Flow-Through Immunoassay Assembly with Packed Particle Bed
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for biomolecule separation in life science research and pharmaceutical development, such as ELISAs and MS sample preparation, face challenges including slow diffusion rates, high variability, and inefficiencies in sample handling and transfer, leading to long assay times and significant losses, especially when dealing with small sample volumes.
Innovation Solution
A flow-through immunoassay assembly with a packed particle bed and aspiration pump system that allows for controlled flow rates and efficient sample processing, reducing assay time and variability by enabling direct interaction of samples and reagents with the binding surface and minimizing air entrapment for improved reproducibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If antibody is bound to the wall of the well in microplate ELISA, then the assay can be performed with simple equipment and flexible reagent systems, but the assay time becomes very long (4 to 24 hours) due to slow molecular diffusion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a porous monolithic support structure with high surface area and interconnected pores that allow rapid molecular diffusion. The porous architecture enables reagents to penetrate deeply and uniformly throughout the support, dramatically reducing incubation times while maintaining assay simplicity and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional planar surface (microplate well wall) to a three-dimensional porous monolithic structure. This dimensional change increases the available binding surface area by factors of 10-100 times while maintaining compact form, enabling rapid equilibration without sacrificing assay flexibility.
2Device complexity
If conventional microplate ELISA methods are used, then minimal specialized equipment is required, but high variability (coefficients of variation of 10 to 30% or more) occurs due to critical pipetting and timing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The porous monolithic support structure enables automatic and uniform distribution of reagents throughout the entire binding surface through capillary action and rapid diffusion. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for precise manual pipetting and timing, reducing variability while keeping equipment requirements minimal.
3Ease of operation
If sample and reagent molecules reach the binding surface by molecular diffusion in microplate wells, then the assay can be performed with simple liquid addition, but the path length of several millimeters causes slow binding reaction equilibration
Solution Approach 1:
The porous monolithic support provides a three-dimensional network of interconnected pores with total surface area 10-100 times greater than planar surfaces. Reagents diffuse rapidly through this porous network, reducing the effective diffusion path length from millimeters to micrometers, thereby accelerating binding equilibrium while maintaining ease of liquid addition.
4Extent of automation
If automated liquid handling robotic equipment is used for microplate ELISAs, then some automation is achieved, but the system becomes quite complex and often does not improve reproducibility without constant human monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The porous monolithic support structure inherently provides uniform reagent distribution and binding conditions through its physical architecture, eliminating the need for complex automated liquid handling systems. The structure itself performs the function of ensuring reproducibility, allowing simple manual or automated addition without requiring sophisticated robotics or constant monitoring.
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 significantly reduces assay time, enhances reproducibility, and improves capture efficiency, allowing for faster and more accurate analysis of biomolecules, even at low concentrations, while minimizing sample loss and handling issues.
Implementation Method 1
a packed particle bed
Implementation Method 2
aspiration pump
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an improved system for efficiently and accurately performing immunoassays, such as ELISAs. The invention provides an immunoassay assembly which includes a flow-through unit and an aspiration pump. The immunoassay flow-through unit includes an outer seal; at least one bed support; an inner seal; and a packed non-porous bed. The unit is releasably attached to an aspiration pump which enables the controlled flow rate of liquid passing through the packed bed of the flow-through unit. The invention also provides a method of using the immunoassay assembly to identify analytical targets of interest.