Portable Fluidic Cartridge for Real-Time Analyte Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current point-of-care testing methods lack an integrated solution for sample acquisition, testing, analysis, and communication of results, leading to inefficiencies in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameter determination and adverse drug reaction monitoring, with patients often failing to comply with scheduled drug dosing and resulting in improper drug levels and adverse effects.
Innovation Solution
A portable fluidic device with a cartridge containing a sample collection unit and assay assembly that collects, meters, and dilutes bodily fluid samples, using reactants to detect analytes and transmit results for real-time monitoring and communication of pharmacological parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If patients visit clinics multiple times to provide blood samples for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameter determination, then comprehensive drug monitoring can be achieved, but patient compliance deteriorates and data response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables patients to self-monitor their drug levels at home using a portable fluidic device, eliminating the need to visit clinics for sample collection. The device automatically performs sample processing, reactant delivery, and analyte detection, allowing patients to conduct their own pharmacokinetic monitoring without requiring clinic visits.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system is divided into separate functional modules: a sample collection unit, a fluidic processing cartridge with reactant chambers, a detection assembly, and a communication system. This segmentation allows the system to be portable while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities through coordinated operation of independent components.
2Measurement precision
If blood samples are pre-processed in laboratories before analysis, then accurate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters can be determined, but measurement time increases and physiological variability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple functions that were previously performed separately in different locations (sample collection, sample processing, reactant delivery, analyte detection, and result communication) into a single integrated portable device. The fluidic cartridge merges sample processing steps with the detection assay, eliminating the time delay between sample collection and analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
Reagents and reactants are pre-loaded into the fluidic cartridge in controlled amounts, and sample processing steps are prepared in advance. When a sample is introduced, the system automatically executes pre-programmed processing steps including dilution, mixing, and reactant delivery, eliminating the need for manual laboratory pre-processing.
3Reliability
If multiple combination therapies are used to treat patients, then treatment efficacy improves, but the complexity of monitoring pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable fluidic device is designed to monitor multiple analytes and pharmacological parameters simultaneously using a single integrated system. The device can detect different drug concentrations and biomarkers in the same sample, providing comprehensive monitoring for patients on combination therapies without requiring multiple separate monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses digital communication to transmit monitoring data to electronic health records and communication assemblies, creating digital copies of the monitoring information. This allows complex multi-parameter data from combination therapy monitoring to be stored, analyzed, and shared electronically, reducing the operational complexity of managing multiple monitoring systems.
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 real-time detection and monitoring of analytes, improving patient compliance and reducing adverse drug reactions by providing a portable, efficient system for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameter assessment and adverse drug reaction detection.
Implementation Method 1
the assay assembly comprises at least one reaction site containing a reactant that reacts with the analyte to yield a signal indicative of the presence of the analyte
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides portable medical devices that allow real-time detection of analytes from a biological fluid. The methods and devices are particularly useful for providing point-of-care testing for a variety of medical applications.