Infrared Nanoparticle Diagnostic Kit for High-Sensitivity On-Site Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional on-site immunoassay diagnostic kits face challenges with low sensitivity due to signal interference from specimens, particularly in detecting biomarkers like HCG hormones, which require high concentrations and are limited by the type of specimen, and they are not suitable for on-site use without specialized equipment.

Innovation Solution

Development of nanoparticles doped with rare earth elements and heterogeneous dopants that absorb infrared light and emit infrared light, allowing for enhanced emission intensity and specificity, with a core-shell structure and coating to improve dispersibility and sensitivity, and a diagnostic kit design that includes capture agents for target material binding and infrared light detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If color change of gold nanoparticles is used for detection, then the diagnostic kit is simple and visually detectable, but sensitivity is low and results are not uniform due to specimen influence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual detection simplicityVSAvoiddetection sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from visible light (gold nanoparticles) to infrared light (rare earth-doped nanoparticles). This parameter change enables high sensitivity detection while maintaining visual detectability through infrared camera imaging, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite nanoparticles doped with multiple rare earth elements (e.g., Yb3+, Tm3+, Er3+) to achieve both high sensitivity and specific emission characteristics. The composite material approach allows simultaneous optimization of detection sensitivity and anti-interference capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Measurement precision

If visible light fluorescence signal of quantum dots is used, then sensitivity is high due to high emission efficiency, but ultraviolet light generates autofluorescence of specimen and kit constituents that interferes with detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidautofluorescence interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using ultraviolet excitation that causes autofluorescence, the patent inverts the approach by using infrared excitation (980 nm) that penetrates specimens without generating autofluorescence. The rare earth-doped nanoparticles emit visible or near-infrared light upon infrared excitation, eliminating the harmful autofluorescence effect while maintaining high sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the excitation wavelength parameter from ultraviolet (quantum dots) to infrared (rare earth-doped nanoparticles). This parameter change eliminates autofluorescence interference from specimens and kit constituents while preserving high detection sensitivity through the unique photoluminescence properties of rare earth elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If chemical signal amplification is used, then detection sensitivity can be improved, but large analysis equipment and skilled experts are needed making it unsuitable for on-site use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidequipment and expertise requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs nanoparticles with intrinsic high quantum yield photoluminescence properties that provide self-amplified signals. The rare earth-doped nanoparticles naturally emit strong signals without requiring external chemical amplification systems, enabling simple on-site detection with portable infrared cameras and eliminating the need for complex laboratory equipment and specialized expertise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 high-sensitivity detection of target materials from various specimens without interference, including pathogens and biomarkers, with improved emission intensity and convenience for on-site use, applicable to diverse samples like saliva, blood, and soil.

Implementation Method 1

nanoparticles that absorb infrared light and emit infrared light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 2

the nanoparticles are further doped with a heterogeneous dopant to increase the distortion of a crystal structure in the nanoparticles so as to enable sensitive electron transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectron transfer:

Implementation Method 3

an infrared light reader configured to accommodate the diagnostic kit and to apply infrared light to the diagnostic kit and measure infrared light emitted from the diagnostic kit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS11320425B2Enhanced infrared ray absorbing/emitting nanoparticles and on-site diagnosis kit using same

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 KOREA INST OF SCI & TECH

AI summary

Disclosed is a diagnostic kit for quickly diagnosing a target material with high sensitivity using nanoparticles that absorb infrared light and emit infrared light, in which the nanoparticles are maintained in particle size and have enhanced emission intensity.