Planar Waveguide Cartridge for Multiplexed Pathogen Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic systems for infectious diseases, particularly in point-of-care settings, face challenges in providing rapid, accurate, and cost-effective detection of multiple disease markers due to limitations in existing technologies such as rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) and microfluidic systems, which often require extensive training, are costly, and lack automation and electronic data linkage.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic system comprising a cartridge with a planar waveguide and a reader instrument that uses evanescent illumination and fluorescence detection to analyze samples for multiple analytes, allowing for simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens in a single assay, providing quantitative results and integrating a lens to focus and refract light for efficient signal detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple different serological diagnostic tools are used to diagnose HIV and co-infections, then diagnostic accuracy for multiple pathogens is improved, but test cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple serological diagnostic functions into a single integrated cartridge system. The cartridge contains multiple capture molecules immobilized on a solid support, allowing simultaneous detection of HIV antibodies and co-infection markers (such as syphilis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C) in one test rather than requiring separate diagnostic tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnostic cartridge is designed with universal functionality to detect multiple different pathogens using a common platform. The same cartridge structure and readout system can detect various analytes by simply changing the capture molecules immobilized on the solid support, making it adaptable for different diagnostic applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different serological diagnostic tools are used for comprehensive pathogen detection, then diagnostic coverage is improved, but cost-effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple diagnostic assays into a single cartridge, reducing the need for multiple separate test kits. This merging approach reduces overall test cost by eliminating redundant components and enabling bulk manufacturing of a unified platform rather than producing multiple separate diagnostic tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for flexible configuration of capture molecules on the solid support, enabling adaptation to detect different pathogen markers without changing the fundamental cartridge structure. This parameter-based customization maintains cost-effectiveness by using a standardized platform with variable detection targets.
3Ease of operation
If conventional diagnostic systems are used in point-of-care settings, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision and automation capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is designed as a self-contained unit that requires minimal user intervention. The solid support with immobilized capture molecules automatically captures target analytes from the sample, and the results are read directly by the instrument without requiring manual interpretation or complex sample preparation steps by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual visual interpretation methods with automated optical detection using a light source and detector array. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with automated instrumentation maintains ease of operation while significantly improving measurement precision and enabling quantitative results.
4Measurement precision
If standardized sample preparation procedures are implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The capture molecules are pre-immobilized on the solid support in defined patterns and orientations before the test is performed. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for users to perform complex sample preparation steps during the test, as the cartridge is ready to receive samples and perform detection immediately upon insertion.
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 rapid, accurate, and cost-effective multiplexed immunoassays on whole blood samples at the point-of-care, improving diagnostic efficiency and resource allocation by providing quantitative data for improved patient management and treatment decisions.
Implementation Method 1
a lens portion, coupled to the planar waveguide, for focusing and refracting a light beam propagating parallel to, but offset from, the optical axis such that the light beam couples into the planar waveguide
Implementation Method 2
evanescent illumination of the assay using the light beam within the planar waveguide
Implementation Method 3
a planar waveguide with upper and lower planar surfaces defining an optical axis therebetween... the light beam couples into the planar waveguide and propagates therein along the optical axis at a non-zero, internal propagation angle
Implementation Method 4
a reader instrument, containing an imaging system and a light source for reading light signals from an analyte-containing cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge for processing a sample includes (a) a planar waveguide with upper and lower planar surfaces defining an optical axis therebetween, wherein the upper planar surface has a plurality of capture molecules bound thereto, (b) a lens portion, coupled to the planar waveguide, for focusing and refracting a light beam propagating parallel to, but offset from, the optical axis such that the light beam couples into the planar waveguide and propagates therein along the optical axis at a non-zero, internal propagation angle β relative to the upper planar surface, and (c) a sample chamber for positioning the sample in contact with the plurality of capture molecules such that a target analyte of the sample is detectable through (i) an assay involving the target analyte and the capture molecules and (ii) evanescent illumination of the assay using the light beam within the planar waveguide.