Mobile Laboratory Pathogen Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current diagnostic testing for infections often requires individuals to visit clinics, posing a risk of transmission and delaying treatment due to logistical constraints, especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Innovation Solution

Mobile, movable laboratories equipped with computer systems and robotic sample processing and analysis systems that can process biological samples, including nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, and saliva samples, using magnetic target capture particles to isolate and detect pathogens like SARS-CoV2, enabling rapid and accurate testing in various locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If individuals visit clinics for diagnostic testing, then accurate pathogen detection can be achieved, but transmission risk increases and turnaround time is delayed due to logistical constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen detection accuracyVSAvoidtransmission risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A mobile laboratory unit serves as an intermediary between the patient's home environment and the centralized lab infrastructure. This mobile unit contains robotic sample processing systems and automated analysis equipment that can perform complete diagnostic workflows at the patient's location, eliminating the need for patients to travel to clinics while maintaining accurate pathogen detection capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The laboratory infrastructure is transformed from a static, fixed-location facility into a dynamic, mobile unit that can be deployed to various locations including patients' homes, community centers, and field sites. This mobility allows the diagnostic system to adapt to different testing scenarios and reach populations in diverse settings while maintaining controlled, safe testing environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If individuals visit clinics for diagnostic testing, then accurate pathogen detection can be achieved, but turnaround time is delayed due to logistical constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepathogen detection accuracyVSAvoidturnaround time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Sample collection occurs at the patient's location before any transportation or scheduling delays can occur. The mobile laboratory performs sample processing and analysis immediately upon collection, executing the complete diagnostic workflow in advance of what would occur in a traditional clinic setting where samples must be transported, scheduled, and processed separately

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple previously separate functions—sample collection, sample processing, pathogen detection, and result delivery—are merged into a single integrated mobile laboratory unit. This consolidation eliminates the sequential delays between these functions that occur in traditional distributed workflows, allowing all operations to occur in one location with rapid turnaround

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If mobile laboratories with robotic systems are deployed, then transmission risk is reduced and accessibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission riskVSAvoidlaboratory system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile laboratory employs robotic systems that perform sample processing, reagent dispensing, and analysis operations autonomously without requiring manual intervention. This automation minimizes human contact with samples, reducing transmission risk while the integrated control systems manage the complexity of multiple subsystems through centralized coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile laboratory is designed as a multi-functional platform that can perform various diagnostic assays and process different sample types using the same robotic infrastructure. This universality allows a single complex system to handle multiple testing scenarios, justifying the complexity through versatile application across different pathogens and test protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution allows for rapid, accurate, and safe detection of pathogens, reducing the risk of transmission by bringing testing capabilities to individuals, thereby improving turnaround times and public health response.

Implementation Method 1

mixing each biological sample with magnetic target capture particles (e.g., paramagnetic particles (PMPs) or ferromagnetic particles) to generate a composition comprising one or more target-PMP complexes, and separating the target-PMP complexes from each composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic separation: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS20240061002A1Pathogen testing systems and methods of use thereof

Publication Date: 2024.02.22 SALUS DISCOVERY LLC

AI summary

Provided herein are mobile systems for sample processing. In some aspects, provided herein are mobile systems for sample processing and methods of use thereof for detection of pathogens in biological samples.