Magnetic Nanoparticle Analyte Detection via Phase Lag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic technologies require pre-processing to remove excess signal vectors, limiting the ability to analyze significant sample volumes and detect low levels of disease, especially in systems using magnetic field modulation and fluorescent tagging.
Innovation Solution
A method involving elongate magnetic nanoparticles with a magnetic body and receptor moiety, where a magnetic field is applied and rotated to orient the nanoparticles, and electromagnetic radiation is used to detect phase lag, allowing for analyte detection without pre-processing, utilizing a device with a magnetic field production, radiation source, and detector to correlate phase lag with analyte presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pre-processing is performed to remove excess signal vectors, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes excess magnetic signal vectors from the sample before detection, separating them from the analyte-bound vectors. This extraction process eliminates the need for complex pre-processing while maintaining detection accuracy, as the excess vectors are removed through magnetic field manipulation rather than time-consuming physical separation methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamic magnetic field modulation to orient and manipulate magnetic nanoparticles in real-time during the assay. By dynamically adjusting the magnetic field strength and orientation, the system can selectively control the position and orientation of magnetic vectors, enabling rapid analysis without extensive pre-processing steps while maintaining measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If significant sample volumes are analyzed, then detection sensitivity for low analyte levels is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs magnetic nanoparticles that serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as signal vectors for detection, provide magnetic orientation control, enable sample volume expansion, and facilitate analyte binding. This multi-functionality allows the system to analyze significant sample volumes with enhanced sensitivity while avoiding the need for multiple separate devices or complex system configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses magnetic nanoparticles as intermediary carriers that bind to analytes and provide a detectable magnetic signal. These nanoparticles mediate between the analyte and the detection system, enabling sensitive detection of low analyte levels in large sample volumes without requiring complex direct detection mechanisms. The nanoparticles serve as a bridge that simplifies the overall detection architecture
3Measurement precision
If magnetic field modulation is applied to improve signal to noise ratio, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic magnetic field modulation at specific frequencies to orient magnetic nanoparticles and create a time-varying signal pattern. By modulating the magnetic field periodically, the system enhances the signal-to-noise ratio through frequency-domain separation, where the modulated signal can be distinguished from background noise. This periodic action improves measurement precision while using relatively simple magnetic field generation hardware
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 the analysis of significant sample volumes and detection of low analyte levels without pre-processing, enhancing the ability to detect bio-molecules and other analytes by correlating phase lag with analyte presence, improving sensitivity and specificity.
Implementation Method 1
applying a magnetic field across at least a portion of the sample to orient the magnetic nanoparticles with respect to the applied magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
detecting a phase lag between the magnetic nanoparticles and the rotational frequency of the applied magnetic field by detecting a physical property which varies in dependence on the orientation of the magnetic nanoparticles with respect to the applied magnetic field, wherein the physical property is associated with the interaction of the electromagnetic radiation with the magnetic body portion
Implementation Method 3
The surface coating may be selected so as to enhance the detection process. For example, the surface coating and the electromagnetic radiation may interact to produce plasmons, thereby enhancing the detection of the physical property
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
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AI summary
According to the invention there is provided a method of detecting an analyte including the steps of: i)providing a sample which contains the analyte and magnetic nanoparticles, in which the magnetic nanoparticles include a magnetic body portion which acts as a signalling vector and at least one receptor moiety attached to the body portion for binding to the analyte; ii)applying a magnetic field across at least a portion of the sample to orient the magnetic nanoparticles with respect to the applied magnetic field; iii)introducing electromagnetic radiation into the sample; iv)detecting a physical property which varies in dependence on the orientation of the magnetic nanoparticles with respect to the applied magnetic field, wherein the physical property is associated with the interaction of the electromagnetic radiation with the magnetic body portion which thereby acts as a signalling vector; and v)correlating the detected physical property with the presence of the analyte.