Magnetic Nanoparticle Sensor for Antigen Quantification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for quantifying colloidal metal particles using electrochemical techniques are complex and time-consuming, making them unsuitable for clinical applications due to the need for chemical dissolution processes.
Innovation Solution
An analysis kit and method utilizing magnetic metal nanoparticles, where the nanoparticles are bound to antibodies and brought into contact with a specific working electrode using a magnetic field, allowing for ionization and current measurement to quantify the antigen without chemical dissolution, using a sensor with a working electrode, reference electrode, and counter electrode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If colloidal metal particles are used as label and chemically dissolved for electrochemical quantification, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and operation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the chemical dissolution step from the analysis process and replaces it with a magnetic field-based approach. Magnetic metal nanoparticles are brought into contact with the working electrode using a magnetic field, eliminating the need for chemical dissolution while maintaining electrochemical quantification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the chemical dissolution mechanism with a magnetic field-based mechanical approach. Instead of using chemicals to dissolve metal particles, a magnetic field is used to move magnetic metal nanoparticles to the electrode surface, simplifying the process and reducing operational complexity.
2Measurement precision
If chemical dissolution process is used to quantify metal particles, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the time-consuming chemical dissolution step from the analysis protocol. By using magnetic field-based approaches to bring metal nanoparticles to the electrode, the analysis time is significantly reduced while maintaining precision through direct electrochemical measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary binding of secondary antibodies to magnetic metal nanoparticles before the actual measurement. This pre-preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming chemical dissolution during the analysis, as the nanoparticles are already positioned and ready for direct electrochemical quantification.
3Ease of operation
If magnetic metal nanoparticles are used and brought to electrode using magnetic field, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses secondary antibodies as intermediaries that are bound to the magnetic metal nanoparticles. These secondary antibodies serve as bridges between the magnetic nanoparticles and the antigen, enabling specific binding while allowing the magnetic field to effectively bring the nanoparticles to the electrode for measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters such as magnetic field strength, nanoparticle size, and secondary antibody binding conditions to ensure that the simplified magnetic field-based approach maintains measurement precision. By carefully controlling these parameters, the patent achieves both ease of operation and accurate quantification.
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 simplifies the analysis process, enabling high selectivity and sensitivity in quantifying test substances, reducing operational complexity and time, and facilitating clinical use.
Implementation Method 1
causing the magnetic metal nanoparticles to which the secondary antibodies bound to the antigen are fixed to come into close contact with the working electrode using a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
ionizing (oxidizing) the magnetic metal nanoparticles in close contact with the working electrode using an electrochemical method
Implementation Method 3
ionizing (oxidizing) the magnetic metal nanoparticles in close contact with the working electrode using an electrochemical method
Implementation Method 4
binding an antigen (a test substance) to primary antibodies using a sensor having a specific working electrode to which primary antibodies are fixed
Implementation Method 5
magnetic metal nanoparticles to which secondary antibodies are fixed
Data Source
AI summary
This analysis kit includes a sensor having a working electrode, a reference electrode and a counter electrode, primary antibodies being fixed to a surface of the working electrode of the sensor, and a dispersion liquid of magnetic metal nanoparticles including solvent and magnetic metal nanoparticles dispersed in the solvent, secondary antibodies being fixed to surfaces of the magnetic metal nanoparticles.