Dissolvable Reagent Layer for Rapid Biosensor Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biosensors face challenges in achieving fast and sensitive detection of analytes, particularly at low concentrations, due to limitations in reagent distribution and cross-reactivity issues, which affect the accuracy and reproducibility of results.
Innovation Solution
A detection system with a sensor chip featuring a thin dissolvable reagent layer that rapidly interacts with analytes, allowing for label-based detection, and incorporating a design that minimizes cross-reactivity through controlled reagent distribution and short assay times, enabling high sensitivity and low sample volume analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dry reagent layer is provided on the sensor chip, then the reagent can be stored stably and dissolved upon sample application, but the dissolution and mixing process takes time, slowing down the detection speed
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent is pre-loaded in a dry state on the sensor chip surface, prepared in advance for stable storage. Upon sample application, the reagent dissolves and becomes immediately available for interaction, eliminating the need for separate reagent preparation steps and enabling rapid detection while maintaining stability during storage
Solution Approach 2:
The reagent layer thickness is optimized to balance dissolution speed and reagent capacity. By controlling the physical state (dry to dissolved) and layer thickness parameters, the system achieves both stable storage and fast detection kinetics
2Quantity of substance
If the reagent layer is made thicker to provide sufficient reagent, then more reagent is available for interaction, but the dissolution and mixing time increases, reducing detection speed
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent layer thickness is optimized to balance dissolution speed and reagent capacity. By controlling the physical state (dry to dissolved) and layer thickness parameters, the system achieves both stable storage and fast detection kinetics
Solution Approach 2:
The reagent layer is designed with porous structure that allows rapid penetration and dissolution by the sample fluid, enabling sufficient reagent amount to be delivered quickly without increasing the physical thickness of the layer
3Measurement precision
If the assay time is extended to improve detection sensitivity, then more complete interaction occurs, but cross-reactivity between multiple sensors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses individual sensor chips or sensor arrays where each sensor is isolated. The reagent layer is confined to the specific sensor region, preventing diffusion to neighboring sensors. This segmentation allows extended assay times for high sensitivity while minimizing cross-reactivity through physical isolation of reagent zones
Solution Approach 2:
The reagent is provided locally at each sensor site with controlled distribution. The reagent layer is positioned and confined to specific regions, ensuring high local concentration where needed while preventing spread to other areas, thus enabling sensitive detection without cross-reactivity
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
This approach enables rapid, sensitive, and accurate detection of analytes, even at low concentrations, with reduced cross-reactivity and sample volume requirements, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of biosensor assays.
Implementation Method 1
a thin dissolvable reagent layer that rapidly interacts with analytes
Implementation Method 2
the amount of analyte may be detected by fluorescence
Implementation Method 3
the molecules may be labelled with magnetic particles or beads and these magnetic particles or beads can be detected with a magnetic sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A detection system (100) and a sensor chip (1) for detecting target molecules, and thus corresponding analytes in a sample is described. Typically the detection system (100) includes a sensor chip (1). The sensor chip (1) comprises on its detection surface (33) a dissolvable reagent layer (5). When the dissolvable reagent layer (5) is in contact with sample fluid, free reagent is generated, assisting in the interaction between a label and target molecules, thus allowing for label based detection. The sample thereby is exposed to mobile reagents in a burst. The reagent layer may contain an enzyme allowing enzymatic assays.