Microcavity Sloped Wall Analyte Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting analytes, such as bacteria, in large sample volumes are inefficient, leading to long detection times due to low concentration issues and significant analyte loss during centrifugation and filtration processes.
Innovation Solution
A sample detection container with a microcavity that utilizes capillary forces and a sloped wall at an effective angle between 45 and 90 degrees to concentrate and retain samples, allowing for rapid drainage of supernatant and maximization of analyte collection, combined with centrifugation and filtration techniques to achieve high-concentration aliquots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If standard centrifugation and filtration methods are used to concentrate analytes from large sample volumes, then analyte concentration is improved, but significant analyte loss occurs during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the container wall by introducing a specific slope angle (45-90 degrees) to modify fluid dynamics during centrifugation. This parameter change allows supernatant to drain efficiently while retained analytes adhere to the wall, preventing loss during transfer operations.
2Measurement precision
If large sample volumes are processed to detect low-concentration analytes, then detection sensitivity is improved, but detection time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the supernatant phase from the sample mixture through controlled drainage along the sloped wall. This separation allows the concentrated analyte-containing residue to remain in the microcavity for immediate detection, eliminating the time-consuming step of processing large volumes while maintaining detection sensitivity.
3Quantity of substance
If centrifugation is used to concentrate analytes, then analyte concentration is improved, but analyte loss occurs during supernatant removal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies a non-uniform geometric feature (sloped wall with specific angle) to the container. This local structural modification creates different fluid dynamics zones: the sloped portion facilitates supernatant drainage while the microcavity region retains the concentrated analyte, preventing loss during supernatant removal.
4Quantity of substance
If filtration processes are used to concentrate analytes, then analyte concentration is improved, but significant analyte loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the traditional filtration mechanism with a centrifugal separation system utilizing a sloped wall container. This substitution eliminates the need for filter media that can trap and lose analytes, while achieving equivalent concentration through centrifugal force and controlled drainage.
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 significantly reduces detection time by maximizing analyte concentration and minimizing sample volume, enabling faster detection of analytes in dilute aqueous samples, often within hours, compared to standard culture techniques.
Implementation Method 1
The microcavity can include a top opening, a base, and a longitudinal axis that is normal with respect to a transverse cross-section of the microcavity. The microcavity can be configured to provide capillary forces to retain a sample of interest.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for concentrating a sample and detecting an analyte of interest. The system can include a sample detection container that can include a microcavity. The microcavity can include a top opening, a base, and a longitudinal axis. The container can further include a wall that extends to the microcavity, wherein at least a portion of the wall located adjacent the top opening of the microcavity has a slope that is oriented at an effective angle α with respect to the longitudinal axis of the microcavity. The effective angle α can be greater than 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees, and at least the portion of the wall located adjacent the top opening of the microcavity that is oriented at the effective angle α can have a length of at least 5 times a transverse dimension of the microcavity.