Dyed Microsphere Coupling for Stable Fluorescence in Organic Solvents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for covalently dyeing microspheres face challenges such as reduced conversion rates, polydisperse particles, and instability of reactive dyes under radical polymerization conditions, leading to issues with solvent-fast or organotolerant beads, especially when exposed to organic solvents.
Innovation Solution
Activating a chemical structure coupled to a dye using heat or light to form a reaction intermediate that covalently attaches to the polymer of microspheres, utilizing sulfonyl azides or similar reactive groups to create stable, organotolerant dyed microspheres that maintain fluorescent signatures even in organic solvents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional covalent dyeing methods are used, then dye stability is improved, but conversion rates decrease and particle uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the dyeing process by using sulfonyl azide groups that react with polymer double bonds under specific conditions (heat or light activation), achieving both high conversion rates and stable covalent bonding without the drawbacks of conventional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure where the dye is covalently bonded to the polymer matrix through sulfonyl azide-polymer double bond reactions, forming a stable composite material that maintains both high conversion and dye stability
2Strength
If reactive dyes are used under radical polymerization conditions, then covalent bonding is improved, but dye stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reaction conditions by using sulfonyl azide groups that are stable under radical polymerization conditions but can be activated later with heat or light to form covalent bonds, separating the polymerization and dyeing steps to maintain both bonding strength and dye stability
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional dyeing methods are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but organotolerance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical bonding parameters by forming covalent bonds between sulfonyl azide groups and polymer double bonds, creating organotolerant microspheres that can withstand organic solvents while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple microsphere populations are used in multiplexed analysis, then assay capability is improved, but fluorescent signal stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the bonding parameters to create stable covalent bonds that prevent dye leaching, enabling the use of multiple microsphere populations with different fluorescent signatures while maintaining signal stability across all populations
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 method achieves a tight coefficient of variation in fluorescence signals, ensuring accurate classification and increased stability of microspheres in multiplexed analysis, allowing for more microsphere populations in assays without loss of fluorescent intensity.
Implementation Method 1
activating a chemical structure coupled to a dye using heat or light to form a reaction intermediate
Implementation Method 2
activating a chemical structure coupled to a dye using heat or light to form a reaction intermediate
Implementation Method 3
C—H bond insertion by a carbene or nitrene moiety is a desirable pathway for establishing a stable covalent linkage between two organic molecules
Implementation Method 4
These microspheres are interrogated in a fluid flow device by laser excitation and fluorescence detection of each individual microsphere
Data Source
AI summary
Various methods for forming dyed microspheres are provided. One method includes activating a chemical structure coupled to a dye using heat or light to form a reaction intermediate in the presence of a microsphere. The reaction intermediate covalently attaches to a polymer of the microsphere thereby coupling the dye to the polymer and forming the dyed microsphere. Additional methods are provided for forming a dyed microsphere coupled to a molecule. These methods include dyeing the microspheres as described above in addition to synthesizing the molecule on an outer surface of the dyed microspheres. A population of dyed microspheres is also provided. Each of the dyed microspheres of the population includes a dye attached to a polymer of each of the dyed microspheres by a chemical structure. A coefficient of variation in dye characteristics of the population of dyed microspheres attributable to the dye is less than about 10%.