Assay Device Microflow Separating Flow Passage Surface Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assay devices struggle to stably replace liquids inside microflow passages, especially when dealing with liquids having small interfacial tensions or those affected by surface treatments like blocking treatments.
Innovation Solution
The assay device incorporates a microflow passage with a separating flow passage and a liquid absorbing material, featuring a flow passage surface changing portion to promote liquid separation and stability, even with liquids of low interfacial tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a liquid with small interfacial tension is injected into the microflow passage, then the liquid can flow through the passage, but the liquid cannot stably stay inside the microflow passage and cannot maintain a stable shape
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different surface properties to different regions of the flow passage. The microflow passage has a blocking treatment that reduces interfacial tension locally, while the separating flow passage has a hydrophobic coating that increases interfacial tension locally. This local differentiation allows the liquid to flow smoothly through the microflow passage while being stably retained at the separation interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The separating flow passage acts as an intermediary element between the microflow passage and the liquid absorbing material. It provides a controlled interface where liquid separation occurs, using its hydrophobic surface properties to prevent liquid leakage while allowing air circulation and liquid absorption to proceed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a blocking treatment is applied to the microflow passage surface, then multi-stage reactions can be performed, but the interfacial tension is weakened and liquid replacement becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different surface treatments to different regions: the microflow passage receives a blocking treatment (e.g., BSA coating) that enables multi-stage biochemical reactions, while the separating flow passage receives a hydrophobic coating (e.g., silane treatment) that maintains high interfacial tension. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize its function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow passage system is segmented into functionally distinct regions: the microflow passage for biochemical reactions, the separating flow passage for liquid separation and air circulation, and the liquid absorbing material for liquid removal. Each segment has optimized surface properties tailored to its specific function.
3Productivity
If air circulation is implemented in the microflow passage, then liquid replacement can be performed, but air mixture occurs and prevents stable liquid replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The separating flow passage serves as an intermediary zone that mediates between air circulation requirements and liquid stability. It allows air to circulate for liquid replacement while its hydrophobic surface prevents liquid from leaking into the air circulation path, thus maintaining liquid integrity throughout the replacement process.
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 configuration enables stable liquid replacement within the microflow passage, preventing air mixture and ensuring consistent assay performance, particularly in biochemical tests using sample solutions with low interfacial tensions.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid absorbing material that absorbs the liquid that has passed through the inner flow passage
Implementation Method 2
the separating flow passage including a flow passage surface changing portion that provides a change in a surface of the separating flow passage with which the liquid comes into contact
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an assay device that enables a liquid to be stably replaced inside a microflow passage even in a case of a liquid with a relatively small interfacial tension and a microflow passage with an interfacial tension weakened due to a surface treatment such as a blocking treatment. The assay device includes: an inlet 2; an inner flow passage 3 through which a liquid injected from inlet 2 flows; and a liquid absorbing material 4 that absorbs the liquid that has passed through inner flow passage 3, the inner flow passage 3 includes a microflow passage 31 that includes an assay region 31c and a separating flow passage 32 that is provided between the microflow passage 31 and the liquid absorbing material 4 for separating the liquid therein when injection of the liquid is stopped, and the separating flow passage 32 includes a flow passage surface changing portion that provides a change in a surface of the separating flow passage 32 with which the liquid comes into contact.