Electrokinetic Sampling Device for Bioagent Concentration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for collecting bioassayable agents from the air often result in sample dilution, require mechanical or chemical procedural steps, and lack efficient integration with assay systems, limiting sensitivity and practicality for portable or field-based applications.

Innovation Solution

A device that uses electrokinetic means to focus samples onto a capture element within a dielectric medium, integrating sampling and bio-specific assays in a unitary system with optical or electrical biosensors for direct detection without mechanical or chemical steps, utilizing ionic propulsion and optical or electrical sensing technologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If liquid streaming systems are used to collect agents from air, then collection efficiency is improved, but sample dilution increases and sensitivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollection efficiencyVSAvoidsensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the liquid streaming component from the collection system, replacing it with direct electrostatic deposition onto the assay device. This eliminates the dilution effect while maintaining collection efficiency, as agents are deposited directly onto the detection surface without being mixed in a liquid stream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an electrostatic field as an intermediary mechanism between the air stream and the assay device. This electrostatic mediator enables direct deposition of charged agents onto the detection surface, achieving both efficient collection and concentration without liquid dilution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If traditional air purification systems (HEPA filters or electrostatic precipitation) are used, then agent removal efficiency is improved, but integration with assay systems becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveagent removal efficiencyVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sampling function and the assay function into a single integrated device. The electrostatic deposition surface is directly formed on or integrated with the assay detection surface, eliminating the need for separate collection and analysis systems and simplifying integration while maintaining high removal efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional device that simultaneously performs agent collection, concentration, and detection. The same electrostatic field and surface serve both to capture agents from air and to provide the assay detection surface, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If mechanical or chemical procedural steps are used in assay systems, then detection capability is improved, but system complexity and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidprocedural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the assay system to perform detection directly on the deposited sample without requiring external mechanical or chemical processing steps. The electrostatically deposited agents are already concentrated and positioned on the detection surface, allowing the assay to proceed autonomously with minimal user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs sample concentration and preparation in advance through electrostatic deposition, before the actual assay detection begins. This preliminary concentration step eliminates the need for subsequent mechanical extraction or chemical processing steps during the assay procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enhances sensitivity by concentrating samples onto a small area, enabling direct, label-free detection of bioagents with improved sensitivity and ease of use, suitable for field deployment in public health, bioterrorism, or environmental monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

the sampling device concentrates a sample from dielectric medium by electrically focusing the sample on to a capture element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrokinetic focusing: Electrophoresis

Implementation Method 2

utilizing ionic propulsion and optical or electrical sensing technologies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic propulsion: Ion Wind

Implementation Method 3

optical or electrical biosensors for direct detection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical sensing: Absorption Spectroscopy

Implementation Method 4

optical or electrical biosensors for direct detection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical sensing: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9216421B2Integrated system for sampling and analysis

Publication Date: 2015.12.22 AIRANSWERS INC

AI summary

There is disclosed a device for determination of a sample from a dielectric fluid medium for a bio-specific assay device, comprising: a sampling device and a biosensor, wherein the sampling device concentrates a sample from dielectric medium by electrically focusing the sample on to a capture element and wherein said biosensor is fluidically linked to said capture element thus providing sampling and determination in a unitary device.