Anti-adsorption Agent for Sample Mixing in Analysis Cartridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biological fluid samples, such as whole blood, experience non-uniform distribution of constituents and reagent issues due to settling and adsorption, leading to inaccurate analysis, especially when samples are quiescently held or when reagents are not properly dissolved or distributed within the analysis chamber.
Innovation Solution
An analysis cartridge system with a sample mixing system that uses capillary forces and bidirectional actuators to ensure uniform distribution of constituents and reagents within the sample, incorporating anti-adsorption agents and dissolution additives to prevent settling and adsorption, and strategically positioning reagents for effective mixing and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a biological fluid sample is quiescently held for more than a given period of time, then the sample can be stored and transported, but constituents within the sample will settle out and stratify, leading to non-uniform distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic mixing actions through bidirectional actuators that oscillate the sample back and forth between mixing chambers and a holding chamber. This periodic motion prevents settling and stratification of blood constituents during storage, maintaining uniform distribution without requiring continuous agitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static sample holding approach into a dynamic system where the sample is continuously moved between chambers using bidirectional actuators. This dynamic mixing approach ensures constituents remain suspended and uniformly distributed throughout the storage period.
2Reliability
If reagents are deposited within the cartridge in particulate or crystalline form, then they can be stored stably, but they may not dissolve properly with the sample, leading to undissolved particles or localized high concentrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-mixes reagents with dissolution additives before depositing them in particulate or crystalline form within the cartridge. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the sample flows through the mixing chambers, the reagents will dissolve properly and uniformly without forming undissolved particles or localized high concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dissolution additives as intermediary substances that facilitate the dissolution of reagents in their particulate or crystalline form. These additives act as mediators between the solid reagents and the liquid sample, ensuring complete and uniform dissolution during the mixing process.
3Ease of operation
If constituents within a fluid sample adhere to the surfaces of a fluid passage, then the sample can be handled through the device, but the sample available for analysis becomes non-representative, affecting accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-adsorption treatments to the fluid passage surfaces before the sample comes into contact with them. By pre-coating the surfaces with anti-adsorption agents, the patent prevents constituents from adhering to the passage walls during sample handling, ensuring the sample remains representative for accurate analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces anti-adsorption agents as intermediary substances that prevent direct adhesion between sample constituents and the fluid passage surfaces. These agents act as protective intermediaries, allowing the sample to be handled through the device without loss of constituents to the walls.
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 system ensures accurate and reliable analysis by maintaining uniform distribution of constituents and reagents, reducing adsorption and ensuring effective reagent dissolution, thereby enhancing the precision and reliability of biological fluid analysis.
Implementation Method 1
A sample mixing system is provided which uses capillary forces and bidirectional actuators to ensure uniform distribution of constituents and reagents within the sample
Implementation Method 2
The term 'adsorption' as used herein refers to the tendency of fluid sample, or parts thereof, to adhere to the surfaces of a fluid passage
Implementation Method 3
In those embodiments where it is desirable to deposit one or more reagents within the cartridge for admixing with the sample, the reagents may be in a form (e.g., particulate form, crystalline form, low solubility, etc.) that inhibits dissolution with the sample
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and method for analysing a biological fluid sample is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) providing an analysis cartridge having a channel and an analysis chamber, wherein the channel is in fluid communication with the analysis chamber and includes at least one hydrophobic interior wall surface; b) ad-mixing one or more anti-adsorption agents with fluid sample disposed within the channel, wherein the anti-adsorption agents are operable to inhibit adsorption of fluid sample onto the interior wall surface of the channel; c) moving the fluid sample into the analysis chamber; and d) analysing the sample within the analysis chamber.