Fibrous Substance Detection Method for High S/N Ratio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional antigen-antibody measurement systems face challenges in achieving a high signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and rapid reaction times, particularly in heterogeneous systems that require complex separation methods, which complicates industrial applicability and hinders detection of labeled substances at low concentrations.

Innovation Solution

The use of fibrous substances, such as straight chain fibers or nanofibers, where the antigen-recognizing substance is bound, allows for a dispersed state in solution, enabling rapid reaction and easy separation, thereby improving the S/N ratio and reaction speed while maintaining a homogeneous system's characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a heterogeneous measurement system is used to reduce background signals, then the signal-to-noise ratio improves, but the device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to required separation steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidseparation step complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies homogeneity by using water-soluble polymer fibers that maintain a homogeneous dispersed state in solution during measurement, eliminating the need for complex separation steps while keeping background signals low through proper fiber concentration control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

2Measurement precision

If a heterogeneous measurement system is used to reduce background signals, then the signal-to-noise ratio improves, but the reaction time increases due to solid-liquid reaction limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidreaction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses water-soluble polymer fibers in a dispersed homogeneous state that enables rapid antigen-antibody reactions similar to homogeneous systems, achieving both fast reaction kinetics and low background signals without the time penalty of solid-liquid reactions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the carrier from solid particles to water-soluble polymer fibers, which dissolve to form a homogeneous dispersed state, thereby improving reaction kinetics while maintaining separation capability through controlled fiber concentration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If fine particles are used as water-insoluble carriers to improve reaction rate, then the reaction rate increases, but the detection of labeled substances worsens due to opacity and light blocking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereaction rateVSAvoiddetection of labeled substances
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses water-soluble polymer fibers that form a homogeneous transparent dispersed state, eliminating light blocking issues while maintaining high reaction rates through increased carrier surface area and proper fiber concentration control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the carrier material parameter from water-insoluble fine particles to water-soluble polymer fibers, which provide both high reaction rate through dispersion and transparency for label detection, resolving the contradiction between reaction rate and detectability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 the construction of a measurement system with a short reaction time and high S/N ratio, facilitating the detection of substances by maintaining the advantages of both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems.

Implementation Method 1

a fibrous substance which is water-soluble and forms a dispersed state in water; bringing a first recognizing substance bound to the fibrous substance present in a dispersed state in a solution into contact with one another

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 2

a second recognizing substance which is labeled... detecting the label of the obtained complex

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3499234B1Detection method using fibrous substance
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 TOSOH CORP
  • EP3499234B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3499234B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3499234B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

To provide a measurement system in which the reaction rate of the antigen-antibody reaction is high, and a B/F separation step can easy be carried out. A method for detecting a substance to be detected, which comprises bringing a) a first recognizing substance bound to a fibrous substance, b) a second recognizing substance which is labeled, and c) a substance to be detected, provided that the first recognizing substance and the second recognizing substance are capable of being bound to the substance to be detected, into contact with one another in a dispersed state so as to form a complex in which the above a, b and c are bound together, separating the complex and an unbound b, and detecting the label of the obtained complex.