Metal-Enhanced Fluorescence Detection Through Temporal Decay Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface enhanced fluorescence methods struggle to accurately detect detection target substances due to variations in particle size, aggregation, and detection position, leading to erroneous fluorescence detection.
Innovation Solution
A detection device and method that utilize a metal material modified with a first substance specifically binding to the detection target and a fluorescent material modified with a second substance, using a light source to excite fluorescence, a photodetector to monitor fluorescence over time, and a processor to detect the target substance based on the attenuation characteristic of fluorescence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surface enhanced fluorescence method is used to detect detection target substance, then detection sensitivity is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to inability to distinguish fluorescence from different sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluorescence detection into distinct temporal phases: excitation light emission period and fluorescence emission period. By detecting fluorescence specifically during the period when excitation light is stopped, the system separates the detection signal from the excitation light signal, enabling accurate distinction between true fluorescence and other light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces time as an intermediary parameter to distinguish between different types of fluorescence. By using temporal information (when fluorescence is emitted relative to excitation light), the system can differentiate between fluorescence from bound fluorescent materials and other sources, resolving the accuracy issue without sacrificing sensitivity.
2Productivity
If fluorescence intensity is used for detection, then detection capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to variation in particle size and aggregation effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static fluorescence intensity measurement to dynamic temporal profile analysis. By monitoring fluorescence over time and analyzing the decay characteristics, the system can distinguish between fluorescence from single particles and aggregates, improving measurement precision while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from instantaneous fluorescence intensity to temporal attenuation characteristics. This parameter transformation allows the system to distinguish between different physical states of fluorescent materials (bound vs. free, single particles vs. aggregates) based on their different decay rates, thereby improving precision.
3Illumination intensity
If metal material is used for localized surface plasmon resonance, then fluorescence enhancement is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to nonspecific adsorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temporal information from the detection process, separating the useful fluorescence signal from harmful nonspecific adsorption signals by their different temporal characteristics. This allows the system to maintain the fluorescence enhancement benefits of metal materials while eliminating the accuracy problems caused by nonspecific binding.
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
Enhances detection accuracy by distinguishing between fluorescence in complexes and free states of the fluorescent material, reducing errors from nonspecific adsorption and particle size variations.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that emits light for exciting the fluorescent material; a photodetector that detects fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent material
Implementation Method 2
a surface enhanced fluorescence method in which fluorescence is enhanced by the effect of localized surface plasmon resonance of metal microparticles
Data Source
AI summary
A detection device is for detecting a detection target substance using a metal material modified with a first substance having a property of specifically binding to the detection target substance and a fluorescent material modified with a second substance having a property of specifically binding to the detection target substance. The detection device includes: a light source configured to emit light for exciting the fluorescent material; a photodetector configured to detect fluorescence emitted by the fluorescent material over time for a specific period from when emission of the light by the light source is stopped; and a processor configured to detect the detection target substance in a complex formed of the metal material, the detection target substance, and the fluorescent material binding to each other.