Lanthanide Fluorochromes for Sensitive Rapid Diagnostic Testing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current rapid diagnostic tests lack sensitivity for detecting low levels of analytes and require expensive laboratory equipment, especially when using fluorescent methods due to the need for sophisticated instruments to differentiate excitation from emission light.
Innovation Solution
The use of lanthanide labels with large Stokes shifts, such as europium, which allow for sensitive detection without the need for expensive equipment, combined with a device featuring a UV LED for emitting appropriate wavelengths to visualize fluorescence, enabling clearer and faster signal development.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluorescent detection methods are used to increase sensitivity, then detection sensitivity is improved, but expensive laboratory equipment is required to differentiate excitation from emission light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter of Stokes shift from small to large (greater than 100 nm). This parameter change allows the emission light to be well-separated from excitation light in the visible spectrum, enabling detection with simple UV LEDs and human vision without requiring complex spectroscopic equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, sophisticated laboratory instruments with inexpensive, simple components such as UV LEDs and visual observation. The system uses disposable test strips with lanthanide labels that can be discarded after single use, eliminating the need for costly reusable laboratory equipment.
2Ease of operation
If color-producing tests are used for rapid diagnostic testing, then the tests are easy to use and self-contained, but detection sensitivity is insufficient for low levels of analyte
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the color-producing chemical reaction mechanism with a fluorescence-based optical mechanism. Instead of relying on color intensity changes that are difficult to detect visually, the system uses fluorescent emission that can be easily observed with simple UV illumination, maintaining ease of use while dramatically improving sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection mechanism from colorimetric to fluorescent with large Stokes shift. This parameter change enables the detection of much lower analyte concentrations while preserving the simplicity of visual readout, as the fluorescent signal is inherently more sensitive than color production.
3Measurement precision
If conventional fluorochromes with small Stokes shifts are used, then fluorescence detection is possible, but sophisticated instruments are required to analyze emission light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the Stokes shift parameter from small (conventional fluorochromes) to large (greater than 100 nm for lanthanides). This parameter change separates the emission spectrum from the excitation spectrum enough to allow simple UV LEDs to excite the fluorophores and human vision or simple photodetectors to observe the emission without requiring complex spectroscopic instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses lanthanide labels as an intermediary substance that converts UV excitation into visible fluorescent emission with a large Stokes shift. This intermediary enables the transformation of energy at wavelengths that are easy to generate (UV) into wavelengths that are easy to detect (visible), bridging the gap between simple excitation sources and simple detection methods.
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 approach enhances detection sensitivity and eliminates the requirement for costly laboratory instruments, making it suitable for point-of-care testing with improved detection levels and simpler, cost-effective systems.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention uses fluorochromes with a large stokes shift. This eliminates the need for laboratory instruments to differentiate the excitation from emission light.
Implementation Method 2
The present invention uses fluorochromes with a large stokes shift. This eliminates the need for laboratory instruments to differentiate the excitation from emission light.
Implementation Method 3
A device featuring a UV LED for emitting appropriate wavelengths to visualize fluorescence
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes an assay method for detecting an analyte in a sample. The assay includes a solid surface such as a nitrocellulose membrane. It also includes providing a sample is applied to the solid surface and detecting the presence or absence of the analyte using a fluorescent label from a lanthanide label. The invention also includes a device for detecting the fluorescence in or on an assay test strip. The device includes a housing, a solid surface and an ultraviolet radiation emitting LED.