Intra-cellular Assay Using Movable Plates for Rapid Biomarker Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing diseases are slow and inefficient, as they often rely on detecting cell-free biomarkers rather than directly measuring biomarkers inside cells, which can delay diagnosis and monitoring of health conditions.
Innovation Solution
The development of an instant intra-cellular single-cell assay (INSA) that allows for rapid detection of intracellular biomarkers, such as nucleic acids and proteins, directly from fresh biological samples using a pair of movable plates to facilitate easy and rapid staining and imaging, enabling diagnosis of diseases like infectious, malignant, and autoimmune diseases within 60 seconds or less.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional cell-free biomarker detection methods are used, then the detection process is relatively simple, but the diagnosis speed is slow and the efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The assay is segmented into distinct functional components: movable plates for sample handling, spacers for thickness control, coating reagents for automated staining, and imaging systems for detection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to achieve rapid intracellular biomarker detection
Solution Approach 2:
Reagents are pre-coated on the plates before sample introduction. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual staining operations during the assay, enabling rapid processing within 60 seconds while maintaining simplicity for the end user
2Loss of time
If rapid staining is implemented, then the detection time is reduced to 60 seconds or less, but the sample preparation and handling become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The plates are designed to be movable relative to each other, allowing dynamic adjustment of the sample chamber configuration. This enables automated sample introduction and reagent mixing while maintaining a simple user interface that requires minimal manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
Spacers serve as intermediaries between the plates, precisely controlling the sample chamber thickness and ensuring uniform reagent distribution. This intermediary component simplifies the handling process by automatically managing fluid dynamics and sample positioning
3Manufacturing precision
If uniform reagent distribution is achieved through spacers, then the staining quality is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Spacers are strategically positioned at specific locations within the sample chamber to create localized thickness control zones. This ensures uniform reagent distribution and consistent staining quality in critical areas while minimizing the overall structural complexity of the device
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 method provides rapid and sensitive detection of intracellular biomarkers, enabling quick diagnosis and monitoring of health conditions, improving the speed and accuracy of disease detection and reducing the need for extensive sample preparation and professional training.
Implementation Method 1
The detection probe comprises protein detection agent or nucleic acid detection probe
Implementation Method 2
coating staining reagents on one or both of the plate(s), which upon contacting the liquid sample and/or the staining liquid, are dissolved and diffuse in the sample and/or the staining liquid
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is to provide methods and devices that monitoring health and diagnosing a disease by directly measuring the biomarkers inside a cell (intra-cellular detection) rapidly and easily.