Integrated Microfluidic Cartridge for Sample Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current analyte analysis methods require manual or complex robotic sample preparation and expensive equipment for transporting samples to analysis machines, making them costly and inefficient, especially for point-of-care applications.
Innovation Solution
An integrated microfluidic and analyte detection device that combines digital microfluidics and analyte detection capabilities, using electrodes and wells to manipulate and detect analytes through optical or electrochemical means, allowing for low-cost, efficient sample preparation and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual or complex robotic sample preparation is used, then sample preparation can be performed, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sample preparation functions and analyte detection functions into a single integrated cartridge device. The cartridge includes a chamber for sample preparation and a detection chamber with electrodes for analyte detection, eliminating the need for separate robotic preparation systems and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated cartridge serves multiple functions: it performs sample preparation (including mixing and incubation) and analyte detection within a single device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate preparation and analysis equipment, reducing both complexity and cost.
2Productivity
If separate transport systems are used to move samples to analysis machines, then sample analysis can be performed, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sample preparation chamber and analyte detection chamber into a single integrated cartridge. This eliminates the need for separate transport systems to move samples between preparation and analysis equipment, reducing device complexity while maintaining full analytical capability.
3Ease of operation
If integrated devices are used for sample preparation and detection, then cost and ease of use improve, but the device must combine multiple functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates sample preparation and analyte detection functions into a single cartridge that is inserted into the detection device. This merging of functions into a pre-assembled integrated unit simplifies operation for the user while managing internal complexity within the cartridge design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the cartridge (containing preparation and detection chambers) is inserted into the main detection device. This nesting allows the complex integrated cartridge to be handled as a single unit, improving ease of operation while containing the complexity within the replaceable cartridge.
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 enables low-cost, efficient analyte analysis by preparing and detecting samples within a single device, reducing costs and increasing ease of use, particularly in clinical and point-of-care settings.
Implementation Method 1
The first substrate includes a plurality of electrodes to generate electrical actuation forces on a liquid droplet
Implementation Method 2
The second portion of the second substrate is substantially transparent to facilitate optical interrogation of the array of wells
Implementation Method 3
the first layer is a dielectric layer and the second layer is a hydrophobic layer
Implementation Method 4
the array of wells has a hydrophilic surface
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. Additional analyte detection devices configured to operate an analyte detection chip to prepare a test sample and to detect an analyte related signal from the prepared test sample in the analyte detection chip are disclosed. The analyte detection chip may include a digital microfluidics (DMF) region and an analyte detection region which may overlap or may be spatially separated. The analyte detection device may be configured for detection of analyte by an optical or electrochemical means operably connected with an analyte detection chip inserted into the device.