Assay Cartridge Segmentation Pneumatic Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiwell plates for assays are highly manual, prone to human error, and do not provide precise, repeatable, automated, quantitative results for ELISAs and other assays, lacking the scalability and flexibility offered by multiwell 'strip' capability.
Innovation Solution
A multi-use assay cartridge comprising multiple layers, including a label, reservoir, control, membrane, and fluidic layers, with pneumatic and optical components, that allows for automated fluid handling and precise control of assays across multiple assay strips, enabling high-quality, scalable, and repeatable results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiwell plates are used for assays, then flexibility in adjusting the number of tests is improved, but automation capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The microplate is divided into separable strips that can be independently removed and used. Each strip contains a defined set of wells that can be tested independently, allowing the system to adapt to different assay sizes while maintaining automated fluid handling capabilities through the integrated cartridge design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge design integrates multiple functions including fluid reservoirs, pneumatic control channels, and assay wells into a single standardized platform. This universal design allows the same automated system to handle various assay configurations by simply changing the strip configuration rather than requiring different automated equipment.
2Device complexity
If manual operations are used with multiwell plates, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge incorporates self-contained fluid management systems with integrated reservoirs and automated dispensing mechanisms. The pneumatic control channels automatically regulate fluid flow through the assay strips without requiring manual intervention, ensuring precise and repeatable measurements while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
3Measurement precision
If automated fluid handling is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The design merges fluid reservoirs, pneumatic control channels, and assay wells into an integrated cartridge structure. By combining these functions into a single unified platform with interconnected channels, the system achieves automated fluid handling and precise measurement capabilities without requiring multiple separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
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 cartridge provides automated, precise, and scalable assay performance, reducing human error and increasing flexibility by allowing multiple assays to be run on a single cartridge with minimal manual intervention, achieving high-quality and repeatable results.
Implementation Method 1
pneumatic control
Data Source
AI summary
A microfluidic device for conducting a fluid assay includes an injection-molded (or “molded”) fluidics layer having at least one microfluidic channel configured to allow assay fluids to flow there-along, the channel having channel side walls, a channel bottom, and a channel 3D geometry, and the fluidics layer being made from injection-molded liquid silicone (or PDMS). Having the fluidics layer made from injection molded liquid silicone enables smaller-sized channel features, such as microfluidic valves and pistons, smaller channel dimensions and spacing (providing smaller device footprint, higher device capacity and other benefits), and various geometries for the channels and channel features.