Lateral Flow Assay Micropillars for Coagulation Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lateral flow assay devices face challenges in precisely controlling liquid sample movement, achieving uniform clot formation, and maintaining effective fluid flow due to inherent variability in materials like nitrocellulose and poor surface area to volume ratios, leading to issues such as clot separation and reduced assay efficiency in coagulation monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A lateral capillary flow device with a modified flow path and substrate surface, featuring micropillars and a coating of SiOx or polyelectrolytes, which accelerates coagulation, ensures even clot distribution, and controls fluid flow by enhancing surface hydrophilicity and capillary action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional lateral flow materials like nitrocellulose are used to induce capillary forces, then fluid movement is achieved, but precision and control of liquid sample movement are significantly reduced due to inherent material variability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the flow path by introducing micropillars with specific dimensions (height, diameter, spacing) to control capillary forces. This allows precise control of fluid movement speed and position without relying on variable nitrocellulose properties, directly resolving the contradiction between achieving fluid movement and maintaining manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses an array of micropillars that create controlled porous-like structures in the flow path. These micropillars induce capillary forces through their geometry rather than relying on the inherent porosity of nitrocellulose, providing reproducible and precise fluid control while maintaining the benefits of passive capillary-driven flow
2Device complexity
If capillary tubes or channels with poor surface area to volume ratios are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but sample contact with walls is reduced, exacerbating clot separation and reducing assay effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a simple capillary tube (1D flow path) to a planar substrate with micropillar arrays (2D flow path). This dimensional change dramatically increases the surface area to volume ratio, improving sample-wall contact and clot formation uniformity while maintaining device simplicity through a single substrate structure rather than complex multi-component assemblies
3Ease of manufacture
If reagents are deposited on the surface of capillary tubes, then coagulation activation is intended, but dissolution and redistribution by sample is less effective, resulting in inhomogeneous clot formation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies reagents to specific localized zones on the substrate surface, such as the sample application zone and flow path regions, rather than uniformly coating the entire capillary tube. This localized deposition, combined with the increased surface area from micropillars, ensures effective reagent dissolution and homogeneous clot formation while maintaining ease of manufacture through targeted application 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
The device achieves precise and reproducible coagulation monitoring with improved fluid flow and clot formation, reducing clot separation and assay time, while maintaining stability and biocompatibility, thus enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of coagulation assays.
Implementation Method 1
The flow path zone comprises an array of micropillars protruding from the surface of the substrate which induce a capillary action in a liquid sample applied to the flow path zone, causing lateral flow through the flow path zone
Implementation Method 2
The surface of the substrate has been modified to accelerate the coagulation of the liquid sample by depositing a coating of SiOx on the surface of the substrate
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a lateral flow assay device for the monitoring and measuring of coagulation and method thereof. Ideally, the invention is directed to a lateral capillary flow device for the monitoring and/or measurement of coagulation in a liquid sample wherein the device comprises a non-porous substrate with a zone for receiving a sample and a defined flow path zone wherein a clotting agent is deposited on at least part of the defined flow path zone to accelerate the coagulation of the liquid sample, enable the formation of an evenly distributed clot along the defined flow path zone and to result in the change in flow rate or cessation of flow of the liquid sample along the defined flow path zone.