Magnetic Sensor Device with Reference Signal Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Assay-based sensor devices for medical diagnostics lack fail-safe mechanisms to ensure accurate results, particularly in untrained hands, due to potential misuse, environmental degradation, and incorrect sample preparation, which can lead to unreliable diagnostic outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic sensor device with a measurement sensor and a reference sensor, where the reference sensor generates a detection signal for known quantities, allowing for verification of the accuracy of the measurement signal and detection of potential errors such as incomplete assays, incorrect fluid addition, or reagent degradation, with a signal processor and output system to alert users of failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reference sensor is added to verify measurement accuracy, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device is divided into two functional segments: a measurement sensor for detecting target molecules and a reference sensor for verifying assay integrity. Each sensor operates independently with its own binding sites and detection circuitry, allowing the reference function to be added without interfering with the measurement function while providing fail-safe verification
Solution Approach 2:
The reference sensor acts as an intermediary verification mechanism that indirectly confirms the reliability of the measurement sensor by detecting known reference targets. This intermediary check provides evidence of proper assay execution without directly measuring the diagnostic target, thereby validating the measurement system
2Measurement precision
If magnetic particles are used as detectable labels, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system replaces optical or other complex detection mechanisms with magnetic field-based detection. Magnetic particles serve as labels that can be detected through their magnetic properties using relatively simple magnetic field generators and sensors, achieving high measurement precision through a simpler physical principle
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the detection parameter from optical or chemical signals to magnetic field signals. By using magnetic particles as labels and detecting their magnetic properties, the system achieves enhanced measurement precision while simplifying the overall detection apparatus compared to other label types
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
The device ensures reliable diagnostic results by verifying the accuracy of detection signals through a reference signal, reducing the risk of misinterpretation and unnecessary device rejection, and providing a fail-safe mechanism for untrained operators to ensure accurate medical diagnostics.
Implementation Method 1
the magnetic sensor device comprises a magnetic field generator for attracting the magnetic particle and the further magnetic particle to the respective sensors
Implementation Method 2
a first moiety which covers a predetermined area of a substrate of the magnetic sensor device and which is a paratope that selectively binds to an epitope of the target molecule
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor device (1) for detecting the presence of a target molecule (20) in a sample, is disclosed. The sensor device comprises a measurement sensor (2) comprising a first moiety (16) for forming a binding couple with a first further moiety comprising the target molecule (20) and a detectable label (40) and a reference sensor (3) comprising a second moiety (50) for forming a further binding couple with a second further moiety comprising a further detectable label (40'). The sensor device is adapted to generate a first detection signal (14) from the detection of the detectable label (40) in the first further moiety bound to the first moiety (16) and to generate a second detection signal (14') from the detection of the further detectable label (40') in the second further moiety bound to the second moiety (50), wherein at least during operation of the sensor device the second further moiety is expected to be present in a predefined amount such that the value of the second detection signal (14') falls within an expected signal value window when the binding reaction of the second further moiety to the second moiety takes place as expected. An apparatus comprising such a sensor device, methods of operating the sensor device and apparatus and a sample for use with the sensor device are also disclosed.