Lyophilized Reagent Anchoring on Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lyophilized reagents are fragile, difficult to handle automatically, and often break during singulation, making them unsuitable for high-throughput and precise assays, especially in microchannel or microcapillary architectures where they cannot fit due to size constraints and require costly equipment for handling.
Innovation Solution
The method involves anchoring dried reagents on a substrate using an adhesive layer and plasma treatment, allowing for the formation of dried reagent:substrate complexes that can be easily handled and integrated into microfluidic devices, reducing reagent height, and facilitating automated processing without the need for singulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional lyophilized reagent beads are used, then reagents can be stabilized for storage, but they become fragile and break during singulation and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reagent with a substrate to form an integrated reagent:substrate complex. The dried reagent is anchored to the substrate surface, creating a unified structure that prevents the reagent from being fragile and breakable during handling. This combination allows the reagent to maintain stability while gaining the mechanical strength of the substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The reagent is dried and anchored to the substrate in advance before use. This preliminary action of drying and anchoring the reagent to the substrate eliminates the need for subsequent singulation steps that would cause breaking. The reagent is prepared in a stable, anchored state that can be directly used in assays without further manipulation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional lyophilized beads are used, then reagents can be stored stably, but they require costly specialized equipment for automated handling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the reagent handling process by anchoring the dried reagent directly to the substrate, eliminating the need for separate singulation and handling steps. This segmentation of the reagent from its handling process allows standard automated equipment to be used instead of specialized equipment, reducing device complexity while maintaining stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional lyophilized beads are used, then reagents can be stored stably, but they cannot fit in microchannel or microcapillary architectures due to size constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions the reagent from a three-dimensional bead structure to a two-dimensional planar structure by drying it on the substrate surface. This dimensional change reduces the reagent's height and overall volume, allowing it to fit within the constrained dimensions of microchannel and microcapillary architectures while maintaining its stability through anchoring to the substrate.
4Stability of the object's composition
If conventional lyophilized beads are used, then reagents can be stored stably, but they require manual or complex automated manipulation before use
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent is dried and anchored to the substrate in advance, performing the preparation action beforehand. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent manipulation steps such as singulation, transfer, and positioning, making the reagent ready for direct use in assays. The anchored state provides ease of operation by allowing simple pickup and placement without complex manipulation.
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
This approach enables the use of dried reagent:substrate complexes in microfluidic devices, enhancing assay throughput, precision, and stability, while reducing manufacturing costs and handling risks, as they can be easily accommodated in small spaces and are robust enough for automated assembly.
Implementation Method 1
applying an adhesive layer to a side of a substrate
Implementation Method 2
plasma treating a side of the substrate opposite the adhesive layer
Implementation Method 3
freezing the aliquot of the liquid reagent on the plasma treated side of the substrate
Implementation Method 4
lyophilizing the frozen aliquot of the reagent, thereby generating a dried reagent:substrate complex
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are methods for producing dried reagent: substrate complexes suitable for use in various types of assays. Specifically, the surface of the substrate can be modified such that subsequent lyophilization of the reagent on the substrate's surface can result in the dried reagent being anchored to the substrate's surface.