Blood Sample Analysis Plates for Accurate Thin-Film Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bio/chemical sample analysis methods, particularly for blood, face challenges in accelerating processes, quantifying parameters, handling small volumes, simplifying sample collection and measurement, enabling at-home or point-of-care testing, and communicating results locally or remotely without specialized instrumentation.
Innovation Solution
A device and method using plates with fixed, uniformly spaced pillars to compress a sample into a thin, uniform layer for rapid analyte detection, allowing multiplex assays without fluidic isolation, and utilizing an amplification surface for enhanced sensitivity, readable by a smartphone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If small volume samples are analyzed, then sample consumption is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from bulk volume measurement to surface area measurement by compressing the sample into a thin film between plates. The analyte concentration is determined by measuring the signal intensity per unit area rather than per unit volume, effectively changing the measurement dimension from 3D to 2D. This allows accurate analysis of very small sample volumes that would be impossible to measure with traditional volumetric methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the sample from a three-dimensional bulk liquid to a two-dimensional compressed film with controlled thickness. By controlling the compression force and plate separation distance, the sample thickness is standardized, allowing conversion of area-based measurements to concentration values. This parameter change enables precise measurement of sub-microliter sample volumes.
2Measurement precision
If specialized instrumentation is used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical volumetric measurement systems (pipettes, syringes) with a simple compression mechanism using parallel plates. The sample is loaded onto a plate and compressed against another plate to form a uniform thin film. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for precise volumetric delivery devices while maintaining measurement accuracy through standardized film thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression plates themselves perform multiple functions: they define the sample analysis area, control the film thickness, and provide the measurement surface. The system is self-regulating where the plate separation distance automatically standardizes the sample thickness, eliminating the need for external calibration or complex control mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If accurate pipetting is required, then sample volume precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the volumetric measurement function from the sample loading process. Instead of requiring precise measurement of the liquid volume during loading, the system only requires depositing the sample onto the plate surface. The volume precision is achieved afterward through the compression process that creates a standardized film thickness, separating the simple loading step from the precision measurement step.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate compression and film formation is performed as a preliminary action before measurement. By pre-compressing the sample into a uniform thin film with known thickness, the system establishes the measurement geometry in advance. This preliminary compression action converts any variability in initial sample volume into a standardized measurement configuration.
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 fast, accurate, and sensitive analyte detection in small samples with minimal professional assistance, facilitating rapid results communication and simplified at-home testing.
Implementation Method 1
In some cases, the signal can enhanced by a nanoplasmonic effect (e.g., surface-enhanced Raman scattering)
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure invention relates to the field of bio/chemical sampling, sensing, assays and applications. Particularly, the disclosure relates to how to make the sampling/sensing/assay become simple to use, fast to results, highly sensitive, easy to use, using tiny sample volume (e.g., 0.5 μL or less), operated by a non-professional, reading by mobile-phone, or low cost, or a combination of them.