Biomolecular Processor Nanotube Point-of-Care Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current molecular diagnostics are expensive, time-consuming, and require specialized equipment, limiting their accessibility and frequency of use in healthcare settings, particularly for point-of-care testing and personalized medicine applications.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a biomolecular processor with nanotubes and capture molecules immobilized on solid substrates, capable of processing whole blood to concentrate clinically relevant markers and detect sequence variations using solid-phase ligase detection reaction (spLDR) and electrophoretic mobilities, enabling automated analysis of circulating markers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If centralized laboratory services are used for molecular diagnostics, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but loss of time and productivity are worsened due to slow turnaround times
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized laboratory service is segmented into distributed point-of-care devices. Each device contains integrated components (nanopores, bioreactor chambers, support structures) that perform specific diagnostic functions locally, eliminating the need to transport samples to centralized facilities while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through precise molecular detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system between sample collection and centralized analysis. The point-of-care device with nanopores and capture molecules acts as an intermediary that performs initial molecular detection and preparation, enabling rapid local assessment while allowing optional follow-up at centralized facilities if needed.
2Measurement precision
If specialized equipment and trained technicians are used, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple specialized functions are merged into a single integrated point-of-care device. The nanopores, capture molecules, bioreactor chambers, and detection systems are combined into one compact unit that performs sample processing, molecular capture, and detection automatically, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to perform automated self-service operations. The capture molecules automatically bind to target nucleic acids, the nanopores facilitate selective molecular transport, and the system performs self-detection without requiring manual intervention or specialized technician skills, thereby maintaining high detection accuracy while simplifying operation.
3Measurement precision
If specialized equipment and facilities are required, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and adaptability are worsened for point-of-care applications
Solution Approach 1:
The point-of-care device is designed with universal applicability for various molecular diagnostics applications. The same basic platform with nanopores and capture molecules can detect different target nucleic acids by simply changing the capture molecule specificity, enabling the device to adapt to different diagnostic needs (cancer, infectious diseases, genetic conditions) without requiring specialized equipment for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates locally optimized components tailored for point-of-care use. The nanopores are specifically engineered for selective molecular transport, the capture molecules are immobilized on support structures within compact bioreactor chambers, and the overall design is optimized for local sample processing and immediate results, thereby achieving high detection precision in diverse point-of-care settings.
4Loss of time
If frequent monitoring is implemented, then loss of time for diagnosis is reduced, but loss of substance and productivity are worsened due to repeated testing
Solution Approach 1:
The device extracts and concentrates only the relevant molecular targets from the sample using selective capture molecules. By capturing specific target nucleic acids associated with disease markers and excluding irrelevant components, the system enables frequent monitoring with minimal sample consumption, as only the essential diagnostic information is processed and analyzed.
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 device facilitates rapid, cost-effective, and automated detection of molecular signatures from whole blood, enhancing the ability to monitor patient health and transition molecular diagnostics to clinical practice.
Implementation Method 1
one or more capture molecules immobilized to some or all of said plurality of spaced support structures, said one or more capture molecules suitable to bind to a portion of a target nucleic acid molecule in a sample
Implementation Method 2
detecting an identifying signature of each product as it passes through the one or more nanopores
Implementation Method 3
electrophoretic Time-of-Flight measurements of single DNA molecules
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2A
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a device that comprises a biomolecular processor and one or more nanotubes. Each biomolecular processor comprises a bioreactor chamber defined by a solid substrate, a plurality of spaced support structures within said bioreactor chamber and attached to the solid substrate, and one or more capture molecules immobilized to some or all of said plurality of spaced support structures, said one or more capture molecules suitable to bind to a portion of a target nucleic acid molecule in a sample. The device also comprises one or more nanotubes defined by the solid substrate and fluidically coupled to the bioreactor chamber.