Microfluidic Chip with Backflow Prevention for Accurate Immunodiagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic chips for immunodiagnosis face challenges in accuracy and efficiency due to the conventional antigen-antibody combination method, where the fluorescent antibody combines with the antigen first, leading to less accurate detection results.
Innovation Solution
The design of a microfluidic chip with a substrate that includes a fluid backflow prevention region, serpentine flow channels, and separate reacting regions for capture and fluorescent antibodies, allowing the antigen to be captured by the capture antibody before reacting with the fluorescent antibody, optimizing the antigen-antibody sequence for improved detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the fluorescent antibody combines with the antigen first in the conventional method, then the detection process is simplified, but the detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The detection process is divided into two separate reacting regions: the first reacting region for antigen capture by capture antibody, and the second reacting region for fluorescent antibody binding. This segmentation allows optimization of each step independently, improving overall detection accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity through the integrated chip design.
Solution Approach 2:
The capture antibody is pre-loaded in the first reacting region to capture the antigen before it reaches the second reacting region. This preliminary action ensures that the antigen is properly bound and positioned, enabling subsequent fluorescent antibody binding to occur with higher accuracy and reliability.
2Measurement precision
If separate reacting regions are used for capture and fluorescent antibodies, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components (capture antibody reservoir, fluorescent antibody reservoir, reacting regions, flow channels, and backflow prevention mechanisms) are merged into a single integrated microfluidic chip structure. This combining approach maintains detection accuracy through separate reacting regions while reducing overall device complexity and eliminating the need for external complex fluid handling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic chip is designed as a multi-functional integrated platform that combines sample loading, antigen capture, fluorescent antibody binding, fluid transport, and backflow prevention in a single device. This universal design achieves high detection accuracy without requiring multiple separate instruments or complex operational procedures.
3Reliability
If a fluid backflow prevention region is added, then cross-contamination is prevented and accuracy improves, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid backflow prevention region is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second reacting regions. This intermediary structure prevents direct fluid communication that could cause backflow and cross-contamination, thereby improving detection reliability while maintaining a relatively simple overall chip architecture through clever geometric design.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a first substrate for a microfluidic chip, the microfluidic chip, and a method for processing a sample. The first substrate includes a first injection port, a first reacting region, a first upstream end of which is communicated with the first injection port, a second injection port, a second reacting region, an upstream end of which is communicated with the second injection port, and a downstream end of which is communicated with a second upstream end of the first reacting region, a fluid backflow prevention region between the second reacting region and the first reacting region, an upstream end of which is communicated with the downstream end of the second reacting region, and a downstream end of which is communicated with the second upstream end of the first reacting region, and an exit port communicated with a downstream end of the first reacting region.