Colorimetric Device for Hydrolytic Enzymatic Activity Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current colorimetric devices for detecting hydrolytic enzymatic activity in aqueous solutions are complex, require multiple reagents, and are not suitable for detecting enzymatic activity in biological solutions, as they often rely on chemical markers and are not adapted for functional detection within solutions.
Innovation Solution
A colorimetric device utilizing a thin transparent detection layer with a specific thickness range and refractive index, capable of generating an optical interference phenomenon that changes in response to hydrolytic enzymatic activity, allowing for simple and sensitive detection of enzymatic activity without the need for chemical markers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical colorimetric devices using dyes or detection indicators are used to detect hydrolytic enzymatic activity, then detection capability is achieved, but device complexity and number of reagents increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for chemical dyes and detection indicators by using a physical optical interference mechanism. The detection layer is replaced by a thin transparent film whose thickness change directly produces an observable optical effect, removing complex chemical reagents from the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces chemical detection mechanisms with an optical/physical mechanism. Instead of using chemical reactions to reveal enzymatic activity, the system uses optical interference phenomena where thickness changes in the detection layer produce visible color changes, substituting chemical detection with physical optical detection.
2Reliability
If conventional colorimetric devices are used to detect enzymatic activity, then detection is possible, but reading devices such as spectoscopes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color changes resulting from optical interference phenomena as the detection signal. The thin transparent film changes color when its thickness changes due to enzymatic hydrolysis, providing a visual signal that can be detected by the naked eye without requiring specialized reading devices like spectoscopes.
3Measurement precision
If a thin transparent film is used to detect analyte by adsorption, then optical interference color change is achieved, but the device only allows detection of analytical type and not functional enzymatic activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes in the detection layer's thickness as the detection mechanism. The thin transparent film's thickness changes in response to enzymatic hydrolysis of the polymer, causing optical interference color changes that indicate functional enzymatic activity rather than mere presence of analyte.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection layer is formed from a polymer material that is specifically susceptible to hydrolytic enzymatic action. This composite approach uses a polymer-based detection layer that directly interacts with the enzyme's functional activity, allowing detection of enzymatic activity rather than just analyte presence.
4Illumination intensity
If a reflective substrate and semi-transparent upper layer are used in the detection device, then optical interference is enhanced, but the detection layer cannot be eliminated by rinsing and enzymatic degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin transparent film as the detection layer that can be selectively removed or degraded by enzymatic action. This thin film structure allows it to be eliminated by rinsing or enzymatic hydrolysis, unlike thicker or more protected detection layers in conventional devices.
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 rapid, reliable, and sensitive detection of hydrolytic enzymatic activity in aqueous solutions, with the ability to distinguish between the presence and absence of enzymatic activity, and potentially quantify enzymatic activity, without the complexity of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
Said first thickness e and/or said second thickness e' of said transparent detection layer are adapted to generate a color by an optical interference phenomenon generated by the recombination of the light beams reflected at said air/detection layer and detection layer/substrate interfaces
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a colorimetric device for detecting, in an aqueous solution of interest, hydrolytic enzymatic activity with regard to at least one polymer of interest. This device (1) comprises (i) a substrate (2) and (ii) a transparent detection layer (3) that includes the polymer of interest. The detection layer (3) is adapted to: maintain a first thickness e after application of the aqueous solution of interest when the latter has no hydrolytic enzymatic activity; and have a second thickness e', smaller than the first thickness e, after application of the aqueous solution of interest when the latter has hydrolytic enzymatic activity. This first thickness e and/or the second thickness e' of the transparent detection layer (3) are/is designed to generate a colour by means of an optical interference effect produced by the recombining of the light beams reflected at the interfaces (4, 5) of said detection layer (3).