Developer Solution Vial for Lateral Flow Assay

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing point-of-care diagnostic methods for respiratory diseases require large volumes of developer solution, leading to sample dilution and reduced sensitivity, especially when collecting viscous samples from uncomfortable locations.

Innovation Solution

A developer solution vial designed to minimize the volume of developer solution while maximizing contact with sampling and assay devices, reducing sample dilution and enhancing elution efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If large volumes of developer solution are used, then sample elution is facilitated, but sample dilution increases and sensitivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeveloper solution volumeVSAvoidassay sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical parameters of the vial (depth, cross-sectional area, volume capacity) to accommodate a reduced volume of developer solution while maintaining sufficient contact with the sampling device head for effective sample elution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The vial design replicates optimized dimensional proportions that maximize the surface area to volume ratio, ensuring efficient sample transfer from the swab head to the reduced-volume developer solution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If developer solution volume is minimized, then sample dilution is reduced and sensitivity is increased, but contact with sampling device may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassay sensitivityVSAvoidsolution contact area

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a wide, shallow vial configuration to a deep, narrow configuration, utilizing the vertical dimension to maximize solution contact with the sampling device head while minimizing overall solution volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The vial's geometric parameters are optimized with increased depth and reduced cross-sectional area, creating a configuration that maximizes the wetted surface area of the sampling device head relative to the total solution volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If vial depth is increased for better device contact, then elution efficiency improves, but device compression may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelution efficiencyVSAvoidsampling device structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The vial incorporates a localized cushioning element at the bottom that provides soft contact specifically at the point where the sampling device head rests, preventing compression while maintaining deep immersion for efficient elution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

A cushioning element is pre-positioned at the bottom of the vial to prevent direct hard contact between the sampling device head and the vial base, protecting the device structure while enabling deep immersion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 developer solution vial enables accurate, sensitive, and rapid testing with reduced patient discomfort by minimizing developer solution volume and increasing the depth for sampling and assay devices, thereby improving diagnostic efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

inserting the sampling device submerges the sampling device in developer solution held within a cavity of the developer solution vial to wet the sampling device with the developer solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWetting: Wetting

Implementation Method 2

agitating the sampling device at a depth within the developer solution to elute the collected sample from the sampling device and mix the collected sample with the developer solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElution:

Implementation Method 3

The assay occurs through wetting and transport of reagents as they interact with a liquid sample moving across the assay strip via a chromatographic lateral flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS12214351B2Developer solution vial

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 ORASURE TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

The invention provides a developer solution vial and methods of its use to diagnose diseases using a sampling and/or assay device, for example, for use with a lateral flow assay (LFA) device. The developer solution vial may include any container that is capable of holding developer solution. The developer solution vial is keyed to the sampling and/or assay device. The developer solution vial minimizes the amount of developer solution required for accurate fluid flow assay testing.