Biological Assay Temperature Compensation for Accurate Analyte Readout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biological assays, particularly immunoassays, suffer from inaccurate quantitative outputs due to reagents being outside the recommended temperature range, requiring temperature-controlled systems that increase system footprint and impose user limitations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that measure reagent temperature and correct analyte amounts based on temperature data, using a correction function specific to the reagent, to improve assay accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If reagents are pre-conditioned to recommended temperature ranges, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter of reagents dynamically during the assay process using integrated heating elements, allowing reagents to reach optimal temperature at the moment of use rather than requiring pre-conditioning. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating time loss while maintaining measurement precision through active temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The assay system performs self-service temperature control by incorporating heating elements and temperature sensors directly in the assay cartridge, enabling the system to automatically adjust reagent temperature without external intervention. This eliminates the need for separate pre-conditioning equipment and reduces overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If reagents are pre-conditioned to recommended temperature ranges, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges temperature control functions (heating elements, sensors, and control circuitry) directly into the assay cartridge structure, combining what were previously separate pre-conditioning equipment into a single integrated unit. This reduces system footprint while maintaining the ability to control reagent temperature for accurate measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated temperature control system allows the assay cartridge to self-regulate its own temperature during the assay, eliminating the need for external pre-conditioning equipment. The system uses its own built-in heating elements and sensors to maintain optimal temperature, reducing overall device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If reagents are maintained at recommended temperature ranges, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to perform assays with reagents at any stored temperature by automatically controlling temperature during the assay process. The built-in heating elements and sensors compensate for temperature variations, making the system as easy to operate whether reagents are stored at room temperature or refrigerated, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining precision.
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 biological assay results even when reagents are thermally biased, reducing system size and user inconvenience by maintaining reagents outside recommended temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a heating system configured to heat the cartridge
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the cartridge or of the reagent
Implementation Method 3
applying to the digital signal a correction function specific to the reagent, to provide a corrected signal
Data Source
AI summary
A method of conducting a biological assay, comprises obtaining data corelative to a temperature of a reagent, mixing the reagent with a sample to provide a mixture, receiving from the mixture a signal indicative of an amount of an analyte in the sample, and correcting the amount based on the obtained data and on a type of the reagent.