Optical Particle Analysis Without Physical Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical methods for analyzing particles, particularly nanoparticles and extracellular vesicles, face inefficiencies and inaccuracies due to the need for physical separation techniques like washing and centrifugation, which can lead to particle loss and incorrect size and concentration estimates, especially in small sample volumes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of optically detectable labels that interact stoichiometrically with particles, allowing for the detection of optical signals without physical separation, enabling accurate analysis of particle size and molecular markers based on proportional optical signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If physical separation procedures (washing/centrifugation) are used to remove background interference, then detection accuracy is improved, but particle loss increases and analysis efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidparticle loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the need for physical separation procedures entirely by using optical detection methods that can distinguish particles from background interference through intrinsic optical properties, eliminating the harmful washing and centrifugation steps that cause particle loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical separation procedures (washing, centrifugation) with an optical detection system that uses light scattering and fluorescence properties to identify and characterize particles without physical manipulation, thereby eliminating particle loss associated with mechanical handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If physical separation procedures (washing/centrifugation) are used to remove background interference, then detection accuracy is improved, but analysis time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the time-consuming physical separation steps by implementing a direct optical detection approach where particles are characterized in situ without requiring washing or centrifugation procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous analysis by removing interruptive separation steps, allowing the optical detection system to continuously characterize particles as they flow through the measurement volume without停顿 for washing or centrifugation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If light scatter-based flow cytometry is used for nanoparticle detection, then detection capability is provided, but size and concentration estimates become inaccurate for nanovesicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidsize and concentration estimates

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from light scatter intensity to fluorescence signal intensity, which provides superior sensitivity and linear response for nanoparticle detection, enabling accurate size and concentration measurements that were not achievable with light scatter alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite detection approach combining multiple optical parameters (light scatter characteristics and fluorescence signal) to achieve comprehensive particle characterization, where the fluorescence component specifically addresses the inaccuracy problem for nanovesicle size and concentration estimation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) is used for nanoparticle measurement, then detection capability is provided, but measurement accuracy decreases due to particle diffusion during measurement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the NTA optical tracking system with a flow cytometry-based detection system that uses hydrodynamic focusing to confine particles to a narrow measurement stream, eliminating the diffusion problem that plagues NTA by maintaining precise particle positioning during detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 improves the efficiency and accuracy of particle analysis by eliminating the need for physical separation, reducing particle loss, and providing precise measurements of size and molecular content, even for nanoparticles and extracellular vesicles.

Implementation Method 1

detecting the optical signal of the one or more particle-associated optically detectable labels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection:

Data Source

PatentUS20230251194A1Optical analyses of particles and vesicles

Publication Date: 2023.08.10 SCINTILLON INST FOR BIOMEDICAL & BIOENERGY RES

AI summary

This technology relates in part to optical methods for analyzing particles, including nanoparticles, thereby determining their presence, identity, origin, size and/or number in a sample of interest.