Lyophilized Bead Fluorescent Probe for Rapid Infection Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic methods for detecting infections in bodily fluids are slow, complex, and often rely on indirect indicators of infection, such as host immune system responses, which can lead to false positives and are not suitable for immediate post-operative or contaminated samples, particularly in cases of implanted medical devices and peritoneal dialysis.
Innovation Solution
A rapid in vitro diagnostic method using a lyophilized bead containing a fluorescent agent and a non-fluorescent quencher, specific for bacterial biomarkers, which detects infection by monitoring fluorescence emission in the range of 650-900 nm, allowing direct analysis of bodily fluids without enrichment or clean-up steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex analytical techniques or microbiological assays are used for infection diagnosis, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from complex microbiological assays by using a fluorescent probe that directly binds to bacterial cell walls. This extraction allows rapid detection within minutes without requiring complex cultivation or analysis procedures, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/microbiological assay systems with a fluorescent optical detection system. The fluorescent probe binds to bacterial components and emits detectable signals, substituting complex microbiological procedures with a simple fluorescence measurement that achieves both high precision and rapid results.
2Measurement precision
If complex analytical techniques are used for infection diagnosis, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential detection function from complex diagnostic systems by using a single fluorescent probe molecule that directly interacts with bacterial cell walls. This simplifies the diagnostic system to basic fluorescence measurement equipment while maintaining high detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical microbiological assay systems with a fluorescent optical detection system. The measurement relies on optical properties of fluorescent probes rather than complex mechanical or biological procedures, reducing device complexity while preserving measurement precision.
3Loss of time
If lateral flow devices are used for rapid detection, then loss of time is reduced, but measurement precision worsens due to sample inhomogeneity and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of sample contamination into a beneficial feature by designing the fluorescent probe to specifically bind to bacterial cell wall components. This allows the probe to distinguish bacterial signals from other sample components, achieving both rapid detection and high precision even in contaminated samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fluorescent color changes as the detection mechanism. The fluorescent probe emits specific wavelengths of light when bound to bacterial components, providing a clear visual and measurable signal that distinguishes bacterial presence from sample inhomogeneity or contamination, enabling both rapid and accurate detection.
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 detection of bacterial infections within 30 minutes, differentiating between bacterial and inflammatory responses, and can be performed on contaminated samples, specifically identifying periprosthetic joint infections, peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis, and cerebrospinal fluid infections directly from synovial, peritoneal, and cerebrospinal fluid samples.
Implementation Method 1
a fluorescent agent having an emission wavelength of 650-900 nm
Implementation Method 2
a non-fluorescent quencher having an absorption wavelength of 650-900 nm for quenching the emission of the fluorescent agent
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for in vitro diagnosing infection in bodily fluid samples, a lyophilized bead comprising a reagent and carbohydrate, the use of a lyophilized bead comprising a reagent and carbohydrate in an enzymatic assay, a system for detecting the presence of infection in a bodily fluid and a kit for detecting the presence of infection in a bodily fluid.