Microparticle Antigen Adsorption Monitoring via Speckle Pattern Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods fail to accurately and continuously measure the quantity of antigens adsorbed on microparticles during vaccine formulation, which is crucial for controlling the adsorption process and understanding the adsorption kinetics.

Innovation Solution

A method involving illuminating the solution with a light source to detect speckle images formed by light scattering, analyzing these images to obtain indicators such as average speckle size or intensity, and comparing them to reference indicators to estimate the quantity of entities deposited on microparticles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If light scattering methods are used to measure antigen quantity on microparticles, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision is insufficient to accurately estimate the quantity of entities adsorbed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidaccuracy of antigen quantity estimation
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the measurement parameter from direct antigen concentration measurement to speckle pattern analysis. By illuminating microparticles with coherent light and analyzing the resulting speckle pattern characteristics (granularity, contrast, spatial frequency), the system indirectly measures antigen quantity with high precision. This parameter transformation enables accurate detection without requiring direct antigen quantification methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces speckle patterns as an intermediary measurement medium. Instead of directly measuring antigens on microparticle surfaces, the system uses coherent light to generate speckle patterns that encode surface information. The speckle pattern serves as a mediator that translates microscopic surface characteristics into observable optical patterns, enabling indirect but precise measurement of antigen quantity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If continuous monitoring of antigen adsorption is implemented, then process control is improved, but measurement time and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess control capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous monitoring by maintaining constant illumination of the microparticle suspension with coherent light and continuously capturing speckle patterns. The system processes speckle images in real-time to track antigen adsorption kinetics, providing uninterrupted process control without requiring intermittent sampling or stopping the adsorption process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical sampling and analysis methods with optical measurement. Instead of physically extracting samples for analysis, the system uses light scattering to non-invasively monitor antigen adsorption in real-time. This substitution eliminates time-consuming mechanical operations while enabling continuous process control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 real-time monitoring of antigen adsorption on microparticles, allowing for precise control of the adsorption process and understanding of adsorption kinetics, with measurement durations compatible with vaccine formulation processes.

Implementation Method 1

detecting an optical signal formed by the scattering of the illuminating light in the solution; this detected optical signal being at least one speckle image

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP2596338B1Method for estimating the quantity of entities deposited on microparticles in suspension in a solution, associated device and use of the device
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 SANOFI PASTEUR SA
  • EP2596338B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2596338B1 patent drawingFigure 4~23
  • EP2596338B1 patent drawingFigure 6(a)~22

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for estimating the amount of entities deposited on microparticles suspended in a solution, as well as to an associated device. The method includes the following steps: (a) illuminating the solution using a light source; (b) detecting an optical signal formed by the diffusion of the illuminating light in the solution; (c) analysing the optical signal obtained in step (b) in order to obtain an indicator relating to said signal; (d) comparing the indicator obtained in step (c) with a reference indicator obtained for a reference solution, said comparison enabling the estimation of the amount of entities deposited on the microparticles.