Lab-on-Chip Microfluidic Device for Biological Target Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic devices for detecting biological targets in samples face challenges due to complex sample compositions, high costs, lack of specificity, and limitations in conservation and manageability, particularly with immobilized molecules and expensive non-integrated gels.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device with a capillary insertion duct, electrophoresis chamber, and electrodes that dynamically inject and concentrate targets, allowing for purification and detection in a lab-on-chip format, using a capillary pump and electrophoretic material to optimize target concentration and separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If immobilized molecules (antibodies) are used on the detector surface to concentrate targets, then detection sensitivity is improved, but the cost increases and conservation restrictions are imposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the concentration function from the detector surface by removing immobilized molecules and replacing them with a separate electrophoresis chamber containing gel. This separates the concentration step (performed upstream in the electrophoresis chamber) from the detection step (performed at the detector), eliminating the need for expensive immobilized antibodies on the detector surface while maintaining detection sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electrophoresis chamber with gel as a mediator between the sample injection and detection. This intermediary component performs the target concentration and separation function that previously required immobilized molecules on the detector, thereby reducing costs and conservation restrictions while preserving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If non-integrated gels (e.g., PhastGel) are used in electrophoretic chambers upstream of detection, then target separation is improved, but the cost increases and manageability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrophoresis chamber containing gel directly into the microfluidic device structure, creating an integrated system. This integration combines the target separation function with the overall device architecture, improving manageability by eliminating separate gel handling steps while maintaining effective target separation through the gel matrix.
3Speed
If complex sample compositions are analyzed directly, then detection speed is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to disruptive components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary concentration and separation of targets from complex samples using the electrophoresis chamber with gel before detection. This preliminary action removes disruptive components and concentrates targets upstream, ensuring that only purified and concentrated targets reach the detector, thereby maintaining both detection speed and measurement precision.
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
The device achieves precise and efficient detection of proteinic targets with improved manageability, conservability, and reliability, reducing costs and operational complexity while maintaining the integrity of biological samples and reagents.
Implementation Method 1
an electrophoresis chamber (5), containing an electrophoretic material stationary phase (53), wherein such electrophoresis chamber (5) is in capillary connection with the capillary insertion duct (2)
Implementation Method 2
a pair of insertion electrodes (31, 32) arranged across the insertion section (20) which are adapted to generate an electrical field capable of extracting and injecting dynamically, into the electrophoresis chamber (5), the target contained in the biological sample
Implementation Method 3
a capillary pump (4), in capillary connection with the capillary insertion duct (2), which is configured to maintain the biological sample in motion along the capillary insertion duct (2)
Data Source
AI summary
A microfluidic device, particularly of the lab-on-chip type, for the detection of biological and/or medical targets of interest in biological samples, as well as for the operations of extraction of such targets from native or non-native biological samples, of purification, concentration, and injection in buffer solutions, all adapted to optimize the detection thereof.