Planar Biochemical Device for Simultaneous Optical Assay Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biochemical testing methods require extensive equipment and resources, leading to increased costs and reduced efficiency due to the need for multiple tests to be conducted sequentially or in parallel with different reagents and biosamples, necessitating a solution to streamline and accelerate the testing process.
Innovation Solution
A planar biochemical device featuring a two-dimensional array of sample holders with integrated heating and optical components, allowing for simultaneous or near-simultaneous processing of multiple assays using a single device, which includes a planar heater, optical substrate layer for light distribution, and detection layer with filters and detectors to analyze luminescent, fluorescent, and phosphorescent signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple biochemical tests are conducted individually in serial or in parallel, then comprehensive patient diagnosis can be achieved, but equipment size, cost, and testing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent biochemical testing systems into a single integrated microfluidic device. Multiple sample holders, reagent reservoirs, heating elements, and optical detection systems are combined in one compact platform, allowing simultaneous execution of multiple assays without requiring separate equipment for each test
Solution Approach 2:
The device achieves multi-functionality by incorporating universal components that can perform multiple functions: a single planar heater serves all sample holders, one optical source distributes light to multiple assays, and a shared detection layer monitors all reactions. This universal design reduces equipment size while maintaining comprehensive testing capability
2Measurement precision
If multiple different reagents and biosamples are used for different tests, then accurate patient diagnosis can be achieved, but testing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments different assays into separate sample holders while maintaining integration through shared resources. Each sample holder is independently configured with specific reagents and biosamples needed for particular tests, allowing precise measurement for each assay type while avoiding the need for completely separate equipment for each test
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the device (individual sample holders) are optimized with local quality - each holder contains the specific reagents, enzymes, and biosamples required for its designated assay. This allows each test to have its optimal material composition while the overall device remains compact and integrated
3Loss of time
If sequential testing is performed with one test after another, then equipment simplicity can be maintained, but testing time and patient wait time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables continuous useful action by allowing multiple assays to proceed simultaneously in parallel sample holders. While one assay is being measured, other assays are also being processed, eliminating idle time between tests and maximizing the productive use of all device components throughout the testing period
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from sequential (one-dimensional) testing to parallel (multi-dimensional) processing by arranging multiple sample holders in a spatial array. This dimensional change allows simultaneous execution of multiple tests, dramatically reducing total testing time while maintaining equipment simplicity through the shared planar architecture
4Reliability
If separate equipment is used for each biochemical test, then test accuracy can be maintained, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate testing equipment are merged into a single integrated device that maintains the functional independence of each assay. Each sample holder preserves the specific reagents and conditions needed for accurate testing, while sharing common infrastructure (heating, illumination, detection) that reduces overall equipment count and cost
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
Enables efficient, cost-effective, and rapid processing of multiple biochemical assays by integrating heating and optical analysis in a compact format, allowing for simultaneous interrogation of multiple samples while maintaining high accuracy and reducing equipment size and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a planar heater coupled to the plurality of sample holders, wherein the planar heater is operable to heat the plurality of sample holders
Implementation Method 2
an optical substrate layer coupled to the planar heater, wherein the optical substrate layer distributes light from one or more optical sources to each of the sample holders
Implementation Method 3
The received light includes luminescent light resulting from a chemical reaction in a first assay
Implementation Method 4
The received light includes fluorescent light resulting from excitation of a sample in a first assay
Implementation Method 5
The received light includes phosphorescent light resulting from excitation of a sample in a first assay
Implementation Method 6
one or more optical filters positioned between the optical detection layer and the optical substrate, wherein each optical filter passes light of a predetermined wavelength and bandwidth and rejects light outside the predetermined wavelength and bandwidth
Implementation Method 7
one or more diffraction gratings positioned between the optical detection layer and the optical substrate, the diffraction gratings separate different colors in the received light with little or no attenuation
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology includes a planar device for performing multiple biochemical assays at the same time, or nearly the same time. Each assay may include a biosample including a biochemical, enzyme, DNA, and/or any other biochemical or biological sample. Each assay may include one or more tags including dyes and/or other chemicals/reagents whose optical characteristics change based on chemical characteristics of the biological sample being tested. Each assay may be optically pumped to cause one or more of luminescence, phosphorescence, or fluorescence of the assay that may be detected by one or more optical detectors. For example, an assay may include two tags and a biosample. Each tag may be pumped by different wavelengths of light and may produce different wavelengths of light that is filtered and detected by one or more detectors. The pump wavelengths may be different from one another and different from the produced wavelengths.