Lateral Flow Device Sequential Reagent Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional blotting techniques for detecting immobilized analytes are time-consuming and prone to errors due to multiple washing and blocking steps, consuming limited resources and leading to irreproducibility.
Innovation Solution
Lateral flow devices with a wicking pad and stacked reagent layers, including primary antibodies, wash solutions, and secondary antibodies, that allow for sequential and hands-free delivery of reagents to a substrate, minimizing user intervention and resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional blotting techniques are used with multiple washing and blocking steps, then detection of immobilized analytes can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-immobilizing multiple reagents (primary antibodies, blocking agents, secondary antibodies, and washing solutions) onto separate regions of the membrane before the assay is performed. This allows all necessary reagents to be ready in advance, eliminating the need for multiple manual washing and blocking steps during the assay, thereby reducing time and improving reproducibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple separate blotting steps (blocking, primary antibody incubation, washing, secondary antibody incubation, final washing) into a single integrated lateral flow process. All reagents flow sequentially through the membrane in a predetermined sequence, combining what were previously distinct manual operations into one automated flow process
2Reliability
If multiple washing and blocking steps are performed in traditional blotting, then analyte detection is possible, but reagents and resources are consumed excessively
Solution Approach 1:
Reagents are pre-immobilized on the membrane in specific regions before use, allowing precise control over where and when each reagent is applied. This eliminates the need to add excess reagents during multiple washing and blocking steps, significantly reducing reagent consumption while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the excess reagent application and multiple washing steps from the traditional blotting process. By immobilizing reagents directly on the membrane and using lateral flow to deliver precise amounts, the method removes the wasteful practice of adding large volumes of reagents and performing repeated washing cycles
3Measurement precision
If multiple manual washing and blocking steps are required, then analyte detection can be performed, but practitioner time and intervention are excessively required
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral flow device is designed to perform all washing and blocking steps automatically through capillary action and lateral flow. The device self-regulates the sequence and timing of reagent application without requiring practitioner intervention for each step, making the operation simple while maintaining precise control over the detection process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous lateral flow of reagents through the membrane, eliminating the stop-start nature of manual washing and blocking steps. Reagents flow continuously in a predetermined sequence from one region to the next, maintaining uninterrupted detection activity and simplifying operation
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 lateral flow devices enable efficient and reproducible detection of immobilized analytes by sequentially delivering reagents, reducing the need for extensive washing and blocking steps, thus conserving resources and improving assay reliability.
Implementation Method 1
allowing lateral flow of the running buffer or solutions from the first reservoir to the second reservoir such that a plurality of reagents are sequentially transported in the wicking pad
Implementation Method 2
The lateral flow devices enable efficient and reproducible detection of immobilized analytes by sequentially delivering reagents
Data Source
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Figure 2A~2B
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AI summary
Lateral flow devices, methods and kits for performing lateral flow western blot assays are provided. The lateral flow device includes a wicking pad composed of a porous material, the wicking pad having a region for applying a substrate comprising immobilized analytes; and wherein the wicking pad has a first and a second end and two lateral edges; a first reservoir comprising a stack of a plurality of reagent layers located on the first end of the wicking pad; and a second reservoir comprising an absorbent pad located on the second end of the wicking pad.