Homogeneous Assay Particle Aggregation De-aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biological and chemical assays often require multiple steps, including washing, which complicates the process and reduces efficiency, especially in homogeneous assays where a single step without washing is preferred for accurate and rapid results.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing two movable plates with spacers to compress a sample into a uniform thickness, allowing for particle aggregation or de-aggregation upon analyte interaction, enabling a one-step homogeneous assay without washing, using particles with capture agents that bind to analytes, and imaging techniques to analyze the resulting optical signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple washing steps are performed in traditional assays, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity is reduced due to time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the washing step from the traditional multi-step assay process, creating a homogeneous assay that achieves accurate results without requiring washing operations. This extraction of the washing step eliminates the time-consuming aspect while maintaining assay accuracy through the use of homogeneous reaction conditions and direct reading methodologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the reaction and measurement steps into a single homogeneous phase, eliminating the need for separate washing steps. By combining all reagents and samples in a uniform liquid phase, the assay achieves both precision and speed without requiring multiple operational steps, thus resolving the contradiction between accuracy and productivity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple assay steps are performed, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares all reagents and components in a homogeneous state before the actual measurement, eliminating the need for subsequent washing or separation steps. This preliminary preparation ensures that all necessary interactions occur in a single step, maintaining measurement precision while minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The homogeneous assay maintains continuous useful action throughout the measurement process, with the reaction and detection occurring simultaneously in the same phase. This continuity eliminates idle time between steps that would otherwise be required for washing or sample preparation, thus reducing total assay duration while preserving accuracy.
3Productivity
If washing steps are eliminated, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the assay system by maintaining all components in a homogeneous liquid phase throughout the measurement process. This parameter change allows the assay to achieve rapid results without washing while maintaining precision through controlled reaction conditions and optimized detection methodologies specific to homogeneous 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
This approach simplifies the assay process by eliminating washing steps, enhancing efficiency and accuracy, allowing for rapid detection of analytes through particle aggregation or de-aggregation signals in a single step, facilitating quicker and more reliable results.
Implementation Method 1
particles with capture agents that bind to analytes
Implementation Method 2
imaging techniques to analyze the resulting optical signals
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are devices and methods for performing biological and chemical assays, such as immunoassays and nucleic acid assays, more particularly a homogeneous assay that does not use a wash step by using the aggregation and de-aggregation processes of microparticles or nanoparticles.