Liposome Composition with pH-Sensitive Dye for Analyte Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current liposome-based diagnostic methods require complex instrumentation, high-cost enzyme-containing liposomes, and additional processing steps, limiting sensitivity and cost-effectiveness for detecting analytes in biological fluids.

Innovation Solution

Development of liposome compositions with an aqueous solution at specific pH, featuring surface ligands for analytes, which do not require enzymes or additional components, allowing for sensitive detection using simple laboratory instruments and external stimuli to release content for pH measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If enzyme-containing liposomes are used for detection, then sensitivity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidinstrumentation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes enzymes from the liposome system, replacing them with simple pH-sensitive dyes encapsulated in liposomes. This eliminates the need for complex enzymatic reactions while maintaining detection sensitivity through pH changes that can be measured with simple spectrophotometers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs inexpensive pH-sensitive dyes instead of costly enzymes, creating a disposable liposome-based detection system that achieves sensitive detection without requiring expensive instrumentation or highly qualified personnel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Measurement precision

If pH-sensitive dye-encapsulating liposomes are used, then detection sensitivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection sensitivityVSAvoidliposome preparation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameter from enzyme-catalyzed reactions to simple pH-sensitive dye responses. This allows the liposomes to be manufactured using standard encapsulation techniques without requiring complex enzymatic loading procedures, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If additional components and active molecules are added to liposomes, then detection capability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalyte detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem components
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes all additional active molecules such as enzymes from the system, relying solely on the intrinsic pH sensitivity of encapsulated dyes. This minimalistic approach reduces system complexity to just liposomes containing pH-sensitive dyes, while still achieving accurate analyte detection through pH measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 method enables accurate and sensitive detection of analytes in biological fluids, suitable for domestic diagnostic tests, with sensitivity in the pM to fM range, using easily prepared and cost-effective liposomes, without the need for sophisticated instrumentation.

Implementation Method 1

The aqueous solution contained in the liposomes can consist of an aqueous solution of a base, an aqueous solution of an acid or a buffer solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectpH change:

Data Source

PatentEP3977124B1Liposome composition and dosing method based on use of the same
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 UNIV DEGLI STUDI DI TORINO
  • EP3977124B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3977124B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3977124B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5D

AI summary

The present invention concerns a composition of liposomes containing an aqueous solution and having on the surface at least one ligand specific for an analyte of interest contained in a fluid, said aqueous solution having a pH different from that of the fluid containing said analyte, for use in a dosing method. A method for dosing an analyte by means of the composition of liposomes is also provided.