FoRe Microarray Device for Dilute Liquid Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for analyzing liquid samples, particularly protein-containing samples, face challenges with dilute samples due to long incubation times and limited sensitivity, and existing immunofiltration assays struggle with high throughput and signal-to-noise ratios.
Innovation Solution
A device with a FoRe microarray technology that combines micron test sites with high capture probe density, allowing for rapid and sensitive analysis of multiple samples in parallel, featuring a stackable nitrocellulose membrane design with wax-patterned channels to reduce sample volume requirements and enhance signal-to-noise ratios, and an angled PDMS channel system to increase sample volume without compromising test site density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If immunofiltration assays use large spot diameters to increase sample volume, then sensitivity improves, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the sample flow path into multiple parallel microchannels, each containing a test site with capture probes. This segmentation allows the sample volume to be distributed across multiple channels while maintaining small spot diameters at each test site, thereby preserving signal-to-noise ratio while increasing total sample volume capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single large spot format to a multi-channel parallel architecture, adding the dimension of parallelism. Multiple test sites are arranged in parallel within the same device footprint, enabling simultaneous processing of larger sample volumes while maintaining the small spot size necessary for high signal-to-noise ratio at each individual test site.
2Productivity
If microarrays use miniature planar test sites to increase throughput, then productivity improves, but sensitivity to dilute samples deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the sample handling into multiple parallel microchannels, each capable of processing small sample volumes simultaneously. This parallel segmentation enables the system to achieve high throughput by processing multiple samples or sample fractions at once, while each individual channel maintains the small test site format necessary for sensitive detection of dilute analytes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds the dimension of parallel processing by implementing multiple test sites within a single device. This allows the system to maintain the high throughput advantage of microarrays while increasing the effective sample volume capacity through parallel architecture, resolving the contradiction between throughput and sample volume capacity.
3Ease of operation
If immunofiltration assays use large spot diameters to handle viscous samples, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the sample loading function across multiple inlet channels that feed into parallel microchannels. This segmentation allows viscous samples to be distributed across multiple smaller channels rather than requiring a single large channel, maintaining ease of sample loading while managing device complexity through modular parallel architecture.
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 efficient analysis of dilute samples with high throughput and sensitivity, capable of handling viscous samples like whole blood by diluting and re-concentrating analytes, while maintaining a compact and customizable format suitable for point-of-care applications.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the high surface to volume ratio of the porous membrane, binding kinetics closely resemble that of proteins in solution
Implementation Method 2
vertical flow can also increase the sensitivity of an immunoassay by concentrating dilute analytes in the membrane
Implementation Method 3
vertical flow can also increase the sensitivity of an immunoassay by concentrating dilute analytes in the membrane (Poulsen, F., Bjerrum, O. J., 1991, CRC Press)
Implementation Method 4
An alternative method for creating vertical flow-through arrays is to pattern channels directly into the membranes
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1), a method, and a kit for analysing liquid samples. The device (1) comprises a sample layer (111) having a plurality of liquid permeable test sites (112) separated by a liquid impermeable barrier region (113), and an inlet part (2) comprising a plurality of inlet channels (211), which lead to respective test sites (112) of the sample layer (111), such that a flow connection between said inlet channels (211) and said respective test sites (112) is established or can be established, wherein said inlet channels (211) comprise first openings (218) and second openings (219), wherein a second surface area defined by the positions of said second openings (219) is smaller than a first surface area defined by the positions of said first openings (218) The invention further relates to a method for functionalizing a sample layer (111).