Fluorescent Nanoparticle Diluent for Staining Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current immunofluorescent and gene staining methods using fluorescent nanoparticles face challenges in achieving accurate quantitative measurements due to non-specific binding and background noise, which affects the accuracy and reliability of diagnostic results.

Innovation Solution

A fluorescent nanoparticle diluent comprising 1 to 5% BSA (molecular weight ≥ 40,000) and 1 to 3% casein (molecular weight < 40,000) is used to inhibit non-specific adsorption of fluorescent nanoparticles, reducing background noise and enhancing the accuracy of immunofluorescent and gene staining methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fluorescent nanoparticles are used as labeling reagents to achieve high accuracy and quantitative performance, then measurement precision is improved, but background noise increases due to non-specific binding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantitative measurement accuracyVSAvoidbackground noise from non-specific binding
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a blocking protein (such as BSA, casein, or serum proteins) as an intermediary substance that competes with fluorescent nanoparticles for non-specific binding sites on tissue sections. This blocking protein acts as a mediator that saturates non-specific binding sites, thereby preventing fluorescent nanoparticles from binding non-specifically and reducing background noise while preserving specific binding signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical and physical parameters of the staining solution by adjusting protein concentration, molecular weight distribution, and other compositional parameters. By optimizing these parameters, the patent creates conditions that favor specific binding while suppressing non-specific binding, thus reducing background noise and improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If high-brightness phosphors are used to enhance signal detection, then illumination intensity is improved, but non-specific binding increases generating background noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluorescence brightnessVSAvoidbackground noise from non-specific binding
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking protein serves as an intermediary that selectively occupies non-specific binding sites without interfering with the high-brightness phosphor's fluorescence emission. This allows the phosphor to maintain its high illumination intensity while the blocking protein prevents non-specific binding that would generate background noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If conventional blocking methods using single protein components are used, then device complexity is reduced, but background noise reduction is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblocking solution compositionVSAvoidbackground noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite blocking solutions that combine multiple protein components with different molecular weights and binding characteristics. This composite approach creates a more comprehensive blocking system that addresses various non-specific binding mechanisms simultaneously, thereby reducing background noise more effectively than single-protein blocks while maintaining reasonable solution composition complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 use of the fluorescent nanoparticle diluent significantly reduces background noise, leading to improved accuracy and quantitative performance in the evaluation of stained images, thereby enhancing the reliability of diagnostic results.

Implementation Method 1

the background noise observed at the time of detection can be reduced, so that the accuracy and the quantitative performance in the evaluation of a stained image can be improved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

non-specific adsorption of fluorescent nanoparticles is inhibited by dispersing the fluorescent nanoparticles in a solution containing BSA as a high-molecular-weight protein and casein as a low-molecular-weight protein

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompetitive binding: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3232195B1Diluent for fluorescent NANO particles, kit for immunofluorescent staining which utilizes same, solution for immunofluorescent staining, immunofluorescent staining method, and gene staining method
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

[Problem] To provide a means for, in Immunostaining using fluorescent nano particles, preventing the occurrence of non-specific adsorption of the fluorescent nano particles to reduce background noises, thereby detecting and quantifying a biological substance of interest with higher accuracy, [Solution] Immunostaining is carried out by diluting fluorescent nano particles with a diluent for fluorescent nano particles, wherein the diluent for fluorescent nano particles contains 1 to 5% (W/W) of a protein having a molecular weight of 40,000 or more (e.g., BSA) and 1 to 3% (W/W) of a protein having a molecular weight of less than 40,000 (e.g., casein). In the diluent, when casein is used as the low-molecular-weight protein, it is preferred that the content of κ-casein in the casein is 10% (W/W) or less and the ratio of the content of α-casein to the content of β-casein, i.e., an α-casein:β-casein ratio, is (40 to 60):(60 to 40) (wherein the total amount of α-casein and β-casein is 100).