MULTILAYER STRUCTURE FOR A BIOSENSOR, BIOSENSOR AND METHOD FOR ITS MANUFACTURE

Abstract

The present invention concerns a multilayer structure for a biosensor, comprising a base layer, a biocompatible layer comprising a reagent on the base layer, a self-adhesive layer on the biocompatible layer, such that the reagent is at least partially aligned with a channel formed in the self-adhesive layer, and a top layer on the self-adhesive layer. According to the present invention, the biocompatible layer is deposited directly onto the base layer and is adhesive. The present invention also concerns a biosensor and a method for the manufacture of such a multilayer structure.

Claims

1. A multilayer structure for a biosensor, comprising: a base layer; a biocompatible layer comprising a reagent on the base layer, and a self-adhesive layer on the biocompatible layer, such that the reagent is at least partially aligned with a channel formed in the self-adhesive layer; and a top layer on the self-adhesive layer, the biocompatible layer being deposited directly onto the base layer and being adhesive.

2. The multilayer structure for a biosensor as claimed in claim 1, in which the reagent is an electrochemical or fluorescent substance.

3. The multilayer structure for a biosensor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reagent is deposited in a groove of the biocompatible layer.

4. The multilayer structure for a biosensor as claimed in claim 3, wherein the width of said groove of the biocompatible layer is smaller than the width of the channel of the self-adhesive layer.

5. The multilayer structure for a biosensor as claimed in claim 3, wherein said groove of the biocompatible layer is a through groove.

6. The multilayer structure for a biosensor as claimed in claims 1, in which the self-adhesive layer is a pressure-sensitive self-adhesive layer.

7. A biosensor comprising at least one transducer and a multilayer structure as claimed in claim 1.

8. A method for the manufacture of a multilayer structure for a biosensor, comprising the steps of: providing a base layer; providing a biocompatible and adhesive layer, which comprises a reagent directly on the base layer; providing a self-adhesive layer comprising a channel in which a fluid can move on or over the biocompatible layer, in a manner such that the reagent of the biocompatible layer is at least partially aligned with the channel of the self-adhesive layer; and providing a top layer deposited on the self-adhesive layer.

9. The manufacturing method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the reagent is an electrochemical or fluorescent substance.

10. The manufacturing method as claimed in claim 8 comprising: a first step during which a through opening of width L1 is formed through the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and a release film deposited on a surface of the self-adhesive layer; a second step during which the self-adhesive layer is deposited directly onto the biocompatible and adhesive layer by lamination; a third step for forming a groove of width L2 by etching into the biocompatible and adhesive layer, the width L2 being smaller than the width L1; a fourth step during which the biocompatible and adhesive layer is deposited directly onto the base layer by lamination; a fifth step during which the reagent is deposited in the groove of width L2; a sixth step during which the release film is removed from the self-adhesive layer; and a seventh step during which a top layer is deposited onto the self-adhesive layer by lamination.

11. The manufacturing method as claimed in claim 8, comprising: a first step during which a release film is deposited onto a surface of the self-adhesive layer, which layer is in turn deposited on the biocompatible and adhesive layer, which is deposited on the base layer; a second step for perforation to form a through hole through the self-adhesive layer and the release film and forming a blind hole in the biocompatible and adhesive layer; a third step during which the reagent (108) is deposited in the blind hole (106A) of the biocompatible and adhesive layer; a fourth step during which the release film is removed from the self-adhesive layer; and a fifth step during which a top layer is deposited on the self-adhesive layer by lamination.

12. The manufacturing method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the perforation in the second step is carried out by laser or by chemical etching.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] FIG. 1A illustrates a first step of a known method for the manufacture of a multilayer structure according to the prior art.

[0050] FIG. 1B illustrates a second step of a known method for the manufacture of a multilayer structure according to the prior art.

[0051] FIG. 1C illustrates a third step of a known method for the manufacture of a multilayer structure according to the prior art.

[0052] FIG. 1D illustrates a fourth step of a known method for the manufacture of a multilayer structure according to the prior art.

[0053] FIG. 1 E illustrates a prior art multilayer structure.

[0054] FIG. 2 illustrates a multilayer structure in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 3 illustrates a multilayer structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 4A illustrates a first step of a method for the manufacture of the multilayer structure in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] FIG. 4B illustrates a second step of a method for the manufacture of the multilayer structure in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] FIG. 4C illustrates a third step of a method for the manufacture of the multilayer structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 4D illustrates a fourth step of a method for the manufacture of the multilayer structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] FIG. 4E illustrates a fifth step of a method for the manufacture of the multilayer structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] FIG. 4F illustrates a sixth step of a method for manufacturing the multilayer structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] FIG. 4G illustrates a seventh step of a method for the manufacture of the multilayer structure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] FIG. 5A illustrates a first step of a method for the manufacture of the multilayer structure in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] FIG. 5B illustrates a second step of a method for the manufacture of the multilayer structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0065] FIG. 5C illustrates a third step of a method for the manufacture of the multilayer structure in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] FIG. 5D illustrates a fourth step of a method for the manufacture of the multilayer structure in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] FIG. 5E illustrates a fifth step of a method for the manufacture of the multilayer structure in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

[0068] The invention will now be described in more detail using advantageous embodiments by way of example and with reference to the figures. The embodiments described are simply possible configurations and it should be borne in mind that the individual features as described above may be provided independently of each other or may be omitted completely when implementing the present invention.

[0069] FIG. 2 illustrates a multilayer structure 2 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] The multilayer structure 2 is a structure for an optical biosensor and thus has no electrodes and/or no metal layer.

[0071] The multilayer structure 2 comprises a base layer 4 and a biocompatible layer 6, comprising a reagent 8, on the base layer 4. The reagent 8 is an electrochemical or fluorescent substance. The multilayer structure 2 further comprises a pressure-sensitive self-adhesive layer 10 on the biocompatible layer 6, so that the reagent 8 is aligned with a channel 12 of width L1 formed in the self-adhesive layer 10.

[0072] The multilayer structure 2 also comprises a top layer 14 on the self-adhesive layer 10.

[0073] In accordance with the present invention, the biocompatible layer 6 is deposited directly onto the base layer 4 and is adhesive.

[0074] As will be explained further below with reference to FIG. 4E, the reagent 8 is deposited in a groove of width L2 of the biocompatible layer 6. The reagent 8 is deposited by piezoelectric deposition, by screen printing, by flat screen printing, by rotary screen printing, by inkjet printing or by offset printing. The reagent 8 can thus be deposited by means of known and controlled techniques.

[0075] The groove of width L2 of the biocompatible layer 6 in accordance with the first embodiment is a through groove. Thus, in the first embodiment, the reagent 8 is deposited directly on the base layer 4.

[0076] According to the first embodiment, the width L2 of the groove of the biocompatible layer 6 is less than the width L1 of the channel 12 formed in the self-adhesive layer 10.

[0077] The channel 12 provides the space necessary for the fluid to be analysed to move and be in contact with the reagent 8, in particular in order to cause a chemical reaction.

[0078] The present invention also relates to a biosensor (not shown) comprising at least one transducer and a multilayer structure 2 in accordance with the first embodiment.

[0079] FIG. 3 illustrates a multilayer structure 102 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] As in the first embodiment, the multilayer structure 102 is a structure for an optical biosensor and has no electrode and/or no metal layer. The multilayer structure 102 comprises a base layer 104 and a biocompatible layer 106, comprising a reagent 108, on the base layer 104. The reagent 108 is an electrochemical or fluorescent substance deposited by piezoelectric deposition, by screen printing, by flat screen printing, by rotary screen printing, by inkjet printing or by offset printing. The reagent 108 can thus be deposited by means of known and controlled techniques.

[0081] The multilayer structure 102 furthermore comprises a pressure-sensitive self-adhesive layer 110 on the biocompatible layer 106, so that the reagent 108 is aligned with a channel 112 formed in the self-adhesive layer 110.

[0082] The multilayer structure 102 also comprises a top layer 114 on the self-adhesive layer 110.

[0083] In accordance with the present invention, the biocompatible layer 106 is deposited directly on the base layer 104 and is adhesive.

[0084] Unlike the structure 2 in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the groove of width L2 of the biocompatible layer 106 is not a through groove. Thus, the reagent 108 is not in contact with the base layer 104, and is deposited on the biocompatible layer 106.

[0085] In addition, in accordance with the second embodiment, the width L2 of the groove of the biocompatible layer 106 is equal to the width L1 of the channel 112 formed in the self-adhesive layer 110.

[0086] The channel 112 provides the space necessary for the fluid to be analysed to move and be in contact with the reagent 108, in particular in order to cause a chemical reaction.

[0087] The present invention also relates to a biosensor (not shown) comprising at least one transducer and a multilayer structure 102 in accordance with the second embodiment.

[0088] The base layers 4, 104 and the top layers 14, 114 may be produced from polyester, PET, polypropylene, epoxy glass, polyimide and/or paper.

[0089] The biocompatible layers 6, 106 and the self-adhesive layers 10, 110 may be produced from acrylic ester, polyacrylic ester, polyurethane acrylic ester, polyester and/or polypropylene.

[0090] FIGS. 4A to 4G illustrate different steps of a method for the manufacture of the multilayer structure 2 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] The elements with the same reference numerals already used for the description of FIG. 2 will not be described again in detail; reference should be made to their descriptions above.

[0092] According to the method of the first embodiment, in the first step represented by FIG. 4A, a substrate layer 16 is formed by the self-adhesive layer 10 onto which a release film 18 is deposited. The release film 18 prevents the sticky surface of the self-adhesive layer 10 from adhering prematurely, because it has been covered.

[0093] During the first step, the substrate layer 16 is perforated so as to form a through opening 18A of width L1 through the release film 18 and a through opening 10A of the same width L1 through the self-adhesive layer 10.

[0094] During a second step of the method as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the substrate layer 16 is deposited on the biocompatible and adhesive layer 6 by lamination, so that the self-adhesive layer 110 is deposited directly onto the biocompatible and adhesive layer 6.

[0095] Since the self-adhesive layer 10 is pressure-sensitive, no solvent, water or heat is required to activate the adhesive properties of the layer 10. During a third step of the method as illustrated in FIG. 4C, a through-groove 6A of width L2 is formed in the biocompatible layer 6 by exposure and chemical etching. The irradiation consists of exposing only the zone of width L2 to ultraviolet radiation by means of a masking system.

[0096] This chemical etching step can be used to obtain a groove 6A with smooth walls 20, which provides good hydrophilic properties for the fluid to be analysed. The chemical etch may be carried out by means of a solution based on concentrated sulphuric acid, or on concentrated chloric acid or on concentrated sodium hydroxide or on butyl derivatives of the butyl ether type. Because the groove 6A is etched with a width L2 which is smaller than the width L1 of the substrate layer 16, this makes it possible to have no adhesive in the groove 6 A after the lamination step.

[0097] During a fourth step of the method as illustrated in FIG. 4D, the biocompatible and adhesive layer 6 is deposited directly onto the base layer 4 by lamination.

[0098] Since there are no motifs on this base layer 4 in accordance with the present invention, lamination does not require a plurality of lamination steps. In fact, because of the adhesive properties of the biocompatible layer 6 according to the present invention, there is no need for an adhesive film or a release film for lamination of the base layer 4.

[0099] In a fifth step of the method as illustrated in FIG. 4E, the reagent 8 is deposited in the groove 6A of width L2 of the biocompatible layer 6 by piezoelectric deposition, by screen printing, by flat screen printing, by rotary screen printing, by ink jet printing or by offset printing, then the reagent 8 is dried. Since the groove 6A of width L2 of the biocompatible layer 6 in accordance with the first embodiment is a through groove, the reagent 8 is deposited directly on the base layer 4.

[0100] During a sixth step of the method as illustrated in FIG. 4F, the release film 18 was removed from the surface 22 of the self-adhesive layer 10.

[0101] During the seventh and last step, illustrated in FIG. 4G, a top layer 14 is deposited onto the self-adhesive layer 10 by lamination in order to close the opening 10A which forms the channel 12 in which the fluid to be analysed can move. Since there are no motifs on this top layer 14 in accordance with the present invention, lamination does not require a plurality of lamination steps.

[0102] The method in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention means that the number of steps required can be reduced compared with the known prior art method and advantageously makes it possible to avoid contact between the reagent 8 and the adhesive 10, thus reducing the risk of polluting the reagent 8. FIGS. 5A to 5E illustrate different steps of a method for manufacturing the multilayer structure 102 in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] The elements with the same reference numerals already used for the description of FIG. 3 will not be described again in detail; reference should be made to their descriptions above.

[0104] In accordance with the method of the second embodiment, in the first step represented by FIGS. 5A, the base layer 104, for example made of PET, is used as a substrate. The biocompatible and adhesive layer 106 is deposited directly onto the base layer 104. The self-adhesive layer 110 is deposited directly onto the biocompatible layer 106. A release film 118 is deposited onto a surface 122 of the self-adhesive layer 110.

[0105] During a second step of the method as illustrated in FIG. 5B, a through hole 110A, 118A is respectively formed through the self-adhesive layer 110 and the release film 118, while a blind hole 106A is formed in the biocompatible layer 106. This perforation step may be carried out by a laser. The laser is therefore configured to pierce through the self-adhesive layer 110 and the release film 118 and to remove only a portion of the biocompatible layer 106. Thus, the laser does not reach the base layer 104.

[0106] Alternatively, if the self-adhesive layer 110 is capable of being etched, the through holes 110A, 118A and the blind hole 106A may be formed by etching.

[0107] According to the second embodiment, the through holes 110A, 118A and the blind hole 106A have the same width L1.

[0108] In a variation of the second embodiment (not shown), the width of the through holes 110A, 118A may be greater than the width of the blind hole 106A. During a third step of the method as illustrated in FIG. 5C, the reagent 108 is deposited in the blind hole 106A of width L1 of the biocompatible layer 106 by piezoelectric deposition, by screen printing, by flat screen printing, by rotary screen printing, by ink jet printing or by offset printing, then the reagent 108 is dried.

[0109] In the second embodiment, the reagent 108 is deposited in the blind hole 106A, i.e. in a non-through hole 106A. Thus, the reagent 108, unlike the first embodiment, is not in contact with the base layer 104.

[0110] During a fourth step of the method as illustrated in FIG. 5D, the release film 118 has been removed from the surface 122 of the self-adhesive layer 110.

[0111] In the fifth and final step, illustrated in FIG. 5E, a top layer 114 is deposited onto the self-adhesive layer 110 by lamination in order to close the hole 110A which forms the channel 112 in which the fluid to be analysed can move. Because there are no motifs on this top layer 114 in accordance with the present invention, lamination does not require a plurality of lamination steps.

[0112] The method in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention means that a bottom of the channel 112 can consist of the biocompatible layer 106, more precisely in the blind hole 106A of the biocompatible layer 106, into which the reagent 108 is deposited. The reagent 108 is therefore not in contact with the base layer 104 in accordance with the second embodiment. It is thus not necessary for the base layer 104 to exhibit hydrophilic properties. For this reason, it is possible to use a low-cost PET base layer 104 with no hydrophilic properties.

[0113] The embodiments described are merely possible configurations, and it should be borne in mind that the individual characteristics of the various embodiments may be combined or be provided independently of one another.