Coated Nanoparticles for Sensitive Immunoassays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lateral flow immunoassays using SERS nanoparticles require sophisticated instrumentation for signal detection, limiting their accessibility and cost-effectiveness, while existing reflectance-based methods lack the sensitivity of SERS technology.
Innovation Solution
Development of coated nanoparticles with multiple metal cores and a reflective shell, such as glass or ceramic, that enhance reflectance without Raman-active molecules, allowing for sensitive analyte detection using simple reflectance readers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If SERS nanoparticles are used in lateral flow immunoassays, then assay sensitivity is improved, but detection instrumentation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the optical parameters of the nanoparticles by coating them with high refractive index materials, transforming them from SERS-active particles requiring complex spectroscopic detection to reflectance-active particles compatible with simple readers. This parameter change enables the same high sensitivity to be achieved with vastly simpler instrumentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the Raman-active molecular component from the nanoparticle system, retaining only the metal core and adding a reflective coating. This extraction eliminates the need for Raman spectroscopy instrumentation while preserving the signal enhancement capability through optical reflectance instead.
2Measurement precision
If coated nanoparticles with reflective shell are used, then assay sensitivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs thin film coating techniques to deposit reflective layers on nanoparticle cores. This approach uses established materials science methods for creating controlled thin films, making the manufacturing process scalable and compatible with existing nanoparticle production infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite nanoparticle structures combining a metal core with a reflective shell material. This composite approach leverages the plasmonic properties of the metal core and the high refractive index of the shell material, achieving enhanced reflectance while using materials and fabrication methods from established fields.
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 coated nanoparticles significantly improve assay sensitivity, offering a cost-effective and rapid method for detecting analytes in biological samples, as demonstrated by enhanced sensitivity in lateral flow immunoassays compared to traditional gold colloids and commercial products.
Implementation Method 1
coated nanoparticle consisting of multiple metal cores and one shell having the ligand attached thereto, wherein the shell comprises glass, a ceramic material such as perovskite and ZrO2, or a polymer such as polyethylene glycol, polymethylmethacrylate and polystyrene, and increases the reflectance of the nanoparticle
Data Source
AI summary
Coated nanoparticles comprising multiple metal cores surrounded by a shell that increases the reflectance of the nanoparticle, wherein the coated nanoparticle does not include a Raman-active molecule, are provided. Test devices and immunoassay methods utilizing the coated nanoparticles are provided.