Porous Binding Support for Lateral Flow Assay Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lateral flow assays face challenges in achieving rapid and sensitive detection of target molecules due to limitations in mobility and accessibility of capture agents, particularly when analytes are in low abundance, and existing solutions like maximizing capture agent density or using organic nanostructured molecules come with complexities such as synthesis requirements and non-covalent binding issues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a polymeric porous substrate with oligomeric metal coordination complexes that form an interconnected affinity network with affinity agents, allowing for improved mobility and accessibility of capture agents, reducing the need for high-density surface immobilization and minimizing non-specific binding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If capture agent density per unit surface area is maximized, then binding capacity increases, but accessibility and mobility of capture agents deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a porous substrate structure that provides three-dimensional spaces and channels, allowing capture agents to be distributed throughout the volume rather than confined to the surface. This porous architecture maintains high capture agent density while preserving accessibility and mobility through the internal pore networks, resolving the contradiction between quantity and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from two-dimensional surface immobilization to three-dimensional volume utilization by incorporating capture agents within the porous substrate matrix. This dimensional change allows high density throughout the substrate volume while maintaining accessibility through the porous structure, effectively resolving the contradiction between quantity and mobility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If capture agents are bound to solid particle or membrane, then stability increases, but mobility and equilibrium achievement time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The porous substrate provides a stable solid support structure while its interconnected pore network allows capture agents to remain mobile within the pores. This enables the system to achieve both stability from the solid support and rapid equilibrium from the mobile capture agents, resolving the contradiction between stability and time.
3Quantity of substance
If organic nanostructured molecules are used to covalently couple capture agents, then binding capacity improves, but device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex organic nanostructured molecules and their associated synthesis and purification steps. Instead, it uses a simplified porous substrate approach that achieves high binding capacity without requiring complex chemical modifications, thereby resolving the contradiction between binding capacity and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple, disposable porous substrate that provides high binding capacity without the need for complex, expensive organic nanostructured molecules. This approach sacrifices the reusability of complex structures in favor of simple, single-use substrates that achieve the same functional outcome with much lower complexity.
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 enhances the sensitivity and specificity of target molecule detection by forming a stable and controlled affinity network within the substrate, reducing protein damage and improving assay reproducibility without complex chemical modifications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one affinity agent associated with at least one metal coordination complex which forms an at least partially interconnected network with the porous substrate
Implementation Method 2
a polymeric porous substrate formed from at least one polymer
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure generally relates to improving affinity interactions by the formation of an interconnected affinity agent network within a porous substrate via the use of metal complexes. More particularly, the disclosure generally relates to a binding support comprising a porous substrate as a component of a lateral flow assay device comprising at least one affinity agent associated with at least one metal coordination complex which forms an at least partially interconnected network with the porous substrate.