Immunoassay Sequence Selection for Prozone-Resistant Quantification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing immunoassay techniques face challenges in achieving both high-sensitivity measurement and wide-range quantitative measurement due to the prozone phenomenon at high concentrations, leading to inaccurate results and a limited dynamic range.
Innovation Solution
An immunoassay system that includes a measurement unit, calculation unit, and selection unit, which measures and analyzes the concentration of a target substance using optical-waveguide immunodetection with magnetic particles, and adjusts the measurement sequence based on fluctuation indices to determine the appropriate concentration range for precise quantification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-sensitivity measurement is attempted using optical-waveguide immunodetection, then measurement sensitivity is improved, but quantitative accuracy is lost at high-concentration range resulting in narrower dynamic range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the measurement sequence adjustable and adaptable based on detected concentration levels. The system dynamically switches between different measurement sequences (first sequence for high sensitivity at low concentrations, second sequence for quantitative accuracy at high concentrations) depending on the detected signal intensity, thereby resolving the contradiction between sensitivity and dynamic range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes measurement parameters by implementing multiple measurement sequences with different acquisition and processing parameters. The system selects appropriate parameters based on the concentration range detected during preliminary measurement, allowing optimization of both sensitivity and quantitative accuracy for different concentration levels within the dynamic range.
2Quantity of substance
If antigen is contained in excessive amount in specimen, then measurement capacity is exceeded, but inaccurate measurement result is obtained by prozone phenomenon by which apparent measurement value becomes lower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a preliminary measurement before the final quantitative measurement. This preliminary measurement detects the concentration range and triggers appropriate dilution or sequence selection in advance, preventing the prozone phenomenon from occurring in the final measurement and ensuring accurate results even when antigen is present in excessive amounts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dilution as an intermediary mechanism to resolve the prozone phenomenon. When excessive antigen is detected in the preliminary measurement, the system introduces dilution as an intermediate step to reduce the antigen concentration to the appropriate range before performing the final measurement, thereby eliminating the measurement error caused by the prozone effect.
3Device complexity
If single measurement sequence is used for all concentration ranges, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates across different concentration ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a measurement system that can perform multiple functions through a single unified platform. The system universally handles both high-sensitivity detection and quantitative measurement across the entire dynamic range by selecting from multiple measurement sequences, eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems while maintaining high accuracy for all concentration ranges.
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 system enhances measurement precision and expands the dynamic range by selecting the optimal measurement sequence for different concentration ranges, ensuring accurate quantification of target substances.
Implementation Method 1
by detecting a complex formed on a surface of an optical waveguide through attenuation of light, a measurement target substance is measured using the optical waveguide
Implementation Method 2
detecting a complex formed on a surface of an optical waveguide through attenuation of light
Implementation Method 3
a magnet configured to apply a magnetic field for moving magnetic particles
Implementation Method 4
various detection methods that employ an antigen-antibody reaction exist
Implementation Method 5
microparticles on which an antibody, etc. that specifically binds to the measurement target substance is immobilized
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an immunoassay system includes a measurement unit, a calculation unit, and a selection unit. The measurement unit measures a measurement target substance contained in a specimen in accordance with a measurement sequence, and acquires a measurement signal reflecting a concentration of the measurement target substance. The calculation unit calculates an index value related to a fluctuation in intensity of the measurement signal during a first period. The selection unit selects a single measurement sequence to be used in processing during or after the first period in accordance with a concentration range corresponding to an index value of the measurement target substance.