Point-of-Care Concentration Analyzer With Centrifugal Mixing Cartridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for processing and measuring low concentration biomarkers require specialized equipment and trained personnel, leading to long turnaround times and limited point-of-care capabilities, especially for conditions like acute myocardial infarction and infectious diseases.
Innovation Solution
A point-of-care system using a flat disc cartridge with a mixing chamber and mixing ball for sample processing, incorporating centrifugation, mixing, and magnetic separation, enabling precise metering and sensitive detection of biomarkers without the need for centralized facilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If centrifugal separation and multiple purification steps are used to detect low concentration biomarkers, then measurement precision and sensitivity are improved, but device complexity and turnaround time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate processing functions (centrifugal separation, mixing, incubation, washing, and detection) into a single integrated microfluidic chip. The chip includes a separation chamber for centrifugal separation, a mixing chamber with a mixing ball, an incubation chamber with magnetic beads, and a detection chamber, all connected through microchannels. This integration eliminates the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining the required measurement precision and sensitivity for low concentration biomarkers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the microfluidic chip contains multiple functional chambers and microchannels within a single compact device. The separation chamber, mixing chamber, incubation chamber, and detection chamber are nested within the chip structure, with microchannels connecting them. This nested design allows complex multi-step processing to occur within a single small device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining analytical performance.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple processing steps with multiple devices are used for sample preparation, then purification quality is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous processing through the integrated microfluidic chip, where the sample flows sequentially through the separation chamber, mixing chamber, incubation chamber, and detection chamber without interruption. The centrifugal separation continuously separates components, the mixing ball continuously mixes reagents, and the magnetic beads continuously bind target analytes. This continuous action eliminates the time losses associated with transferring samples between separate devices while maintaining high purification quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary separation of the sample in the separation chamber before the sample enters the subsequent processing chambers. This preliminary centrifugal separation removes unnecessary components early in the process, reducing the burden on subsequent purification steps and enabling faster overall processing while maintaining high purification quality in the final detectable analyte.
3Measurement precision
If specialized equipment and trained personnel are used for biomarker detection, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation and accessibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated microfluidic chip performs multiple complex processing functions automatically without requiring manual intervention or specialized equipment. The centrifugal separation, mixing, incubation with magnetic beads, and detection steps are all automated within the chip structure. This self-service capability allows the device to be operated by personnel without specialized training while maintaining high measurement precision, enabling true point-of-care accessibility.
4Reliability
If multiple disposable tips, tubes, and containers are used for sample transfer, then contamination is reduced, but loss of substance and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines all sample transfer operations into a single continuous flow path within the integrated microfluidic chip. The sample is transferred once from the separation chamber through the mixing chamber and incubation chamber to the detection chamber, eliminating multiple discrete transfer steps. This single continuous transfer minimizes analyte loss while maintaining sample integrity through the closed microchannel system that prevents contamination.
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
Facilitates rapid, precise, and sensitive detection of low concentration biomarkers at the point-of-care, reducing turnaround time and instrumentation costs while maintaining high precision and sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
rotating the cartridge (150) in a first circumferential direction so as to urge the liquid radially outward and retain the liquid in the mixing chamber (175)
Implementation Method 2
rotating the cartridge (150) in a first circumferential direction so as to urge the liquid radially outward and retain the liquid in the mixing chamber (175)
Data Source
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AI summary
An analyzer system includes a cartridge configured to receive a sample. The cartridge has a plurality of chambers for isolating a target analyte of the sample and collecting a quantity of a first label that is proportional to a quantity of the target analyte in the sample. The system includes an analyzer with a first electromagnetic radiation source a first detector and a controller. The first electromagnetic radiation source is configured to provide electromagnetic radiation to form an interrogation space within a detection chamber of the cartridge. The first detector is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation emitted in the interrogation space by the first label if the first label is present in the interrogation space. The controller is configured to identify the presence of the target analyte in the sample based on electromagnetic radiation detected by the first detector.