Membrane Carrier Microstructure for Sensitive POCT Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Point of Care Testing (POCT) reagents using nitrocellulose membranes are limited by the small size of marker particles, which restricts sensitivity due to clogging issues and non-uniform pore sizes, preventing the effective use of larger latex particles that could enhance detection sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A membrane carrier with a microstructure and flow path design that allows particles of 500 nm to 100 µm in diameter, bound with antibodies or antigens, to be used for highly sensitive detection, enabling the use of multiple particle sizes for improved sensitivity and reducing clogging risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nitrocellulose membrane with micropores is used, then liquid sample can move through capillary force, but the pore size is too fine (several μm) to allow larger marker particles, limiting detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pore size parameter of the membrane from conventional several μm to 10 μm or more, enabling the use of larger marker particles (500 nm to 100 μm) while maintaining capillary flow functionality. This parameter change directly resolves the contradiction by allowing larger particles to pass through without clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dual-layer membrane structure where the first layer has larger pores (10 μm or more) for particle transport and the second layer has smaller pores for detection. This dynamic functional division allows different particle sizes to be used while maintaining both flow and detection capabilities.
2Reliability
If nitrocellulose membrane with non-uniform pore sizes is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but clogging occurs with larger particles and detection sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pore size parameter to 10 μm or more, which is large enough to prevent clogging with marker particles of 500 nm to 100 μm diameter, while maintaining uniform pore distribution to ensure consistent flow and detection performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a porous membrane with specifically controlled pore size (10 μm or more) that allows marker particles to pass through freely without clogging, while still providing sufficient surface area for detection reactions. The porous structure enables both high particle throughput and effective detection.
3Reliability
If smaller marker particles are used to avoid clogging, then flow through membrane is maintained, but detection sensitivity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the marker particle diameter parameter to 500 nm or more, leveraging the enlarged membrane pores to allow larger particles that provide enhanced detection sensitivity and extended measurable concentration range without causing clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a porous membrane with 10 μm or more pore size that accommodates larger marker particles, enabling the use of particle sizes that optimize both sensitivity and measurable concentration range while preventing clogging through the enlarged pore structure.
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 membrane carrier enables highly sensitive detection of target substances by allowing larger particles to be used, increasing the measurable concentration range and improving detection sensitivity while minimizing clogging issues.
Implementation Method 1
a microstructure formed at a bottom of the flow path
Implementation Method 2
an antibody or an antigen bound to the particle, wherein the antibody and antigen can react specifically with a target substance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
The present invention provides a membrane carrier 3 comprising a flow path 2, wherein a microstructure is formed at a bottom of the flow path 2, and a particle to which an antibody or an antigen binds is arranged in at least a part on the flow path, the particle having a diameter of 500 nm or more and 100 µm or less.