Microstructured Surface Analyte Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting analytes in large sample volumes are inefficient, particularly for low-concentration analytes like bacteria in water samples, leading to significant analyte loss and prolonged detection times due to issues with centrifugation, filtration, and concentration processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a container with a microstructured surface that concentrates samples through centrifugation and decantation, allowing for rapid detection by retaining a high-concentration aliquot of the analyte in microstructured recesses, facilitating quicker detection and enumeration of analytes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If standard culture techniques are used for detecting analytes in large sample volumes, then detection accuracy is maintained, but detection time is significantly prolonged and analyte loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into a first portion for sample loading and a second portion with microstructured surface for concentrate retention. The microstructured surface itself is segmented into multiple recesses that individually trap concentrate, enabling parallel processing and rapid detection across multiple analyte concentrations simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional two-dimensional filtration surfaces to a three-dimensional microstructured surface with controlled pore sizes and depths. This dimensional change enables more effective concentrate retention while allowing rapid fluid flow through the structure, achieving both speed and accuracy
2Quantity of substance
If centrifugation and filtration methods are used to concentrate samples, then analyte concentration is improved, but significant analyte loss occurs during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The microstructured surface utilizes a porous membrane with specifically controlled pore sizes and distributions. The porous structure allows small molecules and fluids to pass through while retaining larger concentrate particles, achieving concentration without the mechanical stress and analyte loss associated with traditional centrifugation and filtration
Solution Approach 2:
The microstructured surface acts as an intermediary between the large sample volume and the detection system. It provides a gentle concentration mechanism that avoids the harsh conditions of traditional methods, preserving analyte integrity while achieving the necessary concentration for detection
3Measurement precision
If traditional detection methods are used, then comprehensive analyte analysis is achieved, but detection time extends beyond 8 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The microstructured surface performs preliminary concentration and separation of analytes from the large sample volume before detection begins. This preliminary action reduces the volume requiring detailed analysis while maintaining analyte integrity, enabling rapid subsequent detection without compromising accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces time-consuming mechanical centrifugation and multiple filtration steps with a single pass through the microstructured surface. This substitution maintains detection accuracy while reducing the mechanical processing time from hours to minutes
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
This approach significantly reduces detection time by concentrating analytes, enabling detection at least 50% faster than standard culture techniques, with the ability to detect analytes in no greater than 8 hours, and up to 90% faster in some cases, while minimizing analyte loss.
Implementation Method 1
centrifuging the container toward the microstructured surface to form a sediment and a supernatant of the sample
Implementation Method 2
a microstructured surface... retaining a high-concentration aliquot of the analyte in microstructured recesses
Data Source
AI summary
Method for detecting an analyte of interest in a sample. The method can include providing a container including a microstructured surface, and centrifuging the container toward the microstructured surface to form a sediment and a supernatant of the sample. Following centrifugation, the container can be inverted to decant at least a portion of the supernatant of the sample from the second portion, such that a concentrate (e.g., including the sediment) of the sample is retained in the microstructured surface. The concentrate can then be interrogated in the microstructured surface for the analyte of interest. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second portion can be substantially transparent, such that the concentrate can be interrogated from the outside of the container, without requiring that the container be opened prior to interrogation.