Assay Device with Puncturable Seal and Delay Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lateral flow assay devices require manual insertion of an extraction solution, leading to potential errors and delays in sample preparation, as they lack the ability to prevent premature insertion of the sample stick and ensure adequate mixture time for analyte interaction with reactants.
Innovation Solution
An assay device with a housing containing separate liquid chambers that mix prior to sample insertion, featuring a puncturable seal mechanism and a delay mechanism to ensure proper solution preparation and interaction, allowing sample insertion only after liquid extraction and mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual insertion of extraction solution is required, then device operation is simple, but insertion errors and delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction solution is pre-loaded into the housing in sealed liquid chambers before the sample stick is inserted. The puncturing elements are pre-positioned to pierce the seals automatically when the sample stick is inserted, eliminating the need for manual insertion operations and preventing timing errors.
2Productivity
If sample stick insertion is allowed immediately, then device operation is fast, but premature interaction errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The device prepares the extraction solution in advance within sealed chambers, but the actual mixing and interaction only occurs after the sample stick punctures the seals and initiates the extraction process. This ensures the sample stick cannot be inserted until the solution is ready, preventing premature interaction errors while maintaining fast operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed liquid chambers act as an intermediary between the pre-prepared extraction solution and the sample stick. The seals prevent premature contact, and the puncturing mechanism controls the timing of interaction, ensuring accuracy without delaying the overall process.
3Device complexity
If solution preparation is delayed until sample insertion, then device complexity is low, but interaction time is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction solution is pre-prepared and stored in sealed chambers within the housing before sample insertion. This allows the solution to be ready in advance, providing sufficient interaction time from the moment the sample stick punctures the seals, without requiring complex pre-mixing mechanisms.
4Ease of manufacture
If manual extraction solution insertion is used, then manufacturing cost is low, but operational errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction solution is pre-loaded into sealed chambers during manufacturing, eliminating the need for manual insertion operations. This simple modification to the device structure significantly improves operational reliability by preventing insertion errors, while keeping manufacturing costs low through the use of simple sealed chambers and puncturing elements.
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
Ensures accurate and timely preparation of the solution before sample interaction, preventing errors and ensuring effective analyte detection by allowing controlled sample insertion and delayed interaction with reactants.
Implementation Method 1
a lid which is capable of being actuated to enable the puncturing or removal of the openable liquid seal (of each liquid chamber) by a corresponding puncturing element that is located within said housing
Implementation Method 2
a mixing chamber located at said housing which is adapted for containing a solution that is a product of the one more types of liquid as received from each liquid chamber
Implementation Method 3
wherein said mixing chamber is further adapted to receive a sample to interact with said solution
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an assay device for determining the presence and/or amount of an analyte of interest in a sample, the assay device comprising: a) a housing that includes a liquid receiving unit that is adapted to accommodate one or more types of liquid; b) a mixing chamber adapted for containing a solution that is a product of one more types of liquid, and for receiving a sample to interact with said solution; c) an actuating lid which is capable of being actuated to enable the transfer of the liquid into the mixing chamber; and d) an assay means that is in fluid communication with said mixing chamber for determining the presence and/or amount of an analyte of interest in the sample after the interaction of said sample with said solution in the mixing chamber.