Chip-Based Flow Cytometer with Automated Assay Preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow cytometers are complex, expensive, and require significant laboratory resources, making them difficult to operate and time-consuming to manufacture, and are sensitive to their environment, limiting their accessibility and usability.
Innovation Solution
A chip-based flow cytometer system with an automated assay preparation module and microfluidic analysis module, including a channel for routing fluid samples with magnetic or fluorescently tagged particles, and an illumination subsystem for fluorescence measurement, designed to be portable, inexpensive, and less sensitive to environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional flow cytometers are used, then measurement precision is achieved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components: a microfluidic chip module for particle interrogation, an automated assay preparation module for sample processing, and a detection module. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision through specialized functionality in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic chip integrates multiple functions including particle focusing, fluorescence excitation, and signal detection within a single device. The automated assay preparation module can handle various sample types and assay protocols, making the system universally applicable to different measurement needs without requiring separate specialized equipment for each application.
2Measurement precision
If conventional flow cytometers are used, then measurement precision is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring highly trained technicians
Solution Approach 1:
The automated assay preparation module performs sample processing, mixing, and preparation functions automatically without requiring manual intervention by trained technicians. The system self-regulates fluid handling, reagent mixing, and assay execution, enabling operation by personnel with minimal training while maintaining measurement precision through automated quality control.
3Measurement precision
If conventional flow cytometers are used, then measurement precision is achieved, but manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The core measurement functionality is extracted into a standardized microfluidic chip that can be manufactured using conventional semiconductor fabrication techniques. This allows for high-volume, rapid production of identical measurement units with consistent precision characteristics, significantly reducing manufacturing time compared to assembling complex conventional flow cytometers.
4Measurement precision
If conventional flow cytometers are used, then measurement precision is achieved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic chip is designed as a disposable component that can be manufactured at low cost using standard fabrication processes. Each chip contains the complete measurement functionality, allowing inexpensive replacement rather than repair or recalibration of expensive conventional instruments. This dramatically reduces per-unit cost while maintaining measurement precision through factory-calibrated chip designs.
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 system enables efficient and cost-effective analysis of fluid samples with reduced manufacturing time, simplicity in operation, and reduced resource requirements, allowing for use by less trained personnel and flexibility across various applications.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination subsystem including a light source system and an optical system collectively configured to direct light toward an interrogation region of the channel
Implementation Method 2
a measurement subsystem with an aspherical mirror configured to gather fluorescence emitted from the magnetic particles
Implementation Method 3
a means for inducing a magnetic field along at least a portion of the channel such that the magnetic particles flow within a predetermined region of the fluid sample
Data Source
AI summary
Portable systems for processing and analyzing biological or environmental samples as well as different configurations of chip-based flow cytometers are provided. The portable systems include an automated assay preparation module configured to process a sample into a fluid assay with fluorescently tagged particles and a microfluidic analysis module coupled to the fluid assay module, wherein the microfluidic analysis module includes a chip-based flow cytometer.