Microfluidic Lab-On-Chip Card for Automated Immunoassays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current immunoenzymatic assays lack portability, automation, and cost-effectiveness for point-of-care applications, requiring operator intervention and being less efficient in miniaturized formats.
Innovation Solution
A portable kit comprising a microfluidic Lab-On-Chip (LOC) card with preloaded reagents and an automated instrument for managing reagents and reading analytical results, featuring a microfluidic circuit divided into functional regions for sample insertion, reaction, measurement, and waste discharge, with magnetic seals for pneumatic sealing and automatic fluid handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If traditional immunoenzymatic assays are used, then operator intervention and manual handling are required, but automation and portability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional modules: a microfluidic card containing reaction chambers and channels, and a separate portable reader instrument. This segmentation enables the card to be pre-prepared and stored independently, while the reader provides automated detection, reducing operator intervention while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
Reagents are pre-loaded into the microfluidic card before use. The card is prepared in advance with all necessary components (antibodies, substrates, buffers) positioned in their respective chambers and channels, eliminating the need for operator intervention during the assay execution and enabling fully automated operation.
2Weight of moving object
If miniaturized formats are used, then portability and cost-effectiveness are improved, but automation and reliability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The microfluidic card utilizes pneumatic principles with air-filled channels and chambers to enable fluid transport without complex mechanical pumps. The portable reader uses a vacuum pump to draw samples and reagents through the card's channels, providing automated fluid handling in a compact, lightweight device that maintains reliability through simple pneumatic actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional bulky mechanical pumping and mixing systems are replaced with pneumatic actuation and magnetic particle manipulation. The reader uses a vacuum pump for fluid transport and a magnet for bead manipulation, eliminating the need for complex mechanical components and enabling miniaturization while maintaining automated functionality.
3Productivity
If manual handling is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and efficiency are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The portable reader is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform multiple operations: vacuum pumping for fluid transport, magnetic actuation for particle manipulation, optical detection for measurement, and data processing. This universality enables automated high-throughput processing without requiring multiple separate instruments, improving productivity while controlling overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic card is designed to self-regulate fluid flow and mixing through its channel geometry and pneumatic pressure gradients. Once the vacuum pump initiates flow, the card's structure guides reagents through channels, mixes them in designated chambers, and transports them to detection regions without requiring external mechanical intervention, enhancing productivity with minimal added complexity.
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 automated, miniaturized, and cost-effective immunoenzymatic assays with reduced operator intervention, providing rapid and reliable results suitable for point-of-care applications, as demonstrated by successful aflatoxin Bl and lysozyme assays.
Implementation Method 1
said microfluidic circuit is in sealed connection with a manifold by means of elements with magnetic core placed inside said microfluidic circuit and regulated by electromagnets contained in said manifold which, by attracting or retracting said elements, cause the opening or closing of said microfluidic circuit
Implementation Method 2
elements with magnetic core placed inside said microfluidic circuit and regulated by electromagnets contained in said manifold which, by attracting or retracting said elements, cause the opening or closing of said microfluidic circuit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a kit for conducting miniaturized immunoenzymatic assays comprising at least one microfluidic circuit (2) supported on a card called LOC (Lab-On- Chip), and an instrument for the analysis of said LOC, wherein said microfluidic circuit (2) is divided into at least 6 functional regions consisting of: a) Interface region with the instrument; b) Reagent storage region; c) Region of insertion of the sample to be assayed; d) Reaction region; e) Measurement region; f) Discharge region; wherein said regions are in fluidic communication with each other by means of connection channels (9).