Microfluidic Cell Chip for Visual and Molecular Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic methods for solid tumors require separate procedures for visual and molecular analysis, leading to inefficiencies and additional patient discomfort, as cells harvested in FNA or 'touch prep' procedures are typically embedded in glass slides and not readily available for molecular testing.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic chip system that allows cells from FNA or 'touch prep' samples to be analyzed visually and then routed for molecular diagnostics, using immunomagnetic beads to facilitate cell movement through channels for both examination and recovery, with a supportive device for alignment and output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cells are placed on a glass slide for visual examination, then visual diagnostic capability is improved, but cells become inaccessible for molecular testing
Solution Approach 1:
The glass slide is segmented into multiple functional zones: a visual examination zone with a coverslip for microscopy, and a molecular testing zone without a coverslip for nucleic acid extraction. This segmentation allows cells in different zones to serve different diagnostic purposes simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The glass slide is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a visual examination substrate and a molecular testing substrate. By incorporating both covered and uncovered regions, the single slide accommodates both diagnostic modalities without requiring separate processing.
2Measurement precision
If a second FNA procedure is performed to obtain cells for molecular testing, then molecular diagnostic capability is improved, but patient discomfort and procedural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
During the initial FNA procedure, cells are deliberately deposited onto the glass slide in addition to being aspirated into the syringe. This preliminary action ensures that sufficient cells are available on the slide for both visual and molecular diagnostics, eliminating the need for a second procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The state of cells on the glass slide is changed from 'fixed and inaccessible' to 'recoverable for molecular testing' by using specific recovery methods such as chemical treatment or mechanical techniques that release cells from the slide surface while preserving their integrity for molecular analysis.
3Measurement precision
If cells are scraped from the glass slide for molecular testing, then molecular diagnostic capability is improved, but cell loss and diagnostic accuracy decrease
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary substance or method is used to facilitate cell recovery from the glass slide. This intermediary enables the release of cells from the slide surface into a collection medium with minimal mechanical stress, preserving cell integrity and maximizing recovery efficiency for downstream molecular analysis.
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
Enables simultaneous visual and molecular diagnostics from a single procedure, confirming specimen adequacy and allowing quick recovery of cells for molecular testing, reducing unnecessary procedures and preserving cytologic images for microscopic examination.
Implementation Method 1
using immunomagnetic beads to facilitate cell movement through channels for both examination and recovery
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods that enable loose cells to undergo both visual and molecular diagnostics are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a microfluidic chip includes an input area, an output area, a microchannel, and a viewing area. The input area includes an input silo that extends from an upper surface. The output area includes an output silo configured to extend from a lower surface. The microchannel places the input silo and the output silo in fluid communication, such that the cells can flow from the input silo, through the microchannel, to the output silo to be output for the molecular diagnostic. The viewing area is in fluid communication with the microchannel and is configured to enable the visual diagnostic. In an embodiment, a supportive device includes a mount for the microfluidic chip and an alignment arm that translates a magnet into and out of alignment with the viewing area.