Fibre-Optic Sensor for Marker-Free Tissue Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic solutions for detecting biologically active molecules in tissues, especially solid tissues like tumors, are invasive, require significant sample amounts, and cannot perform in-situ measurements without markers or prior tissue preparation, failing to reflect the actual tissue condition.
Innovation Solution
A fibre-optic sensor device with a capillary closed on one side by a light-permeable material, coated with analyte-sensitive material, allowing for direct, minimally invasive tissue insertion and measurement using a reflective interferometer that produces interference phenomena without requiring markers or extensive sample preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current diagnostic solutions are used for detecting biologically active molecules in tissues, then detection can be performed, but the procedures are invasive, require significant sample amounts, and cannot perform in-situ measurements without markers or prior tissue preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the detection function from complex laboratory procedures and marker requirements, creating a standalone optical fibre sensor that performs direct in-situ measurement. The sensor removes the need for external markers, tissue fixation, and extensive sample preparation by integrating the binding agents and optical detection system into a single implantable device that measures analytes directly in their native state
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fibre sensor serves multiple functions: it acts as both the binding platform (through immobilized binding agents on the fibre surface) and the detection system (through optical interference measurement). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate sampling, preparation, and detection equipment, enabling a single device to perform the entire measurement process in-situ
2Measurement precision
If markers are used for detection, then sensitivity can be improved, but the invasiveness and complexity of the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor performs self-detection by utilizing the optical interference phenomenon that occurs naturally when light reflects from the fibre end face interacting with the analyte-bound binding agents. The system serves itself by using the target analytes (through binding agent-analyte interaction) as part of the optical path, eliminating the need for external fluorescent or chemiluminescent markers that would require additional injection and processing steps
3Measurement precision
If significant amounts of tissue sample are used, then detection accuracy can be maintained, but the invasiveness and patient risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention concentrates the detection function at a localized point (the fibre end face) where binding agents are immobilized directly on the optical fibre surface. This local interaction zone allows for highly sensitive detection of analytes in the immediate tissue environment without requiring large-volume sampling, as the measurement occurs at the precise location of interest through the fibre-tissue interface
4Measurement precision
If prior tissue preparation is performed, then detection can be achieved, but the measurement no longer reflects the actual tissue condition
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is pre-prepared with immobilized binding agents on the optical fibre surface before implantation, but the actual tissue interaction and measurement occur in the native, unaltered state. The preliminary preparation is confined to the sensor itself, not the tissue, allowing the analytes to be measured in their natural physiological state without fixation, hydrolysis, or other preparatory treatments that would alter tissue conditions
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
Enables safe, minimally invasive, and accurate detection of biologically active molecules directly in tissues with reduced sample usage, providing real-time measurements without damaging the sensor and reflecting the actual tissue condition.
Implementation Method 1
measurement using a reflective interferometer that produces interference phenomena
Data Source
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AI summary
The subject of the invention is a device comprising a fibre-optic sensor for the detection of biologically active molecules, characterised in that the fibre-optic sensor is placed in a capillary closed on one side (1) whose one-sided closure is a light-permeable material (2), the outer face (3) of which is coated with an analyte-sensitive material (8) and the inner face (4) of the light-permeable material (2) is separated from the face of the optical fibre (5) from 0 µm to 30 mm.