Microfluidic Device for Plasma-Reactive Mixture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for quantifying blood biomarkers are time-consuming, require specialized equipment and trained personnel, and cannot accurately measure low concentrations of biomarkers, limiting their use for personalized medicine and early disease detection.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device that creates a homogenous plasma-reagent mixture using a semi-permeable membrane to separate blood constituents, a capillary channel for plasma extraction, and a mixing chamber with a reagent for quantitative analysis, allowing for direct and rapid biomarker quantification at home without external resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional blood sample processing is used, then accurate biomarker quantification is achieved, but the process requires significant quantity of blood, specialized equipment, trained personnel, and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the complex laboratory process into integrated microfluidic components: blood collection module with semi-permeable membrane for plasma separation, capillary channels for fluid transport, mixing chambers for reagent combination, and analysis zones. This segmentation enables the entire biomarker quantification process to occur in a single portable device without external laboratory equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple previously separate functions into a single integrated microfluidic device: blood sampling, plasma separation via semi-permeable membrane, reagent storage and delivery, mixing, and biomarker analysis. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate laboratory equipment and trained personnel while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If self-administered blood sample kits are used, then the process can be carried out at home with smaller blood volume, but external laboratory resources are still required for testing and analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables complete self-service operation: the user collects blood at home, the device automatically separates plasma through the semi-permeable membrane, mixes it with stored reagents, and performs biomarker quantification without requiring laboratory personnel. The entire process is self-contained and requires no external resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary actions by pre-storing reagents in the device and pre-integrating the plasma separation membrane. When blood is introduced, all subsequent steps (separation, mixing, analysis) occur automatically within the device, eliminating the need to transfer samples to external laboratories and reducing total analysis time.
3Device complexity
If qualitative biomarker detection is performed, then the device is simpler and can be used at home, but quantitative analysis and identification of low concentration markers are not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The device changes the measurement parameter from qualitative detection to quantitative analysis by incorporating precise volumetric control through capillary dimensions, controlled mixing ratios, and calibrated analysis zones. This enables the device to measure biomarker concentrations accurately, including low concentration markers, while remaining simple enough for home use.
4Quantity of substance
If a single drop of blood is used, then the blood volume required is minimized, but obtaining a homogenous plasma-reagent mixture becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses capillary hydraulic principles to automatically draw the single drop of blood through the semi-permeable membrane and into the capillary channels. The capillary action provides controlled fluid movement and mixing, ensuring homogenous plasma-reagent mixture formation even with minimal blood volume, eliminating the need for mechanical pumps or complex mixing mechanisms.
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 reliable and reproducible quantification of blood biomarkers using a single drop of blood, reducing the need for laboratory equipment and personnel, and providing accurate volumetric analysis for enhanced patient monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a semi-permeable membrane arranged to receive a quantity of blood and designed to separate the blood constituents, by gravity when said semi-permeable membrane is substantially horizontal, according to the sizes thereof
Implementation Method 2
a first capillary channel having a first end in fluidic connection with said collection module
Implementation Method 3
a mixing chamber in fluidic connection with a second end of the first capillary channel arranged to passively induce a homogenous mixture of fluids
Data Source
AI summary
A microfluidic device for obtaining a homogenous plasma-reagent mixture includes a collection module for blood plasma arranged to passively separate the blood plasma from a drop of blood taken, a capillary channel in fluidic connection with said collection module and a storage reservoir for a reagent in fluidic connection with said capillary channel. The device also contains a mixing chamber in fluidic connection with said capillary channel equipped with a flow outlet. The volume of said storage reservoir for reagent being greater than the sum of the volumes of said capillary channel and of said mixing chamber, setting the reagent in motion, after saturation of said capillary channel with blood plasma, induces a flow of the homogenous plasma-reagent mixture from the flow outlet.