Portable Biosensor for Active Tuberculosis Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing active tuberculosis are complex, time-consuming, and require multiple samples and instrumental parts, making them unsuitable for use outside a hospital setting, particularly in areas with limited healthcare resources where rapid and reliable diagnosis is crucial.
Innovation Solution
A method involving real-time detection of antibodies against mycolic acid derivatives using a portable device that pretreats a single sample with a sterol lipid and separates it into fractions exposed to immobilized mycolic acid antigens and controls, allowing for direct binding detection on a biosensor, reducing the need for multiple samples and instrumental parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple samples and instrumental parts are used for TB detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection functions into a single integrated biosensor platform. The device integrates sample treatment, antibody-antigen interaction, and detection capabilities in one unit, eliminating the need for separate instrumental parts while maintaining detection accuracy through the standardized assay protocol
Solution Approach 2:
The biosensor device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both the reaction vessel and the detection instrument. The same device handles sample preparation, incubation, and readout, making it suitable for point-of-care settings where simplicity is crucial
2Reliability
If multiple samples and complex procedures are used, then reliability of detection is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-coating the biosensor surface with capture antibodies before sample introduction. This pre-preparation step ensures that when the sample is introduced, the detection can proceed immediately without delays for surface preparation, maintaining reliability while reducing total diagnosis time
Solution Approach 2:
The assay protocol is designed for continuous operation without interruption. Sample introduction, incubation, and detection occur in a continuous workflow within the same device, eliminating time losses from transferring samples between different instruments while maintaining detection reliability
3Measurement precision
If multiple samples are collected and processed, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process into distinct functional zones within a single device: a sample treatment zone, an interaction zone with immobilized antigens, and a detection zone. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity of operation and 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
Enables rapid and reliable detection of active tuberculosis in under 15 to 25 minutes using a portable device, suitable for point-of-care testing outside a hospital environment, with the ability to determine infection status quickly and accurately.
Implementation Method 1
contacting said sample to a sterol lipid; wherein said sterol lipid binds to antibodies against sterol in said sample
Implementation Method 2
exposing the first of said fractions to a substrate carrying an immobilised mycolic acid derived antigen; detecting binding of antibodies to the antigen
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are methods of detecting a marker for active tuberculosis, and a portable device for carrying out a method of detecting a marker for active tuberculosis. Also provided is a system for carrying out a method of detecting a marker for active tuberculosis, a method for pre-treating a sample stream from a human or animal suspected of having active tuberculosis, a system for pre-treating a sample stream from a human or animal suspected of having active tuberculosis and kits for performing said methods.