Bleaching Luminescent Targets in Biosensor Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing affinity-based biosensors face challenges in achieving a good signal-to-noise ratio due to background signals overpowering the desired luminescent signals, leading to inefficient quantification of analytes.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device and method that incorporates a bleaching mechanism to selectively reduce background signals by bleaching sources generating these signals, while preserving luminescent targets, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio through controlled bleaching and detection processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a bulk sample is sent over a sensor surface with fluorescent labels for detection, then the presence of target molecules can be detected, but background signals overpower the desired luminescent signals resulting in poor signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a bleaching step before the actual measurement. The sensor surface is pre-treated to bleach background luminescent sources (such as autofluorescent molecules) before introducing the sample. This preliminary bleaching reduces the background signal level, allowing the subsequent detection of target molecules to occur against a lower background, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio without sacrificing measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful background luminescent sources into a beneficial situation by selectively bleaching them. The background signals, which initially overpower the desired signals, are transformed into a controlled state where only non-autofluorescent background remains. This conversion of harmful background luminescence into a reduced background state allows for improved detection sensitivity while maintaining the integrity of the measurement system
2Measurement precision
If a bleaching device is used to reduce background signals, then the signal-to-noise ratio improves, but there is a risk of bleaching the luminescent targets along with the background sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a controlled, time-dependent bleaching process. The bleaching light is applied for a specific duration and intensity that is optimized to bleach background sources while minimizing impact on target molecules. The system dynamically controls the bleaching parameters (intensity, duration, wavelength) to achieve selective bleaching, allowing the background to be reduced while preserving the luminescent targets for subsequent detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating different conditions for background sources versus target molecules during the bleaching process. The bleaching parameters are specifically tuned to affect background luminescent sources (such as autofluorescent molecules in the buffer or on the surface) while leaving the target-associated luminescent labels intact. This localized differentiation in bleaching susceptibility allows selective reduction of background without compromising target integrity
3Measurement precision
If the bleaching step is applied before saturation of the desired signal, then background sources are bleached more than target sources, but the process requires precise timing control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a monitoring system that tracks the luminescent signal intensity in real-time during the assay process. The system continuously monitors the signal to determine when the background has been sufficiently reduced while target binding is still progressing. Based on this feedback, the bleaching process is automatically initiated at the optimal moment, ensuring that background sources are bleached before target saturation occurs. This feedback-controlled timing reduces the need for complex manual timing control while maintaining selective bleaching efficiency
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 solution effectively decreases background signals, allowing for accurate quantification of luminescent targets by maintaining a higher number of luminescent targets and enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio, enabling precise analyte detection.
Implementation Method 1
a light source for exciting the luminescent targets, thus generating luminescence signals
Implementation Method 2
a bleaching device for bleaching at least part of the sources generating the background signal
Data Source
AI summary
Sensor devices for quantifying luminescent targets are described herein. An example device comprises a light source for exciting the targets, thus generating luminescence signals and a detector for detecting these signals, resulting in a detected signal which comprises a desired signal originating from the targets and a background signal. It moreover comprises a bleaching device for bleaching of at least part of the sources generating the background signal and a processor configured to trigger the bleaching device to start bleaching, and to trigger the light source for exciting the remaining luminescent targets which are not bleached, and to trigger the detector for detecting the luminescence signal of the remaining luminescent targets, so as to generate a measurement signal representative for the quantification of the luminescent targets.