Biological Sample Testing Device with Controlled Reaction Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing immunoassay devices for testing biological samples require significant pre-treatment steps and lack control over reaction speed and timing, leading to inefficient and inaccurate results.
Innovation Solution
A device with a housing and reaction chambers that allows for controlled mixing and incubation of biological samples, using a test cassette with a mechanism for controlled release of the reaction mixture onto a test strip, enabling precise testing of analytes like drugs of abuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional immunoassay devices are used, then the testing process is simple, but significant pre-treatment steps are required and control over reaction speed and timing is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional modules: a reaction chamber for sample preparation, a test chamber for the immunoassay reaction, and a control chamber for reagent storage. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function independently, eliminating the need for manual pre-treatment steps while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reaction chamber is pre-configured with mixing elements and the control chamber contains pre-stored reagents. When the sample is introduced, the system automatically performs mixing and reagent addition without requiring user intervention for pre-treatment, thus reducing pre-treatment time while keeping the operation simple.
2Device complexity
If traditional immunoassay devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but control over reaction speed and timing is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a movable partition wall between the reaction chamber and test chamber that can be dynamically adjusted. This allows control over the timing of reagent mixing and the rate at which the reaction mixture flows into the test chamber, providing precise control over reaction speed and timing without significantly complicating the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A controlled flow channel with adjustable restrictions acts as an intermediary between the reaction chamber and test chamber. This intermediary element regulates the flow rate of the reaction mixture, enabling precise control over reaction timing and speed while maintaining a relatively simple device architecture.
3Ease of operation
If traditional immunoassay devices are used, then the sample introduction is direct, but the quantity of reaction mixture determines reaction speed leading to inefficient or inaccurate results
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates flow sensors and volume measurement mechanisms in the reaction chamber that provide feedback on the quantity of reaction mixture formed. This feedback allows the system to automatically adjust the mixing process and control the exact volume transferred to the test chamber, ensuring precise reaction mixture quantity control while maintaining ease of sample introduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The device replaces manual estimation of reaction mixture volume with automated optical or capacitive sensing systems. These systems precisely measure the volume of liquid in the reaction chamber and control the transfer amount, eliminating the inaccuracies associated with manual quantity determination while keeping the operation simple.
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
Facilitates quick and accurate testing of biological samples by controlling the reaction process, improving the reliability and efficiency of detecting analytes such as amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and other drugs of abuse.
Implementation Method 1
a reaction chamber and a housing that can be placed in fluid communication with one another
Implementation Method 2
as the biological sample is wicked up by the test strip
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for testing a biological sample for an analyte of interest are provided that make use of a reaction chamber for receiving a reaction mixture, a housing positioned below the reaction chamber for receiving a test cassette, and a door that is positioned in the top portion of the housing. The door includes a ramp that extends downwardly into the housing such that biasing the ramp upwards opens the door into the cavity of the reaction chamber and places the reaction chamber in fluid communication with the insertion area to thereby allow the reaction mixture to flow onto a test cassette and allow for the determination of an amount of an analyte of interest.