Lateral Flow Assay for Equine SAA Biomarker Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for rapid and accurate detection and diagnosis of clinical and subclinical infectious conditions in horses, as well as differentiation from other inflammatory conditions, to enable timely and appropriate treatment.
Innovation Solution
The use of specific levels of Serum Amyloid A (SAA) as a biomarker for fast and accurate assessment of infection, allowing for monitoring of disease progression and response to treatment, and the development of devices for point-of-care testing to facilitate this.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional diagnostic methods are used for detecting infectious conditions in horses, then the detection can be performed with standard equipment, but the detection speed is slow and requires laboratory settings
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential diagnostic function from complex laboratory equipment and implements it in a simplified point-of-care device. The lateral flow assay cartridge contains only the necessary components (test strip, buffer reservoir, sample well) to perform SAA detection, eliminating the need for sophisticated laboratory instrumentation while maintaining diagnostic capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs disposable lateral flow assay cartridges that are inexpensive and single-use. Each cartridge is pre-loaded with reagents and designed for one-time use, eliminating the need for expensive, maintainable equipment while enabling rapid point-of-care testing. The disposable nature ensures consistency and reduces contamination risks.
2Speed
If rapid detection methods are implemented at point of care, then the detection speed increases, but the measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary actions by pre-loading the lateral flow cartridge with optimized reagent concentrations and buffer compositions during manufacturing. The test strip is pre-coated with capture antibodies at precise densities, and the buffer reservoir contains pre-formulated reconstitution buffers. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the test is performed rapidly at point of care, the measurement precision matches laboratory standards without requiring complex calibration procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes critical parameters of the lateral flow assay including antibody concentration, buffer pH, and flow rates to achieve both rapid results and high precision. By carefully controlling these parameters during cartridge manufacturing and design, the device achieves sensitive detection of SAA biomarker with quantitative accuracy comparable to laboratory methods, despite the simplified point-of-care format.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive monitoring of disease progression is performed, then the diagnostic accuracy improves, but the time required for multiple measurements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables continuous monitoring by providing a rapid point-of-care test that can be repeatedly administered without significant time loss. The quick test format (completing in minutes rather than hours) allows veterinarians to monitor disease progression, treatment response, and biomarker levels at multiple time points during the same clinical visit or within short intervals, maintaining high diagnostic accuracy through serial measurements without substantial time penalty.
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 confident differentiation between infectious and non-infectious conditions, allows for effective monitoring of treatment response, and provides a practical tool for equine health management.
Implementation Method 1
a lateral flow device for the detection of a biomarker in a body fluid
Implementation Method 2
Specific Detection of Infection
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method and materials pertaining to assays, for example immunoassays, for biomarkers in body fluids e.g. blood. Diagnostic or screening methods for infections, and methods of differentiating between infectious and non-infectious conditions in mammals, particularly equines, for monitoring response to anti-infective/antibiotic therapy are provided. A test fluid collection system adapted to permit dilution and analysis of the collected test fluid and an assay and device for monitoring exertional rhabdomyolysis in equines is also provided.