Nitrocellulose Membrane with Nanostructured Molecule for Assay Reproducibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nitrocellulose membrane-based diagnostic kits face challenges in reproducibility and reliability due to improper orientation and multiple layers of capture molecules, leading to low accuracy and reliability in forming capture molecule-target material complexes.
Innovation Solution
A porous nitrocellulose membrane with a non-covalently bound organic nanostructured molecule, featuring branched regions for attachment and a covalently attached capture molecule, which enhances the accessibility and structure of reaction sites, reducing steric hindrance and improving complex formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If capture molecules are directly printed onto the nitrocellulose membrane surface, then the membrane can be produced with simple process, but the capture molecules form multiple layers and improper orientation leading to low binding efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an organic nanostructured molecule as an intermediary between the nitrocellulose membrane and the capture molecule. This nanostructured molecule provides a controlled platform that ensures proper orientation and single-layer attachment of capture molecules, thereby improving binding efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through non-covalent attachment methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The organic nanostructured molecule creates localized regions with specific properties on the membrane surface. Each nanostructured molecule presents capture molecules in a controlled orientation and spacing, ensuring that each local area optimally binds target materials. This local quality control resolves the issue of improper orientation and multiple layer formation.
2Device complexity
If conventional direct printing method is used, then the production process is simple, but the reaction sites are obscured or inaccessible due to improper orientation and multiple layers
Solution Approach 1:
The organic nanostructured molecule serves as a mediator that simplifies the overall process while enhancing precision. By attaching capture molecules to this intermediary structure, the system achieves controlled orientation and spacing without requiring complex direct printing techniques, thus improving manufacturing precision without proportionally increasing process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The organic nanostructured molecule is pre-formed with specific structural properties before attachment to the membrane. This preliminary preparation ensures that when capture molecules are attached, they automatically achieve proper orientation and spacing. This pre-arranged structure eliminates the need for complex real-time control during the printing process.
3Ease of manufacture
If non-covalent attachment is used for capture molecules, then the attachment process is simple and reversible, but the reproducibility and reliability of assay results are low
Solution Approach 1:
The organic nanostructured molecule acts as an intermediary that enhances the reliability of non-covalent attachment. While the attachment between the nanostructured molecule and nitrocellulose membrane remains non-covalent and simple, the nanostructured molecule provides a stable platform that ensures consistent presentation of capture molecules, thereby improving assay reproducibility and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes specific parameters of the organic nanostructured molecule, such as its size, shape, and surface properties, to optimize the non-covalent interaction with the nitrocellulose membrane. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves both simple attachment and high reproducibility, as the nanostructured molecules provide consistent binding environments across multiple assays.
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 use of organic nanostructured molecules significantly enhances the reproducibility and specificity of nitrocellulose membrane-based assays, achieving at least 10% improvement in selectivity and up to 500% improvement in reproducibility compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
the non-covalent attachment of capture molecule onto the surface of nitrocellulose membrane can be achieved by a variety of chemical and/or physical means, such as, but not limited to, ionic interaction, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interaction, van der Waals interaction, etc. It is believed the non-covalent attachment of captive material (or capture molecule) to the surface of nitrocellulose membrane is a thermodynamic phenomenon, with the dipole moment interactions and/or hydrophobic interactions being believed to be one of the major factors or elements of the phenomenon.
Implementation Method 2
the non-covalent attachment of capture molecule onto the surface of nitrocellulose membrane can be achieved by a variety of chemical and/or physical means, such as, but not limited to, ionic interaction, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interaction, van der Waals interaction, etc.
Implementation Method 3
the linear region includes a covalently attached capture molecule that is adapted to selectively bind to a target molecule
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an improved method of quantitative and/or qualitative analysis of a target molecule using nitrocellulose membrane (NCM). In particular, the present invention provides a porous nitrocellulose membrane that includes a surface and an organic nanostructured molecule that is non-covalently attached to the surface of NCM. The organic nanostructured molecule has a branched region that includes a plurality of terminal region (e.g., terminal end) moieties that are non-covalently attached or bound to a surface of the porous NCM. The organic nanostructured molecule also comprises a linear region that includes a covalently attached capture molecule that is adapted to selectively bind to a target molecule. The NCM of the invention provides an improved reproducibility, reliability, and selectivity compared an NCM in the absence of the organic nanostructured molecule.