Micro-device Cell Separation for Early Disease Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current disease detection technologies face challenges in accurately and cost-effectively detecting diseases like cancer at an early stage, particularly due to low expression levels and low concentrations of disease components, leading to invasive, expensive, and inefficient methods that lack sensitivity and specificity.
Innovation Solution
A novel method involving the use of micro-devices that enhance the difference in microscopic properties of diseased and normal cells through the addition of additives and external forces, followed by separation and measurement to increase the concentration of diseased cells, allowing for improved detection sensitivity and specificity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If imaging technologies (x-ray, CT scan, NMR) are used for disease diagnosis, then detection coverage is provided, but detection sensitivity and specificity for early-stage diseases remain insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the detection process into multiple stages: sample preparation, cell separation based on microscopic properties, and sequential detection using different modalities. This allows early-stage disease detection with high sensitivity while using compact, modular devices rather than large imaging systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from macroscopic imaging to microscopic property analysis by measuring cellular characteristics at the micro-scale (e.g., cell size, shape, stiffness, optical properties). This dimensional shift enables detection of disease markers at cellular levels, achieving high sensitivity for early-stage diseases with compact devices.
2Measurement precision
If bio-marker based technology is used, then detection sensitivity for specific cancer types is improved, but detection scope and versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a universal cell separation platform that sorts cells based on general microscopic properties (size, shape, stiffness) applicable to multiple disease types. This is combined with sequential detection methods that can identify various biomarkers, enabling the system to detect multiple cancer types and diseases with a single versatile platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system dynamically adapts by sequentially applying different detection modalities and adjusting measurement parameters based on initial findings. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain high sensitivity for specific disease markers while remaining versatile across different disease types through flexible protocol adjustment.
3Loss of information
If genomics based detection technology is used, then comprehensive disease analysis is provided, but processing time is excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary cell separation and enrichment based on microscopic properties before conducting detailed genomic or molecular analysis. This pre-processing step concentrates disease-relevant cells, reducing the sample volume and complexity for subsequent analysis, thereby maintaining comprehensive information while significantly reducing processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system skips time-consuming steps by using rapid microscopic property-based separation methods that quickly isolate diseased cells without requiring extensive sample preparation or lengthy processing protocols, enabling fast turnaround while preserving comprehensive diagnostic information.
4Measurement precision
If conventional detection methods are used, then existing disease cases are detected, but early-stage disease detection capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces conventional macroscopic imaging and invasive biopsy methods with microscopic property-based detection that measures cellular mechanical and physical characteristics. This substitution enables early-stage disease detection through non-invasive analysis of subtle cellular changes while using manufacturable micro-scale devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects early-stage diseases by measuring changes in cellular parameters (size, shape, stiffness, optical properties) that occur at the microscopic level before macroscopic symptoms appear. These parameter changes serve as early biomarkers, enabling detection at stages when disease components are present at very low concentrations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for enhanced detection of a disease by among others enhancing the difference in a microscopic property of diseased cells and normal cells, thereby enhancing the detection sensitivity and specificity.