Nanomembrane Device For Biomarker Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for capturing and detecting biomarkers from biofluids, particularly extracellular vesicles, are limited in efficiency and specificity, hindering their application in medical diagnostics and therapeutics.
Innovation Solution
A nanoporous silicon nitride membrane device with a diffusion-driven physical sieving mechanism captures extracellular vesicles, followed by labeling and detection of biomarkers using a fluorochrome-antibody combination, enabling the isolation and analysis of biomarkers such as immune checkpoint proteins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods for capturing extracellular vesicles are used, then the process can be performed, but the efficiency and specificity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nanoporous silicon nitride membranes with precisely controlled pore sizes (20-100 nm) to capture extracellular vesicles through physical sieving. The porous structure enables selective retention of vesicles based on size exclusion, achieving both high capture efficiency and specificity by allowing only particles of appropriate size to pass through while blocking larger or smaller contaminants
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical filtration systems with a nanoscale physical sieving mechanism using nanoporous membranes. This substitution enables more precise size-based separation at the nanometer scale, improving both the efficiency of capture and the specificity of extracellular vesicle isolation from biofluids
2Measurement precision
If tumor sampling is performed for biomarker analysis, then direct biomarker detection is possible, but the procedure is invasive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses extracellular vesicles as intermediary carriers that transport biomarkers from tumors to circulating biofluids. By capturing and analyzing these vesicles in accessible biofluids (blood, urine, saliva), the method enables indirect but accurate biomarker detection without requiring direct tumor sampling, thereby reducing procedural complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the tumor biomarker profile through extracellular vesicles found in circulating biofluids. These vesicles contain replicated biomarker information that mirrors the tumor state, allowing non-invasive monitoring and analysis without directly sampling the tumor tissue itself
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 allows for the efficient and specific capture and detection of biomarkers, enhancing medical diagnostics and therapeutics by providing a platform for analyzing biomarkers without tumor sampling, enabling monitoring of immune responses and therapy efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
a diffusion-driven physical sieving mechanism captures extracellular vesicles
Implementation Method 2
a diffusion-driven physical sieving mechanism captures extracellular vesicles
Implementation Method 3
labeling and detection of biomarkers using a fluorochrome-antibody combination
Data Source
AI summary
A device and related methods for the detection of biomarkers is disclosed. The device includes a nanoporous membrane having a plurality of pores. The nanoporous membrane is configured to capture extracellular vesicles or other biological material. An assay is used, to determine the level of biomarkers of interest that are contained with the captured extracellular vesicles or other biological material