Integrated Microfluidic Sample Analysis Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current analyte analysis methods require complex and expensive systems for sample preparation and transportation, making them costly and difficult to perform, especially in clinical and point-of-care applications, where integrated devices for sample preparation and analysis are highly desirable.
Innovation Solution
An integrated microfluidic and analyte detection device is developed, comprising a first substrate with electrodes and an array of wells on a second substrate, allowing for electrical actuation and optical interrogation, enabling efficient manipulation and detection of analytes using electric or acoustic forces, and facilitating low-cost, easy analyte analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate manual or robotic sample preparation and expensive analysis systems are used, then analysis functionality is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sample preparation functionality with analyte detection functionality into a single integrated device. The device includes a sample preparation region with electrodes for droplet manipulation and a detection region with wells for analyte analysis, allowing both functions to be performed in one device rather than requiring separate manual or robotic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions: it can prepare samples by manipulating liquid droplets using electrodes, transport prepared samples to detection wells, and perform analyte detection. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized equipment for each function.
2Ease of operation
If complicated robotics and expensive systems are used for sample preparation and transportation, then analysis is performed, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service operation by integrating sample preparation and detection functions that can be performed automatically within the single device without requiring external robotic systems or complex manual procedures. The electrodes and wells are configured to work together in an automated manner.
3Ease of operation
If integrated devices are used for sample preparation and detection, then ease of operation increases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional regions: a sample preparation region with electrodes and a detection region with wells. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall integration, potentially reducing the precision requirements for the entire device compared to a fully monolithic design.
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 integrated device simplifies analyte analysis by combining sample preparation and detection, reducing costs and increasing ease of use, particularly in clinical and point-of-care settings, through efficient manipulation and detection of analytes using electrical or acoustic forces.
Implementation Method 1
a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein the second substrate is separated from the first substrate by a gap, the first substrate including a plurality of electrodes to generate electrical actuation forces on a liquid droplet
Implementation Method 2
an array of wells dimensioned to hold a portion of the liquid droplet, wherein at least a portion of the array of wells is positioned between one or more of the plurality of electrodes and the gap
Data Source
AI summary
Integrated devices that include a sample preparation component integrated with a detection component are disclosed. The sample preparation component may be a digital microfluidics module or a surface acoustic wave module which modules are used for combing a sample droplet with a reagent droplet and for performing additional sample preparation step leading to a droplet that contains beads/particles/labels that indicate presence or absence of an analyte of interest in the sample. The beads/particles/labels may be detected by moving the droplet to the detection component of the device, which detection component includes an array of wells.