Lateral Flow Immunoassay Real-Time Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional immunoassays require waiting for the equilibrium state of a lateral flow to detect and quantify analytes, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially for complex samples involving multiple types of binding molecules.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that acquire a sequence of images during the lateral flow, allowing for the detection and quantification of analytes before equilibrium is reached, using multiple spots on a membrane with binding molecules and a liquid phase that carries labels for optical signaling, along with an image acquisition unit and controller for real-time analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional immunoassays wait for equilibrium state to detect analytes, then measurement accuracy is improved, but detection time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing a sequence of images during the lateral flow process before equilibrium is reached. The controller analyzes these images to detect analytes in real-time, eliminating the need to wait for the lateral flow to terminate. This preliminary detection approach maintains measurement accuracy while dramatically reducing detection time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the optical signals from multiple spots during lateral flow and using this information to determine when analyte detection can be reliably performed. The controller analyzes the temporal evolution of binding reactions and provides feedback to stop the assay at the optimal moment, rather than waiting for equilibrium.
2Reliability
If multiple spots are used to improve statistical significance, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is segmented into multiple spots, each containing binding molecules for different analytes or the same analyte at different concentrations. This segmentation allows parallel detection of multiple analytes or repeated measurements of the same analyte, improving statistical significance and reliability while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple spots serve multiple functions: they can detect different analytes simultaneously, provide replicate measurements for statistical analysis, and compensate for hydrodynamic correlations. The image acquisition unit and controller are designed to handle this multi-functionality through automated analysis algorithms that process signals from all spots.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sequential or parallel conventional immunoassays are performed for multiple binding molecules, then comprehensive analyte detection is improved, but time consumption increases due to waiting for equilibrium at each step
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple immunoassays for different analytes are merged into a single lateral flow process. The membrane contains multiple spots with different binding molecules that simultaneously interact with their respective analytes in the sample as the liquid phase flows across them. This combining approach enables comprehensive detection of multiple analytes in one assay run rather than requiring separate sequential assays.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral flow process provides continuous useful action by carrying the sample and labels across all spots simultaneously. The image acquisition unit continuously captures images during this flow, allowing all binding reactions to proceed and be monitored in parallel without interruption or waiting for equilibrium at each spot before moving to the next.
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
Enables rapid and accurate detection or quantification of analytes, improving sensitivity and statistical significance, and allowing for complex immunoassays to be performed more efficiently by compensating hydrodynamic correlations and adjusting threshold values based on flow rates and velocities.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid phase configured to carry the sample and labels for optically signaling the presence of the analytes, and to laterally flow from the first site across the spots to the second site
Implementation Method 2
each spot including binding molecules for selectively binding the analytes at the corresponding spot
Implementation Method 3
labels for optically signaling the presence of the analytes
Data Source
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AI summary
A technique for performing an immunoassay of analytes (102) in a sample (104) is described. As to a device aspect of the technique, the device (100) comprises a membrane (106) including a first site (108), a second site (110) laterally separated from the first site and multiple spots (112) arranged between the first site (108) and the second site (110), each spot (112) including binding molecules for selectively binding the analytes (102) at the corresponding spot (112); a liquid phase (114) configured to carry the sample (104) and labels (116) for optically signaling the presence of the analytes (102), and to laterally flow (118) from the first site (108) across the spots (112) to the second site (110); and an image acquisition unit (128) configured to acquire a sequence of images, wherein each image captures the multiple spots (112), and the sequence of images is indicative of optical signals from the labels (116) at different points in time during the lateral flow (118).