed over the second sidewall is transparent to UV radiation.