Nucleic Acid Chromatography Inspection Tool with Warped Detection Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nucleic acid chromatography inspection tools face challenges in determining the presence of target nucleic acids with low concentrations and in observing the indication from non-front views, leading to potential contamination and incorrect results.
Innovation Solution
The inspection tool features a porous sheet with a detection surface having a strip-shaped indication portion that extends at an angle, attached to a backing member with a concave shape, allowing the porous sheet to warp and capture nucleic acids densely, and a design that allows the indication to be visible from non-front views due to projecting portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the strip is made elongated and thin for simple handling and simultaneous inspection of multiple specimens, then the ease of operation and productivity are improved, but the visibility of the indication becomes difficult when observed from directions other than the front view
Solution Approach 1:
The indication portion is made to protrude in the thickness direction of the porous sheet, adding a vertical dimension to the otherwise planar strip structure. This allows the indication to be visible from side views and other angles, not just from the front, thereby resolving the visibility issue while maintaining the thin, easy-to-handle strip form factor
2Ease of operation
If the strip is made elongated and thin for simple handling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of contamination increases when the porous sheet is touched during handling
Solution Approach 1:
By making the indication portion protrude in the thickness direction, the critical detection area is elevated above the plane of the porous sheet. This spatial separation reduces the likelihood of contamination during handling, as the indication is less exposed to contact with surfaces or fingers compared to a flat configuration
3Adaptability or versatility
If the concentration of target nucleic acid in the specimen is low, then the applicability of the inspection tool for various clinical cases is improved, but the color of indication becomes faint and blurry making it difficult to determine presence
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding indication portion creates a three-dimensional structure that concentrates the color signal in a vertically extended region. This concentration effect enhances the visibility and clarity of the indication even when the target nucleic acid concentration is low, allowing for reliable detection across a broader range of clinical samples
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 design enhances the visibility of the nucleic acid indication, enabling clear detection even at low concentrations and from various angles, reducing contamination risks and maintaining the tool's ability to simultaneously inspect multiple specimens.
Implementation Method 1
insertion of the distal end portion of the above-described strip into a test tube containing the specimen causes capillary action to expand the specimen in the porous sheet
Implementation Method 2
the target nucleic acid is captured and accumulated in the position where the nucleic acid probe is fixed in the porous sheet
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
To provide a technique that allows simply determining presence or absence of a target nucleic acid also when concentration of the target nucleic acid in a specimen is weak. An inspection tool la for nucleic acid chromatography includes an elongated porous sheet 10 and a backing member 20. The porous sheet 10 has a surface including a detection surface 13 that has a strip-shaped indication portion where a nucleic acid probe for capturing the target nucleic acid is fixed. The backing member 20 has an attached surface 25 in a concave shape. The porous sheet 10 has a warped shape following the concave shape of the attached surface 25.