SENSOR DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A SENSOR DEVICE

Abstract

A sensor device for sensing a property of a biological material comprises: a biocompatible enclosure comprising a barrier having a first and a second surface; a sensor receptor element arranged at the first surface; a substrate arranged at the second surface carrying an electronic or photonic circuitry comprising a sensor transducer element for reading out signals from the sensor receptor element; and wherein at least one compartment of the biocompatible enclosure is configured to control transport of the biological material into the compartment or is configured to form a hermetical seal around the substrate.

Claims

1. A sensor device for sensing a property of a biological material, said sensor device comprising: a biocompatible enclosure defining at least one compartment, the biocompatible enclosure comprising a barrier having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein the barrier is formed from biocompatible and electrically insulating material; at least one sensor receptor element arranged at the first surface of the barrier; an electronic or photonic circuitry comprising at least one sensor transducer element for reading out signals from the at least one sensor receptor element, wherein the electronic or photonic circuitry is arranged at the second surface of the barrier and wherein the at least one sensor receptor element and the at least one sensor transducer element are configured to communicate through the barrier; and wherein the at least one compartment is configured to control transport of the biological material into the compartment or wherein the at least one compartment is configured to form a hermetical seal around the electronic or photonic circuitry; wherein the sensor device is configured to be arranged with the at least one sensor receptor element making contact with the biological material for sensing the property of the biological material and the electronic or photonic circuitry comprising the at least one sensor transducer element being protected from making contact with the biological material.

2. The sensor device according to claim 1, further comprising a substrate carrying the electronic or photonic circuitry.

3. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the barrier of the biocompatible enclosure comprises through-going holes, wherein the through-going holes are filled by a conducting material for providing electrical contact between the at least one sensor receptor element and the at least one sensor transducer element.

4. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor transducer element is configured to transmit an interrogation electromagnetic signal through the barrier to the at least one sensor receptor element and for receiving a response signal from the at least one sensor receptor element.

5. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the barrier of the biocompatible enclosure is a first wall and wherein the sensor device further comprises a second wall formed from biocompatible material, wherein the second wall is arranged facing the first surface of the first wall and the second wall comprises a membrane area comprising a plurality of through-going openings through the second wall for selectively passing biological material through the second wall.

6. The sensor device according to claim 5, further comprising a protective coating on the membrane area for protecting the through-going openings from being blocked.

7. The sensor device according to claim 5, further comprising a protein filter on or below the membrane area for selectively excluding protein access to the at least one sensor element.

8. The sensor device according to claim 5, wherein the second wall is arranged as an internal wall within a compartment of the at least one compartment configured to control transport of the biological material into the compartment, wherein the second wall separates the compartment into two sub-compartments and is configured to provide fluid communication between the two sub-compartments through the membrane area.

9. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one compartment comprises a first compartment configured to control flow of the biological material into the first compartment, wherein the biocompatible enclosure comprises an inlet opening for allowing flow of the biological material into the first compartment and an outlet opening for allowing flow of the biological material out of the first compartment.

10. The sensor device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one compartment further comprises a second compartment configured to form a hermetical seal around the electronic circuitry.

11. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device comprises a plurality of stacked plates forming a stack with the stacked plates bonded to each other at edges of the sensor device, wherein the stacked plates include at least a first plate carrying the at least one sensor receptor element, a second plate for defining a spacing, and a third plate, wherein the first plate, the second plate and the third plate are bonded together to form the biocompatible enclosure with the second plate defining a spacing between the first plate and the third plate.

12. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor receptor element comprises carbon, graphene, gold, silver, platinum and/or conductive polymer.

13. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor receptor element is configured to capture an analyte of interest.

14. The sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor device is configured to be at least partly implantable in a human or animal body.

15. A method for manufacturing a sensor device for sensing a property of a biological material, said method comprising: stacking at least three plates, each formed of biocompatible material, wherein a first plate of the at least three plates comprises a barrier formed from biocompatible and electrically insulating material, wherein the barrier has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface and wherein at least one sensor receptor element is arranged at the first surface of the barrier; arranging an electronic or photonic circuitry at the second surface of the barrier, wherein the electronic or photonic circuitry comprises at least one sensor transducer element for reading out signals from the at least one sensor receptor element by communication through the barrier, bonding edges of at least one sensor device in the at least three plates to each other so as to form a biocompatible enclosure defining at least one compartment, wherein the biocompatible enclosure comprises the barrier of the first plate and wherein the at least one compartment is configured to control transport of the biological material into the compartment or wherein the at least one compartment is configured to form a hermetical seal around the electronic or photonic circuitry.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said arranging comprises arranging a substrate at the second surface of the barrier, wherein the substrate carries the electronic or photonic circuitry.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein bonding of the edges comprises laser welding the edges for forming a bond.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0109] The above, as well as additional objects, features, and advantages of the present inventive concept, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description, with reference to the appended drawings. In the drawings like reference numerals will be used for like elements unless stated otherwise.

[0110] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cross-section of a sensor device according to a first embodiment.

[0111] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a cross-section of a sensor device according to a second embodiment.

[0112] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a cross-section of a sensor device according to a third embodiment.

[0113] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a cross-section of a sensor device according to a fourth embodiment.

[0114] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a cross-section of a sensor device according to a fifth embodiment.

[0115] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a cross-section of a sensor device according to a sixth embodiment.

[0116] FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating forming of the sensor device of the first embodiment using stacking of plates.

[0117] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing of a sensor device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0118] Referring now to FIG. 1, a sensor device 100 according to a first embodiment will be described.

[0119] The sensor device 100 comprises a biocompatible enclosure 102 defining a first compartment 104 and a second compartment 106. The biocompatible enclosure 102 comprises a barrier 108 separating the first compartment 104 from the second compartment 106. The barrier 108 may thus form a wall or part of a wall of the first compartment 104 as well as the second compartment 106.

[0120] The biocompatible enclosure 102 is formed from a biocompatible material, such as glass, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, ceramics, or quartz.

[0121] The biocompatible enclosure 102 may be formed from a homogeneous material or different parts of the biocompatible enclosure 102 may be formed from different materials.

[0122] The barrier 108 may be formed from a biocompatible and electrically insulating material. The barrier 108 may be formed from a same material as other parts of the biocompatible enclosure 102 or may be formed from another material than other parts of the biocompatible enclosure 102. The barrier 108 may be formed from glass, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, ceramics, or quartz.

[0123] According to an embodiment, the barrier 108 is formed from glass. The entire biocompatible enclosure 102 may be formed from glass, preferably borosilicate glass, which is a suitable biocompatible material, and which may also allow for the sensor device 100 to be formed by separately manufactured plates that may be attached together, e.g., by laser welding.

[0124] According to another embodiment, the barrier 108 may be a ceramic barrier, which may be bonded to a titanium enclosure such that the barrier 108 is surrounded by the titanium enclosure at edges of the barrier 108. The ceramic barrier may be bonded to the titanium enclosure by gold brazing at high temperature, typically at 1000? C. or higher. The bonding of the ceramic barrier to the titanium enclosure may be performed before the barrier 108 is assembled with other parts of the sensor device 100 such that the high temperature treatment will not affect other components of the sensor device 100.

[0125] The titanium enclosure may be attached to further walls formed from titanium allowing the biocompatible enclosure 102 of the sensor device 100 to be assembled using a procedure that does not affect components of the sensor device 100, such as using laser welding.

[0126] The sensor device 100 may comprise at least one sensor receptor element 110 arranged at a first surface of the barrier 108. The at least one sensor receptor element 110 may thus be arranged within the first compartment 104.

[0127] The sensor device 100 may further comprise a substrate 112 carrying an electronic or photonic circuitry 114. The substrate 112 is arranged at a second surface of the barrier 108, opposite to the first surface, and may thus be arranged within the second compartment 106.

[0128] The at least one sensor receptor element 110 may be configured to make contact with a biological material for sensing a property of the biological material. Thus, the biological material may be allowed to enter the first compartment 104. However, the substrate 112 carrying the electronic or photonic circuitry 114 may be arranged in the second compartment 106 and the barrier 108 may function to prevent the biological material present in the first compartment 104 to reach the second compartment 106. Further, the biocompatible enclosure 102 may form a hermetical seal of the second compartment 106 such that a hermetical seal is formed around the substrate 112 carrying the electronic or photonic circuitry 114. This implies that the electronic or photonic circuitry 114 may be protected from making contact with the biological material.

[0129] The at least one sensor receptor element 110 may be configured to sense a desired property of the biological material. The at least one sensor receptor element 110 may for instance be selective to a particular analyte of the biological material, such that information acquired by the at least one sensor element 110 is representative of the particular analyte. The at least one sensor receptor element 110 may for instance comprise materials for selective interaction with specific target analytes. For instance, the at least one sensor receptor element 110 may comprise ion selective membranes, ion exchange membranes, ionophores, enzymes, antibodies, nanobodies, DNA, aptamers, molecularly imprinted polymers, organelles, cells, or optically active materials, like fluorophores, phosphors, electrochemiluminescent or photoelectrochemical materials, or surface plasmon metal films.

[0130] The at least one sensor receptor element 110 may further comprise an electrode. The electrode may be configured to acquire an electrical signal such as an electrical charge, potential or current or to generate an optical signal in dependence of the property of the biological material, such as in dependence of an amount of analytes being captured by the at least one sensor element 110. A surface of the electrode may be treated with a material for selective interaction with target analyte(s).

[0131] The electrode of the at least one sensor receptor element 110 may be formed from carbon, graphene, gold, silver, platinum or conductive polymer, e.g., poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS). Such materials are particularly suitable for use in an electrode and/or field effect transistor channel for selective sensing of target analytes. Thanks to the at least one sensor receptor element 110 being separated by the barrier 108 from the substrate 112, the at least one sensor receptor element 110 may be separately manufactured from the substrate 112, such that a choice of materials for the electrode is not dependent on materials compatible with processing of the substrate carrying the electronic or photonic circuitry 114. In particular, the at least one sensor receptor element 110 may comprise materials not compatible with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processing, which facilitates use of carbon, gold, silver and/or platinum in the at least one sensor receptor element 110.

[0132] The electronic or photonic circuitry 114 comprises at least one sensor transducer element 116. The at least one sensor receptor element 110 and the at least one sensor transducer element 116 are configured to communicate through the barrier 108. Thus, the at least one sensor transducer element 116 may be configured to read out signals from the at least one sensor receptor element 110 for reading out measurements of the property of the biological material.

[0133] The at least one sensor transducer element 116 may be configured to communicate with the at least one sensor receptor element 110 through an electrical contact between the at least one sensor transducer element 116 and the at least one sensor receptor element 110. The barrier 108 may in this regard comprise through-going holes filled by a conducting material 118. The through-going holes may extend from the first surface of the barrier 108 to the second surface of the barrier 108.

[0134] The at least one sensor receptor element 110 may be connected to the conducting material 118 at the first surface of the barrier 108, such as being arranged immediately above the conducting material 118. The at least one sensor transducer element 116 may be connected to the conducting material 118 at the second surface of the barrier 108.

[0135] The substrate 112 may be arranged at the second surface of the barrier 108 such that the at least one transducer element 116 is brought in electrical contact with the conducting material 118 at the second surface of the barrier 108. Thus, the substrate 112 may be mounted in direct contact with the second surface of the barrier 108.

[0136] However, the substrate 112 may alternatively be mounted to another structure for defining a location of the substrate 112. For instance, the substrate 112 may be mounted to a plate, which is connected to the barrier 108 when the second compartment 106 is formed. This implies that the substrate 112 may be mounted close to the second surface of the barrier 108 but not necessarily in direct contact with the barrier 108. Then, the at least one sensor transducer element 116 may form an electrical contact with the conducting material 118 by the conducting material 118 protruding slightly from the second surface of the barrier 108 or by forming a connection between the at least one sensor transducer element 116 and the conducting material 118 using solder bumps, conductive epoxy, or ball grid arrays.

[0137] According to an alternative embodiment, the electronic or photonic circuitry 114 and the at least one sensor transducer element 116 may be arranged on a chip, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip forming the substrate 112. The chip may be mounted to the second surface of the barrier 108, e.g., using solder bumps, conductive epoxy, or ball grid arrays, such that the at least one transducer element 116 is brought in electrical contact with the conducting material 118 at the second surface of the barrier 108.

[0138] According to another alternative embodiment, the electronic or photonic circuitry 114 may be directly arranged on the second surface of the barrier 108, such as using gold conductive patterns printed directly on a glass surface of the barrier 108. The at least one transducer element 116 may be bonded to the second surface of the barrier 108 to form electrical contact with the conducting material 118 at the second surface of the barrier 108.

[0139] The at least one sensor transducer element 116 may be configured to read out information from the at least one sensor receptor element 110 through the communication between the at least one sensor transducer element 116 and the at least one sensor receptor element 110. The at least one sensor transducer element 116 may thus be configured to convert information acquired by the at least one sensor receptor element 110 to an analytical signal.

[0140] The at least one sensor transducer element 116 may be configured to provide an electrical or optical signal representative of information sensed by the at least one sensor receptor element 110, which electrical or optical signal is suitable for being further processed by the electronic or photonic circuitry 114. When the at least one sensor transducer element 116 communicates with the at least one sensor receptor element 110 using the conducting material 118 through the barrier 108, the at least one sensor transducer element 116 may be configured to provide an electrical signal to an electronic circuitry 114.

[0141] The electronic or photonic circuitry 114 may be configured to process the analytical signal received from the at least one signal transducer element 116. Thus, the electronic or photonic circuitry 114 may comprise a processing unit for processing the analytical signal.

[0142] The electronic or photonic circuitry 114 may also or alternatively be configured to store information, such as storing data based on the analytical signal. The electronic or photonic circuitry 114 may also or alternatively be configured to communicate with an external device, such as communicating the analytical signal to the external device. The electronic or photonic circuitry 114 may be configured to provide communication with the external device through wireless communication.

[0143] The biocompatible enclosure 102 may be configured to control transport of the biological material into the first compartment 104. The sensor device 100 may thus be configured to allow biological material to enter the first compartment 104 in which the at least one sensor receptor element 110 is arranged.

[0144] The biocompatible enclosure 102 may define an inlet opening 120 and an outlet opening 122 in a wall of the biocompatible enclosure 102, whereby biological material may be allowed to pass into the first compartment 104 through the inlet opening 120 and allowed to pass out of the first compartment 104 through the outlet opening 122. Thus, the arrangement of the inlet opening 120 and the outlet opening 122 controls flow into the first compartment 104 by defining a physical location in which flow of the biological material may occur.

[0145] The biocompatible enclosure 102 may be configured to be arranged within the biological material, such as being implanted in a human or animal body or being arranged in a reservoir comprising the biological material, such as a bioreactor. The flow of the biological material into the first compartment 104 may occur merely by the sensor device 100 being arranged in contact with, such as surrounded by the biological material.

[0146] The sensor device 100 may comprise or may be connected to conduits or channels. Such conduits or channels may be connected to the inlet opening 120 and the outlet opening 122, respectively, of the biocompatible enclosure 102. The flow of biological material may thus occur through the conduits or channels providing a well-controlled flow of biological material into and out of the first compartment 104. This may be useful, for instance, when the sensor device 100 is intended to be used outside a human or animal body, wherein the biological material may be brought to the sensor device 100 through the conduits or channels. However, it could also be used when the sensor device 100 is implanted in a human or animal body in order to control particular flow of biological material into the first compartment 104 such as controlling flow of blood from a kidney into the first compartment 104.

[0147] The sensor device 100 comprises an internal wall 124 within the first compartment 104. The internal wall 124 separates the first compartment 104 into a first sub-compartment 105a and a second sub-compartment 105b. The internal wall 124 may further be used for controlling transport between the first sub-compartment 105a and the second sub-compartment 105b.

[0148] The first sub-compartment 105a may comprise the inlet opening 120 and the outlet opening 122 so as to receive flow of biological material. The internal wall 124 may be configured to selectively allow particles or substances to pass through the internal wall 124 such that a filtering of the biological material is provided by the internal wall 124 into the second sub-compartment 105b.

[0149] The internal wall 124 comprises a membrane area 126 comprising a plurality of through-going openings 128 through the internal wall 124. The through-going openings 128 may define sizes of openings so as to selectively pass biological material through the internal wall 124.

[0150] The internal wall 124 may be configured to face the barrier 108 on an opposite side of the barrier 128 in the second sub-compartment 105b. Thus, the internal wall 124 may provide a membrane area 126 acting as a filter for a transport of biological material for entering the second sub-compartment 105b. The at least one sensor receptor element 110 may then be arranged at a bottom of the second sub-compartment 105b.

[0151] The through-going openings 128 may have a size for preventing cells of the biological material to enter the second sub-compartment 105b. Thus, the through-going openings 128 may have a size in a range of 1-100 ?m, such as 5-20 ?m or 5-10 ?m. This implies that the membrane area 126 may prevent cells or particular types of cells from passing the internal wall 124.

[0152] The internal wall 124 may be formed from a biocompatible material. The internal wall 124 may for instance be formed from the same biocompatible material as other parts of the biocompatible enclosure 102. However, it should be realized that the internal wall 124 may be formed from another material than other parts of the biocompatible enclosure 102.

[0153] For instance, the internal wall 124 may be formed from glass. If glass is used, the through-going openings 128 may typically be in a micrometer range, since it is difficult to form smaller openings in glass.

[0154] According to another embodiment, the internal wall 124 may be formed from another material, such as silicon. In such case, the through-going openings 128 may be even smaller than 1 ?m.

[0155] For instance, the internal wall 124 may be formed from silicon, wherein the internal wall 124 is surrounded by a titanium enclosure arranged at edges of the internal wall 124. The internal wall 124 may be bonded to the titanium enclosure using gold paste at a moderate temperature below 400? C. This may be particularly useful when the ceramic barrier 108 surrounded by a titanium enclosure, described above, is used. Then, the titanium enclosure of the barrier 108 and the titanium enclosure of the internal wall 124 may be bonded to each other for assembly of the biocompatible enclosure 102. The titanium enclosures may be bonded to each other using laser welding, which implies that only local heating at a point of a laser weld is provided such that components of the sensor device 100 are not damaged by the bonding of the titanium enclosures.

[0156] The membrane area 126 may be provided with a protective coating 130. The protective coating 130 may be arranged above the membrane area 126 on a surface of the membrane area 126 facing the first sub-compartment 105a. The protective coating 130 may be arranged directly on the membrane area 126.

[0157] The protective coating 130 may function as an antifouling coating to protect the through-going openings 128 from being blocked, e.g., due to protein adsorption to the membrane area 126. Thus, the protective coating 130 may reduce fouling of the membrane area 126. However, it should be realized that the protective coating 130 may not be needed or necessarily used.

[0158] The sensor device 100 may further comprise a protein filter 132 on or below the membrane area 126. The protein filter 132 may thus be arranged above the membrane area 126 on a surface of the membrane area 126 facing the first sub-compartment 105a or below the membrane area 126 on a surface facing the second sub-compartment 105b.

[0159] The protein filter 132 may be configured to selectively exclude protein access to the second sub-compartment 105b in which the at least one sensor element 110 is arranged. The protein filter 132 may be configured to selectively exclude particular proteins or to generally exclude proteins from accessing the second sub-compartment 105b.

[0160] The protein filter 132 may provide filtering of the biological material based on size of pores of the protein filter 132. The protein filter 132 may be provided with pores defining very small openings through the protein filter 132, such as having pore sizes smaller than 50 nm, such as smaller than 10 nm.

[0161] It should be realized that, in some embodiments, there is no need for filtering of proteins for excluding entry of proteins into the second sub-compartment 105b. Thus, the protein filter 132 may not be needed or necessarily used.

[0162] The sensor device 100 may be formed from a plurality of stacked plates forming a stack with the stacked plates bonded to each other at edges of the sensor device 100. Each layer in the sensor device 100 may be formed from a separate plate, wherein the plates define walls of the sensor device 100 extending throughout the layer or define side walls forming spacer elements so as to allow defining compartments 104, 106 in the sensor device 100.

[0163] The at least one sensor receptor element 110 may be formed on a first plate that carries the at least one sensor receptor element 110. The sensor device 100 may further comprise a second plate and a third plate, wherein the second plate defines a spacing between the first plate and the second plate when the plates are bonded together for forming a compartment 104, 106 of the sensor device 100.

[0164] The biocompatible enclosure 102 may be formed from a single material such that a same biocompatible material may be used for all plates. This may facilitate bonding of the plates together. However, it should be realized that different materials may be used for different plates.

[0165] The sensor device 100 is suited for being implantable in a human or animal body. An entire exterior surface of the sensor device 100 may be defined by a biocompatible material such that the sensor device 100 will not be attacked by an active immune system of the human being or animal in which the sensor device 100 is implanted.

[0166] Referring now to FIG. 2, a sensor device 200 according to a second embodiment will be described.

[0167] The sensor device 200 has many features in common with the sensor device 100 of the first embodiment. Only the features differing from the first embodiment will be discussed in detail.

[0168] Thus, the sensor device 200 may comprise a biocompatible enclosure 202 defining a first compartment 204, with a first sub-compartment 205a and a second sub-compartment 205b, and a second compartment 206. The sensor device 200 may comprise a substrate 212 carrying an electronic or photonic circuitry 214 in the second compartment 206. The sensor device 200 may further comprise an inlet opening 220 and an outlet opening 222 for controlling flow of the biological material into the first compartment 204.

[0169] The sensor device 200 may further comprise an internal wall 224 with a membrane area 226 defining through-going openings 228, the internal wall 224 separating the first sub-compartment 205a and the second sub-compartment 205b. The sensor device 200 may further comprise a protective coating 230 on the membrane area 226 and a protein filter 232 on or below the membrane area 226.

[0170] In contrast to the sensor device 100 of the first embodiment, the sensor device 200 of the second embodiment 200 comprises at least one sensor receptor element 210 and at least one sensor transducer element 216 configured to communicate wirelessly through the barrier 208. For instance, the at least one sensor transducer element 216 may be configured to transmit an interrogation electromagnetic signal through the barrier 208 to the at least one sensor receptor element 210 and to receive a response signal from the at least one sensor receptor element 210 for reading out a signal from the at least one sensor receptor element 210.

[0171] The communication between the at least one sensor transducer element 216 and the at least one sensor receptor element 210 may be performed via a light signal. The substrate 212 may be configured to carry a photonic integrated circuit providing processing and/or transport of optical signals from the at least one sensor transducer element 216. However, even when the communication between the at least one sensor transducer element 216 and the at least one sensor receptor element 210 is performed via light signals, the at least one sensor transducer element 216 may still output an electrical signal and may be arranged in an electronic circuitry.

[0172] The at least one sensor transducer element 216 may comprise a light emitting diode (LED) or any other light source for generating the light signal forming the interrogation signal. The at least one sensor transducer element 216 may further comprise a photodetector for detecting the response signal from the at least one sensor receptor element 210.

[0173] The interrogation electromagnetic signal may alternatively use another frequency, which is not optical, so as to enable communicating for example through capacitive or inductive communication. For instance, the communication between the at least one sensor transducer element 216 and the at least one sensor receptor element 210 may then use a signal frequency in a range of 10 mHz-1 GHz. The at least one sensor transducer element 216 may thus receive a response signal representative of an electrical property of the at least one sensor receptor element 210, such as a response signal representative of a potential, charge, or impedance of the at least one sensor receptor element 210.

[0174] The at least one sensor receptor element 210 may comprise materials deposited in a desired location at the first surface of the barrier 208 for selective interaction with specific target analytes. For instance, the at least one sensor receptor element 210 may comprise ion selective membranes, ion exchange membranes, ionophores, enzymes, antibodies, nanobodies, DNA, aptamers, molecularly imprinted polymers, organelles, cells, or optically active materials, such as fluorophores, phosphors, electrochemiluminescent or photoelectrochemical materials, or surface plasmon metal films.

[0175] The substrate 212 carrying electronic or photonic circuitry 214 may be arranged in contact with the second surface of the barrier 208 and may be attached to the second surface of the barrier 208, e.g., using an optical grade epoxy. Thus, the arrangement of the substrate 212 in relation to the barrier 208 may be configured to facilitate optical communication through the barrier 208.

[0176] It should be realized that communication between the at least one sensor transducer element 216 and the at least one sensor receptor element 210 using an interrogation electromagnetic signal may be used in other embodiments with different arrangements of the biocompatible enclosure. Thus, although the following third, fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments of the sensor device illustrate use of conducting material through the barrier for communicating between the at least one sensor transducer element and the at least one sensor receptor element, it should be realized that communication using interrogation electromagnetic signals may be used instead.

[0177] It should be further realized that at least one sensor receptor element 110 conductively connected to a transducer 116 as described in the first embodiment above may be combined with at least one further sensor receptor element 210 electromagnetically interrogated by a further transducer element 216, and that such combination may be provided in a single sensor device.

[0178] Referring now to FIG. 3, a sensor device 300 according to a third embodiment will be described.

[0179] The sensor device 300 has many features in common with the sensor devices of the first and second embodiments. Only the features differing from these embodiments will be discussed in detail.

[0180] Thus, the sensor device 300 may comprise a biocompatible enclosure 302 defining a first compartment 304 and a second compartment 306. The sensor device 300 may comprise a substrate 312 carrying an electronic or photonic circuitry 314 in the second compartment 306.

[0181] The sensor device 300 may further comprise at least one sensor receptor element 310 arranged at a first surface of a barrier 308. The electronic or photonic circuitry 314 may further comprise at least one sensor transducer element 316 configured to communicate with the at least one sensor receptor element 310 through the barrier 308.

[0182] The at least one sensor transducer element 316 may be configured to communicate with the at least one sensor receptor element 310 through an electrical contact between the at least one sensor transducer element 316 and the at least one sensor receptor element 310. The barrier 308 may in this regard comprise through-going holes filled by a conducting material 318.

[0183] The first compartment 304 of the sensor device 300 is not separated into two sub-compartments. Rather, the first compartment 304 comprises a wall 324 defining an outer surface of the sensor device 300. The wall 324 comprises a membrane area 326 defining through-going openings 328. The sensor device 300 may further comprise a protective coating 330 on the membrane area 326 and a protein filter 332 on or below the membrane area 326. It should however be realized that the membrane area 326 may be used without the protective coating 330 and/or the protein filter 332.

[0184] Thus, the wall 324 comprising a membrane area 326 may define an external surface of the sensor device 300 through which a flow of the biological material may be provided into the first compartment 304. The through-going openings 328 of the membrane area 326, possibly together with the protein filter 332, may therefore control flow of biological material into the first compartment 304.

[0185] The sensor device 300 according to the third embodiment may be suitable for use when the sensor device 300 is arranged in a fluid, such as when the sensor device 300 is to be implanted and arranged in contact with a body fluid or when the sensor device 300 is to be used in a bioreactor. Alternatively, on the external surface of the wall 324 microneedles may be positioned, to control flow of biological material into the first compartment 304. These microneedles allow the sensor device 300 to be used as a transdermal sensor that is wearable on the external skin, for measurement of body fluids collected and transported by the microneedles through the skin.

[0186] Referring now to FIG. 4, a sensor device 400 according to a fourth embodiment will be described.

[0187] The sensor device 400 has many features in common with the sensor devices of the first, second, and third embodiments. Only the features differing from these embodiments will be discussed in detail.

[0188] Thus, the sensor device 400 may comprise a biocompatible enclosure 402 defining a first compartment 404, with a first sub-compartment 405a and a second sub-compartment 405b. The sensor device 400 may further comprise an inlet opening 420 and an outlet opening 422 for controlling flow of the biological material into the first compartment 404.

[0189] The sensor device 400 may further comprise an internal wall 424 with a membrane area 426 defining through-going openings 428, the internal wall 424 separating the first sub-compartment 405a and the second sub-compartment 405b. The sensor device 400 may further comprise a protective coating 430 on the membrane area 426 and a protein filter 432 on or below the membrane area 426.

[0190] The sensor device 400 may further comprise at least one sensor receptor element 410 arranged at a first surface of a barrier 408. The electronic or photonic circuitry 414 may further comprise at least one sensor transducer element 416 configured to communicate with the at least one sensor receptor element 410 through the barrier 408.

[0191] The at least one sensor transducer element 416 may be configured to communicate with the at least one sensor receptor element 410 through an electrical contact between the at least one sensor transducer element 416 and the at least one sensor receptor element 410. The barrier 408 may in this regard comprise through-going holes filled by a conducting material 418.

[0192] The sensor device 400 may comprise a substrate 412 carrying an electronic or photonic circuitry 414, which comprises the at least one sensor transducer element 416. In contrast to the first, second, and third embodiments, the substrate 412 is not arranged in a compartment of the biocompatible enclosure 402. Therefore, the barrier 408 forms an exterior surface of the biocompatible enclosure 402.

[0193] The sensor device 400 may be used in an application wherein the substrate 412 will not be exposed to biological material. For instance, the sensor device 400 may be used when the sensor device 400 is arranged externally to a human or animal body, or at least the substrate 412 is arranged externally to the human or animal body. Further, the flow of biological material may be well-controlled into the first compartment 404. For instance, that the flow of biological material may be transported through channels or conduits into and out of the first compartment 404 such that it may be ensured that the substrate 412 is not exposed to the flow of biological material.

[0194] Since the substrate 412 is not arranged in a hermetically sealed compartment, the electronic or photonic circuitry 414 may be more easily connected or connectable to external devices. For instance, the electronic or photonic circuitry 414 may be physically connected to an external device, e.g., through a wire, so as to allow wired communication between the electronic or photonic circuitry 414 and the external device.

[0195] Referring now to FIG. 5, a sensor device 500 according to a fifth embodiment will be described.

[0196] The sensor device 500 has features in common with the sensor devices of the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments. Only the features differing from these embodiments will be discussed in detail.

[0197] Thus, the sensor device 500 may comprise a biocompatible enclosure 502 defining a first compartment 504. The sensor device 500 may further comprise an inlet opening 520 and an outlet opening 522 for controlling flow of the biological material into the first compartment 504.

[0198] The sensor device 500 does not include any internal wall of the first compartment 504. Further, the sensor device 500 does not include any membrane area or protein filter for controlling particles or substances that are allowed to enter the compartment 504 in which the at least one sensor receptor element 510 is arranged. It should be realized that in some applications, no filtering of the biological material is needed.

[0199] The sensor device 500 may further comprise at least one sensor receptor element 510 arranged at a first surface of a barrier 508. The electronic or photonic circuitry 514 may further comprise at least one sensor transducer element 516 configured to communicate with the at least one sensor receptor element 510 through the barrier 508.

[0200] The at least one sensor transducer element 516 may be configured to communicate with the at least one sensor receptor element 510 through an electrical contact between the at least one sensor transducer element 516 and the at least one sensor receptor element 510. The barrier 508 may in this regard comprise through-going holes filled by a conducting material 518.

[0201] The sensor device 500 may comprise a substrate 512 carrying an electronic or photonic circuitry 514, which comprises the at least one sensor transducer element 516. Similar to the fourth embodiment, the substrate 512 is illustrated as not being arranged in a compartment of the biocompatible enclosure 502. Therefore, the barrier 508 forms an exterior surface of the biocompatible enclosure 502. However, it should be realized that the sensor device 500 which does not have any filtering of the flow of biological material may comprise a hermetically sealed second compartment in which the substrate 512 is arranged.

[0202] Referring now to FIG. 6, a sensor device 600 according to a sixth embodiment will be described.

[0203] The sensor device 600 has features in common with the sensor devices of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth embodiments. Only the features differing from these embodiments will be discussed in detail.

[0204] The sensor device 600 comprises a biocompatible enclosure 602 forming a compartment 606. The sensor device 600 further comprises a substrate 612 carrying an electronic or photonic circuitry 614 in the compartment 606.

[0205] The sensor device 600 may further comprise at least one sensor receptor element 610 arranged at a first surface of a barrier 608. The electronic or photonic circuitry 614 may further comprise at least one sensor transducer element 616 configured to communicate with the at least one sensor receptor element 610 through the barrier 608.

[0206] The at least one sensor transducer element 616 may be configured to communicate with the at least one sensor receptor element 610 through an electrical contact between the at least one sensor transducer element 616 and the at least one sensor receptor element 610. The barrier 608 may in this regard comprise through-going holes filled by a conducting material 618.

[0207] The sensor device 600 comprises the substrate 612 arranged in a hermetically sealed compartment 606. Thus, the substrate 612 with the electronic or photonic circuitry 614 is protected from making contact with biological material. The sensor device 600 is therefore suited for being arranged in an environment comprising biological material, such as being implanted in the human or animal body or being arranged in a bioreactor.

[0208] The at least one sensor receptor element 610 is not arranged in any compartment of the sensor device 600. Thus, the sensor device 600 does not provide any control of flow of biological material and the at least one sensor receptor element 610 is exposed at the first surface of the barrier 608.

[0209] The sensor device 600 may be useful when there is no need for controlling flow of biological material that is to be sensed by the at least one sensor receptor element 610 but there is still a need to protect the electronic or photonic circuitry 614 comprising the at least one sensor transducer element 616 from making contact with the biological material.

[0210] Referring now to FIG. 7, the use of stacked plates for forming the sensor device 100 will be discussed in more detail. It should however be realized that any of the sensor device according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth embodiments may be formed using stacked plates.

[0211] As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of plates 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, and 152 may be used for forming the sensor device 100. Each plate may define a layer in the sensor device 100. The different plates may be separately manufactured, such that each plate is first manufactured individually before the plates are assembled for forming a finalized sensor device 100.

[0212] This implies that the manufacturing of each individual plate need only take into account requirements for the specific manufacturing of the plate and need not be limited to materials or properties (temperature, etc.) according to requirements for manufacturing of other plates.

[0213] The forming of the sensor device 100 includes a bottom plate 140 formed from a biocompatible material, wherein the bottom plate 140 will define a bottom of the second compartment 106. The bottom plate 140 may be formed by a homogeneous plate of biocompatible material, for instance glass.

[0214] The forming of the sensor device 100 further includes a first spacer plate 142. The first spacer plate 142 defines edges of the sensor device 100 and defines a spacing between the edges, in which the substrate 112 carrying the electronic or photonic circuitry 114 may be arranged. The first spacer plate 142 may be formed from a biocompatible material.

[0215] The forming of the sensor device 100 further includes a barrier plate 144. The barrier plate 144 defines the barrier 108 which separates the at least sensor receptor element 110 from the at least one sensor transducer element 116. The barrier plate 144 may be formed from a biocompatible material.

[0216] When the sensor receptor element 110 and the at least one sensor transducer element 116 are configured to communicate through electrical contact, through-going holes may first be etched through the barrier plate 144 and these through-going holes may then be filled by conducting material 118 (e.g., copper). Alternatively, the barrier plate 144 is produced by filling the space between conductive cylinders forming the conducting material 118 (e.g., tungsten) with hot molten glass and subsequently solidified. Thereafter, metals for forming the at least one sensor receptor element 110 in the form of electrodes may be deposited on the barrier plate 144. The metals may include materials that are not compatible with CMOS processing, such as carbon, gold, silver, and platinum.

[0217] The first spacer plate 142 may comprise structures onto which the substrate 112 may be mounted such that the first spacer plate 142 may carry the substrate 112 when the sensor device 100 is to be mounted. However, according to an alternative, the substrate 112 may be mounted to the bottom plate 140 or to the barrier plate 144 before or after the first spacer plate 142 is arranged around the substrate 112.

[0218] The substrate 112 may be manufactured individually, for example by semiconductor processing, such as CMOS processing, or flat panel display processing on glass, or printed circuit board processing. The electronic or photonic circuitry 114 may thus be formed before the substrate 112 is mounted for forming the sensor device 100.

[0219] The substrate 112 may be mounted by arranging the substrate 112 in contact with the second surface of the barrier 108. The substrate 112 may then be bonded, such as thermally bonded, to the barrier plate 144 using solder bumps, conductive epoxy, or ball grid arrays for also connecting the at least one transducer element 116 to the conducting material 118.

[0220] If the at least one sensor receptor element 110 and the at least one sensor transducer element 116 are to communicate through an interrogation electromagnetic signal, the substrate 112 may also be arranged in contact with the second surface of the barrier 108 and bonded to the barrier plate 144. The bonding of the substrate 112 to the barrier plate 144 may for instance be achieved using optical grade epoxy.

[0221] If the at least one sensor receptor element 110 is to be provided with materials for selective capturing of a target analyte, such materials may be deposited after the substrate 112 has been bonded to the second surface of the barrier 108. In such case, the materials may be deposited using low temperature processes (so as not to harm the substrate 112).

[0222] The forming of the sensor device 100 further includes a second spacer plate 146. The second spacer plate 146 defines edges of the sensor device 100 and defines a spacing between the edges defining the second sub-compartment 105b, in which the at least one sensor receptor element 110 may be arranged. The second spacer plate 146 may be formed from a biocompatible material.

[0223] The forming of the sensor device 100 further includes a membrane plate 148. The membrane plate 148 defines an internal wall 124 of the first compartment 104. Through-going openings 128 may be etched through the internal wall 124 for forming a membrane area 126. Further, a protective coating 130 may be provided on the membrane area 126. Also, a protein filter 132 may be provided above or below the membrane area 126. The membrane plate 148 may be formed from a biocompatible material through which the through-going openings 128 are defined.

[0224] The forming of the sensor device 100 further includes a third spacer plate 150. The third spacer plate 150 defines edges of the sensor device 100 and defines a spacing between the edges defining the first sub-compartment 105a into which a flow of biological material is received. The third spacer plate 150 may be formed from a biocompatible material.

[0225] The forming of the sensor device 100 further includes a top plate 152 formed from a biocompatible material, wherein the top plate 152 will define a top of the first compartment 104. The top plate 152 may be formed by a homogeneous plate of biocompatible material, for instance glass. Further, inlet openings 120 and outlet openings 122 may be defined through the top plate 152.

[0226] It should be realized that the plates may define structures of a plurality of sensor devices 100 such that the plates may be used for parallel manufacturing of a plurality of sensor devices 100 on wafer-level. Thus, the edges of the sensor device 100 may constitute interior walls within the plates.

[0227] The edges of the plates may be bonded to each other for forming of the assembled sensor device 100. The bonding of the edges may be done by laser welding. This may for instance be suitable if the plates are formed from glass.

[0228] Referring now to FIG. 8, a method for manufacturing a sensor device will be further described.

[0229] The method comprises stacking 802 at least three plates. The three plates may each be formed of biocompatible material.

[0230] The at least three plates comprise a first plate comprising a barrier formed from biocompatible and electrically insulating material, wherein the barrier has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface and wherein at least one sensor receptor element is arranged at the first surface of the barrier.

[0231] The method further comprises arranging 804 a substrate at the second surface of the barrier, wherein the substrate carries an electronic or photonic circuitry comprising at least one sensor transducer element for reading out signals from the at least one sensor receptor element by communication through the barrier.

[0232] The method further comprises bonding 806 edges of at least one sensor device in the at least three plates to each other so as to form a biocompatible enclosure defining at least one compartment, wherein the biocompatible enclosure comprises the barrier of the first plate and wherein the at least one compartment is configured to control transport of the biological material into the compartment or wherein the at least one compartment is configured to form a hermetical seal around the substrate carrying the electronic or photonic circuitry. The bonding of the edges may comprise laser welding of the edges for forming a bond.

[0233] The three plates may comprise a second plate forming a spacer. Thus, the compartment may be formed between the first plate and the third plate with the second plate defining side walls of the compartment.

[0234] When the at least one compartment is configured to control transport of the biological material into the compartment, the at least one sensor receptor element is arranged in the compartment. Thus, in such case, the second and third plates may be arranged in relation to the first surface of the first plate such that the at least one sensor receptor element will be arranged within the compartment.

[0235] When the at least one compartment is configured to form a hermetical seal around the substrate, the second and third plates may be arranged in relation to the second surface of the first plate such that the substrate will be arranged within the compartment.

[0236] It should be realized that two compartments may be formed by stacking further plates, such that the sensor device may be manufactured to both control transport of the biological material into a first compartment and to form a hermetical seal around the substrate in a second compartment.

[0237] In the above the inventive concept has mainly been described with reference to a limited number of examples. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other examples than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the inventive concept, as defined by the appended claims.