Liquid-Transfer Device with Oscillating Capillary Flow for Bioassays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lateral flow capillary devices face challenges in achieving rapid and sensitive biochemical assays due to the contradiction between the need for rapid assay times and high sensitivity, as high flow rates result in low sensitivity due to low protein binding capacity and high pore sizes, while low pore sizes enhance binding capacity but slow down reactions.

Innovation Solution

A liquid-transfer device with a lateral capillary flow matrix and a liquid-transfer matrix having different flow rates, utilizing the Bernoulli effect to create transverse oscillations that drive liquid into the interior of the capturing matrix, allowing for deeper exposure and increased capture efficiency of substances, thereby enhancing both speed and sensitivity of biochemical assays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If high flow rate is used in lateral flow capillary devices, then rapid assay time is achieved, but sensitivity deteriorates due to low protein binding capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassay timeVSAvoidprotein binding capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two separate matrices: a first lateral flow matrix for rapid liquid transport and a second capturing matrix for sensitive protein binding. This segmentation allows each matrix to be optimized for its specific function without compromise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first lateral flow matrix acts as an intermediary that rapidly transports liquid to the second capturing matrix. This intermediary structure enables the decoupling of transport speed from binding sensitivity, as the fast-flow matrix delivers liquid quickly while the slow-flow capturing matrix ensures sensitive protein interaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If low pore size is used in the capturing matrix, then protein binding capacity is enhanced, but reaction speed slows down

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotein binding capacityVSAvoidreaction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the transport function and capturing function into two distinct matrices with different pore sizes. The first matrix has larger pores for rapid flow while the second matrix has smaller pores for high binding capacity, eliminating the trade-off

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the device have different pore size characteristics optimized for their specific functions. The first matrix region has larger pores locally optimized for speed, while the second matrix region has smaller pores locally optimized for binding capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If liquid flow rate is reduced to increase binding capacity, then sensitivity is improved, but assay time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding capacityVSAvoidassay time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The assay process is segmented into two phases: rapid liquid delivery through the first matrix and sensitive binding in the second matrix. This allows the system to achieve both fast assay time and high sensitivity by performing these functions in sequence through spatially separated structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables rapid and simple biochemical assays with improved sensitivity by ensuring deeper liquid penetration and interaction with the capturing matrix, effectively balancing the need for quick results with high sensitivity in biological assays.

Implementation Method 1

a lateral capillary flow matrix capable of producing a lateral capillary flow of the liquid via a capillary flow unipath from an upstream end to a downstream end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary flow: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

the capillary passageways in the liquid-transfer matrix having a lower lateral flow rate than that in the lateral capillary flow matrix, thereby producing, by the Bernoulli effect, a differential pressure with respect to the two lateral flows sufficient to impart transverse oscillation to the lateral flow in the capillary passageways of the liquid-transfer matrix

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBernoulli effect: Bernoulli Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11280785B2Liquid-transfer device particularly useful as a capturing device in a biological assay process

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 REALBIOTECH

AI summary

A device and method for use in capturing a substance in a liquid, by feeding the liquid through a capturing device including: a lateral capillary flow matrix and a capturing matrix in fluid communication with the lateral capillary flow matrix so as to produce two lateral flows sufficient to impart transverse oscillations to the lateral flow in the capturing matrix, such oscillations driving the liquid into the interior of the capturing matrix thereby exposing its interior to the liquid.