Nitrocellulose-Coated Cellulose Paper for Lateral Flow Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nitrocellulose membranes used in lateral flow tests are expensive, flammable, brittle, and require lamination for stability, with nonspecific protein adsorption issues that necessitate blocking prior to analysis.
Innovation Solution
Development of nitrocellulose-coated cellulose papers with a specific lacquer composition, including nitrocellulose, solvent, non-solvent pore former, and detergent, providing a stable, flexible, and porous substrate for protein immobilization and fluid transport, allowing for a 'one-piece' lateral flow device without separate components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If nitrocellulose membranes are used in lateral flow tests, then protein binding capacity and detection accuracy are improved, but cost increases and handling safety deteriorates due to flammability and brittleness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining nitrocellulose coating with cellulose paper substrate. The nitrocellulose layer provides excellent protein binding capacity and detection accuracy, while the cellulose paper base provides mechanical strength, flexibility, and fire resistance. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating the advantages of both materials while mitigating their individual disadvantages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous materials by creating a porous nitrocellulose coating on the cellulose paper substrate. The porous structure allows efficient liquid flow through the membrane while maintaining high protein binding capacity due to the large surface area. The detergent treatment during coating optimization enhances pore formation and liquid permeability, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and handling safety.
2Stability of the object's composition
If nitrocellulose membranes are used, then protein immobilization stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to required lamination and blocking steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated membrane structure. The nitrocellulose-coated cellulose paper combines protein binding, liquid flow control, and structural stability in one component, eliminating the need for separate lamination layers and blocking steps. The detergent-treated coating process integrates pore formation and surface activation in a single step, reducing device complexity while maintaining protein immobilization stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the detergent concentration and coating conditions to achieve the desired pore structure and surface properties in a single coating process. By adjusting parameters such as detergent type, concentration, and coating speed, the membrane achieves optimal protein binding capacity and liquid flow characteristics without requiring additional processing steps, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If nitrocellulose coating is applied to improve protein binding, then manufacturing cost increases, but protein adsorption effectiveness is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes porous materials by creating a porous nitrocellulose coating structure that maximizes surface area and protein binding capacity. The porous structure allows high protein adsorption effectiveness with reduced material quantity, as the increased surface area provides more binding sites per unit mass of nitrocellulose. This reduces the amount of expensive nitrocellulose required while maintaining high protein binding capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing coating parameters such as nitrocellulose concentration, detergent concentration, coating speed, and drying conditions to achieve uniform coating thickness and optimal pore structure. These parameter optimizations ensure efficient use of nitrocellulose material, reducing waste and manufacturing cost while maintaining high protein binding capacity. The standardized coating process also improves manufacturing efficiency.
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 nitrocellulose-coated cellulose papers offer improved stability, protein binding capacity, and fluid flow efficiency, enabling effective use in lateral flow assays, protein depletion, and western blot applications while reducing material costs and handling risks.
Implementation Method 1
able to bind ample amounts of proteins via electrostatic/hydrophobic interactions
Implementation Method 2
able to bind ample amounts of proteins via electrostatic/hydrophobic interactions
Implementation Method 3
a liquid sample (or its extract) containing the analyte of interest moves without the assistance of external forces (by capillary action) through typically various zones of porous membrane strips
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to cellulose based papers coated with nitrocellulose as well as to methods for producing such coated papers and methods for using them, especially in lateral flow applications.