Pathogen Detection Cartridge with Electrochemical Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional diagnostic tests for detecting pathogens are time-consuming, require expensive equipment, skilled personnel, and can produce false positives due to lack of sensitivity, and are vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and reagent availability.
Innovation Solution
A disposable cartridge system that includes sensors for detecting proteins and genetic components of pathogens, using electrochemical sensors with affinity binding elements like aptamers and oligonucleotides, and separate buffers for protein and genetic sample preparation, allowing for rapid and accurate detection in point-of-care or high-throughput settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional diagnostic tests (RT-PCR, serology) are used to detect pathogens, then detection capability is achieved, but the tests are time-consuming, require expensive equipment, skilled personnel, and can produce false positives
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic system is segmented into multiple independent detection channels within a single cartridge, each targeting different pathogen components (proteins, genetic material). This allows parallel processing of multiple tests simultaneously, reducing total test duration while maintaining comprehensive detection capability through multiple independent sensing units
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is designed as a self-contained, disposable unit with pre-loaded reagents and integrated sample processing capabilities. The system performs sample preparation, detection, and analysis automatically within the cartridge without requiring external expensive equipment or extensive skilled personnel intervention, thereby reducing test time and operational complexity
2Measurement precision
If conventional diagnostic tests are used, then pathogen detection is performed, but expensive equipment and specialized reagents are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the complex laboratory equipment requirements by integrating all necessary detection functions into a simplified disposable cartridge. The cartridge contains pre-loaded reagents and sensing units that perform detection directly at the point of care, eliminating the need for expensive external equipment while maintaining detection accuracy through integrated electrochemical sensors and affinity binding elements
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs disposable cartridges that are inexpensive, single-use units containing all necessary reagents and sensing components. This eliminates the need for expensive reusable equipment and specialized reagent storage infrastructure, reducing device complexity and operational costs while maintaining detection accuracy through factory-prepared sensing units
3Measurement precision
If conventional tests are used, then detection is performed, but skilled personnel are required to carry out the test
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is designed to be self-operating with automatic sample processing and detection functions. Users simply need to load the sample into the cartridge, and the system automatically performs sample preparation, analysis, and result generation without requiring skilled personnel to manipulate complex equipment or interpret complex data, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while dramatically simplifying operation
4Measurement precision
If conventional tests are used, then pathogen detection is achieved, but the tests are vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and lack of needed specialized reagents
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent sensing units within each cartridge, each capable of detecting different pathogen components. This modular design allows the system to maintain detection accuracy even if one reagent type becomes unavailable, as other sensing units can continue to function, thereby reducing supply chain vulnerability while preserving overall detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge design incorporates multiple sensing units that can detect various pathogen components (proteins, genetic material) using different detection modalities. This multi-functional approach allows a single cartridge to serve multiple detection purposes, reducing dependency on any single specialized reagent supply chain while maintaining comprehensive detection accuracy
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 system provides comprehensive, robust, and rapid pathogen detection, reducing false positives and equipment costs, while being less dependent on specialized reagents and skilled personnel, enabling effective detection in various samples including biological and environmental specimens.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor includes at least one electrochemical cell having a working electrode, a counter electrode, and a reference electrode, at least one aptamer or at least one oligonucleotide coupled to the working electrode
Implementation Method 2
at least one aptamer or at least one oligonucleotide coupled to the working electrode, wherein the at least one aptamer is configured to specifically bind to at least one protein associated with a pathogen or wherein the at least one oligonucleotide comprises a nucleotide sequence that is complementary to a nucleotide sequence of at least one RNA or DNA segment of the pathogen
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor for detecting a target pathogen (e.g., a virus or a bacterium) in a specimen is disclosed, which includes at least two sensing units one of which is configured to detect at least one protein (such as a structural protein) associated with the target pathogen and another one is configured to detect at least one genetic component (e.g., an RNA or a DNA segment) associated with that pathogen (e.g., an RNA segment that is unique to that pathogen).