Analysis Substrate With Stimulus-Responsive Isolators for Multiplexed Biomarker Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid biopsy techniques face limitations in analyzing multiple biomarkers simultaneously due to constraints in fluorescent dye usage and light sources, which restricts the number of colors that can be multiplexed and hampers the analysis efficiency of fine particles like EVs, viruses, and bacteria.
Innovation Solution
The proposed analysis system employs an analysis substrate with multiple capture regions and stimulus-responsive isolators that change wettability in response to temperature or light stimuli, allowing for the separation of the substrate surface into distinct regions. This enables the simultaneous analysis of multiple biomarkers on a single substrate by preventing the mixing of different labeling reagents and specimens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluorescent dyes and light sources are used to increase the number of multiplexed colors, then the analysis capability of multiple biomarkers is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from fluorescence-based optical detection to Raman spectroscopy-based detection. Raman spectroscopy uses inelastic scattering of light to obtain molecular fingerprint information, requiring only a single laser light source instead of multiple fluorescent dyes and light sources. This parameter change maintains the ability to distinguish multiple biomarkers while significantly reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a single substrate with multiple capture regions, where each region is functionalized with different capture molecules specific to different biomarkers. This allows multiple biomarkers to be analyzed simultaneously on one substrate without requiring multiple separate substrates or complex multi-color imaging systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluorescent dyes and light sources are used to increase the number of multiplexed colors, then the analysis capability of multiple biomarkers is improved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from fluorescence detection requiring multiple expensive light sources and filters to Raman spectroscopy using a single laser source. This parameter change significantly reduces the cost of the detection system while maintaining the capability to analyze multiple biomarkers simultaneously through molecular fingerprint identification
Solution Approach 2:
A single substrate design with multiple capture regions functionalized with different capture molecules serves multiple functions: capturing different biomarkers, providing Raman enhancement for each marker, and enabling simultaneous multiplexed analysis. This universal substrate reduces the need for multiple specialized components, thereby reducing overall system cost
3Device complexity
If the number of fluorescent dyes is limited to about four colors, then the device complexity is reduced, but the analysis efficiency and throughput of fine particle analysis deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection mechanism from fluorescence to Raman spectroscopy, which provides unique molecular fingerprint spectra for different biomarkers. This allows for the simultaneous analysis of many more biomarkers (limited only by the number of capture regions on the substrate) using a single detection system, thereby improving analysis efficiency without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate is segmented into multiple independent capture regions, each functionalized with a specific capture molecule for a different biomarker. This segmentation allows parallel analysis of multiple biomarkers on a single substrate, significantly improving throughput while maintaining simple device architecture with a single detection system
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 approach significantly improves the analysis efficiency and throughput by allowing the simultaneous analysis of multiple biomarkers on a single substrate, overcoming the limitations of current techniques and enhancing the capability to analyze fine particles.
Implementation Method 1
stimulus-responsive isolators that change wettability in response to temperature or light stimuli
Implementation Method 2
stimulus-responsive isolators that change wettability in response to temperature or light stimuli
Implementation Method 3
an analysis substrate, and a plurality of first isolators 22 whose wettability changes in response to a stimulus
Data Source
AI summary
An analysis substrate according to an embodiment is an analysis substrate for performing analysis on fine particles, and includes a plurality of capture regions that capture the fine particles; and a plurality of first isolators whose wettability changes in response to a stimulus, the plurality of first isolators being provided along a first direction between the capture regions.