Magnetic Field CTC Detection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are invasive, time-consuming, costly, and lack accuracy, requiring large sample sizes and multiple hospital visits, with limitations in sensitivity and the ability to observe cell morphology.
Innovation Solution
A detection system and method using immunomagnetic beads combined with a microchannel and coherent light to isolate and count CTCs, employing a magnetic field to decelerate labeled cells and an optical sensing module to detect flow velocity changes, allowing for rapid and accurate detection of CTCs in a small blood sample.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If flow cytometry is used for CTC detection, then rapid detection schemes are provided, but detection sensitivity is low and cell morphology cannot be observed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical flow cytometry system with a magnetic field-based detection system. Immunomagnetic beads coated with antibodies specific to CTC surface markers are used to label and capture CTCs, which are then detected using a magnetic field sensor. This substitution enables both rapid detection and high sensitivity by directly measuring magnetic properties rather than relying on traditional optical scattering methods that miss morphology information.
2Measurement precision
If immunofluorescence is used for CTC detection, then cell morphology can be directly observed and detection sensitivity is high, but subjective differences in judgment occur due to heterogeneity of cell antigen expression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective optical microscopy observation with an objective magnetic field measurement system. The magnetic sensor provides quantitative, objective measurements of magnetic flux changes caused by immunomagnetic beads bound to CTCs. This eliminates the subjectivity inherent in visual morphology assessment while maintaining high detection sensitivity through magnetic property measurement rather than visual inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from optical properties (fluorescence intensity, morphology) to magnetic properties (magnetic flux, magnetic field strength). By measuring magnetic field changes caused by immunomagnetic beads, the system provides quantitative, objective data that is not affected by the heterogeneity of cell antigen expression or observer subjectivity, while maintaining high sensitivity through the magnetic properties of the beads.
3Measurement precision
If FISH is used for CTC detection, then high stability and sensitivity are achieved, but probe hybridization efficiency is low and susceptibility to interference occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical hybridization-based FISH method with a magnetic field-based detection method. Instead of using fluorescent probes that must hybridize to specific DNA sequences (a process susceptible to interference and efficiency variations), the system uses immunomagnetic beads that bind to surface markers on CTCs through antibody-antigen interaction. The detection then relies on measuring magnetic field changes rather than optical fluorescence, eliminating the hybridization step entirely and improving both reliability and sensitivity.
4Measurement precision
If RT-PCR is used for CTC detection, then high sensitivity is achieved by directly detecting RNA, but RNA degradation and pollution cause interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the molecular biology-based RT-PCR method with a physical magnetic field detection method. Instead of amplifying and detecting RNA sequences (which are prone to degradation and contamination), the system uses immunomagnetic beads coated with antibodies against CTC surface markers. The detection measures magnetic flux changes caused by these beads binding to CTCs, providing a direct physical measurement that avoids all the RNA handling steps and their associated problems of degradation and pollution.
5Productivity
If NGS is used for CTC detection, then high sensitivity and fast speed are achieved, but high cost prevents popularization and cell morphology cannot be observed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex, expensive NGS sequencing system with a simple magnetic field detection system. Instead of requiring expensive sequencing instruments and bioinformatics analysis, the system uses immunomagnetic beads and a magnetic sensor to directly detect and count CTCs. The measurement principle is based on detecting changes in magnetic flux caused by the beads binding to CTCs, providing a cost-effective solution that maintains high detection speed and sensitivity while enabling morphology observation through the magnetic field measurement approach.
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 fast, accurate, and cost-effective detection of CTCs with improved sensitivity and reduced sample requirements, facilitating early cancer screening and reducing metastasis risk by allowing for widespread, rapid screening of cancer patients.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field source, provided outside the microchannel, and configured to provide a magnetic field to the microchannel, and the magnetic field applying a magnetic force to the magnetic bead of the labeled sample, and the magnetic force including at least one magnetic force component and the magnetic force component being opposite to the flow direction
Implementation Method 2
a coherent light source, provided above the platform, and configured to apply coherent light to the microchannel; and an optical sensing module, provided above the platform, and configured to receive interference light caused by the coherent light being reflected by the labeled sample inside the microchannel
Data Source
AI summary
A detection system and method for the migrating cell is provided. The system is configured to detect a migrating cell combined with an immunomagnetic bead. The system includes a platform, a microchannel, a magnetic field source, a coherent light source and an optical sensing module. The microchannel is configured to allow the migrating cell to flow in it along a flow direction. The magnetic field source is configured to provide magnetic force to the migrating cell combined with the immunomagnetic bead. The magnetic force includes at least one magnetic force component and the magnetic force component is opposite to the flow direction of the microchannel. The coherent light source is configured to provide the microchannel with the coherent light. The optical sensing module is configured to receive the interference light caused by the coherent light being reflected by the sample inside the microchannel.