Biosensor Device for Analyte Detection via Electrochemical Signal Amplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional immunoassays are complex, require expensive equipment, and generate biohazardous waste, making them unsuitable for home or field use, and lack simplicity and cost-effectiveness for detecting analytes without the need for centrifugation, dilution, pipetting, washing, or timing steps.
Innovation Solution
A biosensor device with a reaction chamber and detection chamber, utilizing magnetic beads, capillary action, and a probe agent with multiple activating agents, which allows for the detection of analytes without the need for washing or centrifugation, using a simple and cost-effective method to detect analytes through electrochemical reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional immunoassay methods are used, then detection of analytes can be achieved, but the assay procedure becomes complex requiring washing steps, centrifugation, dilution, pipetting, and timing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the binding reaction and detection steps into a single integrated reaction chamber, eliminating the need for separate washing steps. The magnetic beads with bound probe agents react directly with the analyte in the sample, and the complexed probe agents are detected in situ without requiring centrifugation or transfer to another chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the washing step from the conventional immunoassay procedure. By using magnetic beads that can be held in place by a magnetic field within the reaction chamber, the system removes the need for centrifugation-based washing steps while maintaining the ability to separate bound from unbound probe agents.
2Measurement precision
If conventional immunoassay methods are used, then analyte detection can be performed, but expensive equipment such as scintillation counters, spectrophotometers, and surface plasmon resonance instruments is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical and mechanical detection systems (scintillation counters, spectrophotometers, surface plasmon resonance instruments) with a simpler electrochemical detection system. The detection chamber contains electrodes that measure electrochemical signals generated by the probe agent-analyte complexes, eliminating the need for expensive optical equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable sensor cartridge containing the reaction chamber, detection chamber, and integrated electrodes. This single-use design eliminates the need for expensive, reusable equipment that requires maintenance and calibration, making the system more cost-effective for routine testing.
3Measurement precision
If conventional immunoassay methods are used, then quantitative results can be obtained, but biohazardous liquid waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a disposable sensor cartridge that is discarded after a single use, eliminating the need to treat and dispose of biohazardous liquid waste from reusable systems. The entire reaction system including any potentially contaminated fluids is contained within the disposable cartridge, which is disposed of after one test, preventing waste generation issues.
4Measurement precision
If conventional immunoassay methods are used, then analyte detection can be achieved, but the method requires centrifugation, dilution, pipetting, washing, or timing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple operational steps (binding reaction, washing, and detection) into a single integrated process within a unified reaction and detection chamber system. The magnetic field holds the magnetic beads in place during the reaction, eliminating the need for separate washing steps, and the electrochemical detection occurs in situ without requiring transfer or timing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field automatically holds the magnetic beads in the reaction chamber without requiring manual intervention for washing steps. The system self-regulates the position of the magnetic beads and the flow of sample through capillary action, eliminating the need for pipetting and timing steps operated by the user.
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
Enables the detection of analytes with high sensitivity and accuracy, reducing operational complexity and waste generation, making it suitable for home or field use and capable of detecting low concentrations of antigens like cytokines and hormones.
Implementation Method 1
the device is adapted to move the reacted fluid sample from the reaction chamber to the detection chamber through the fluid passageway via capillary action
Implementation Method 2
capable of detecting low concentrations of antigens like cytokines and hormones
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are devices for detecting the presence of a target analyte in a fluid sample. The biosensor device can comprise at least a reaction chamber and a detection chamber. The device can comprise a amplifying mechanism such that one target analyte molecule present in the fluid sample can lead to generation/activation of multiple detection agent molecules, and therefore, an amplified signal. Also disclosed are the methods of manufacturing and using such a biosensor device.