Colorimetric Assay Device Textured Reflective Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional colorimetric assays face challenges in sensitivity and speed due to faint color signals from thin samples, making it difficult to observe and measure accurately.
Innovation Solution
A device using two plates with a transparent plate for light entry and a textured reflective surface plate to enhance color signal, allowing light to be diffusively reflected back, combined with spacers to regulate sample thickness and facilitate reagent mixing, improving sensitivity and speed of measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sample thickness is reduced to enable faster measurement, then measurement speed improves, but color signal intensity deteriorates becoming faint and difficult to observe
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single-sided transmission measurement to a multi-path light interaction system by introducing a textured reflective surface. Light now travels through the sample multiple times via diffuse reflection, effectively increasing the optical path length in the vertical dimension without increasing the physical sample thickness, thereby maintaining signal intensity while preserving fast measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A textured reflective surface is introduced as an intermediary element between the sample and the detector. This surface diffuses reflected light back through the sample, creating multiple light-sample interaction paths. The intermediary transforms single-pass transmission into multi-pass measurement, enhancing color signal intensity without requiring increased sample thickness.
2Illumination intensity
If sample thickness is increased to enhance color signal, then color observation improves, but measurement time increases and sensitivity to thin samples deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing sample thickness in the vertical dimension, the invention creates multiple optical paths through the existing thin sample using diffuse reflection. The textured surface causes light to scatter and traverse the sample multiple times, effectively multiplying the optical path length without adding physical thickness, thus maintaining fast measurement while enhancing signal intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the optical measurement parameters by introducing diffuse reflection geometry. Rather than relying on direct transmission through increased thickness, the system uses scattered light paths with multiple interactions, changing the fundamental measurement geometry to achieve enhanced signal intensity in thin samples without increasing measurement time.
3Device complexity
If conventional transmission measurement is used for thin samples, then device complexity remains low, but measurement precision deteriorates due to faint color signals
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a textured surface with curved or irregular microstructures instead of a flat reflective surface. This curvature causes diffuse reflection with multiple scattering angles, creating multiple light paths through the sample. The curved geometry enhances light-sample interactions without requiring complex optical systems, maintaining device simplicity while improving measurement precision.
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
Significantly increases color signal intensity even for samples as thin as 30 μm, allowing for faster and more sensitive colorimetric assays with improved ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a second plate...comprises an inner surface a light scattering layer that has a rough topology...the light scattering layer enhances trapping a probe light between the inner surfaces of the two plates
Implementation Method 2
the light scattering layer enhances trapping a probe light between the inner surfaces of the two plates
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method of using the device for improving sensitivity, speed, and easy-to-use of a colorimetric assay of a liquid sample are provided. The device includes a first plate and a second plate, spacers, and a textured surface. The two plates each have a sample contact surface and are movable relative to each other into an open configuration or a closed configuration. The sample is deposited on one or both plates in the open configuration. Thereafter, the closed configuration is formed where the plates compress at least part of the deposited sample into a continuous layer. The textured surface is disposed on the sample contact surface of the second plate and has a textured structure that scatters light, from which an optical signal such as a colorimetric or fluorescent signal can be obtained for analyzing the sample.