Prefabricated Microparticles for Digital Analyte Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting analytes in samples require complex devices and are not easily adaptable for digital detection, especially for different analytes, and lack versatility in handling varying volumes of liquid without adjusting the final detection reaction volume.
Innovation Solution
The use of prefabricated microparticles that are dispersible in a non-aqueous medium, providing a defined reaction space for chemical or biochemical reactions, equipped with capture and detection agents that selectively bind and detect analytes, allowing for digital detection and amplification of analytes within a controlled reaction space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex devices are used for analyte detection, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the detection system into discrete microparticles, each serving as an independent reaction space. This segmentation allows complex detection functions to be distributed across many simple, identical units rather than requiring a single complex device, thereby improving detection capability while maintaining simplicity of individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The microparticles are designed as universal reaction spaces that can perform multiple detection functions. Each microparticle contains capture agents and detection agents that can detect various analytes, making the system versatile and adaptable to different detection needs without requiring separate specialized devices for each analyte type.
2Measurement precision
If microparticles are designed for specific analytes, then detection specificity is improved, but adaptability to different analytes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Each microparticle is equipped with specific capture agents and detection agents tailored to particular analytes, providing high detection specificity at the local level. The microparticle surface contains specific binding sites that selectively recognize target analytes, ensuring precise detection while maintaining the overall system's versatility through the use of different microparticle types.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows for changing the parameters of microparticles by modifying the capture agents and detection agents incorporated into them. By varying these parameters (different antibodies, aptamers, or other binding molecules), the same basic microparticle platform can be adapted to detect different analytes, thus maintaining both specificity and versatility.
3Measurement precision
If sample volume is varied for analyte enrichment, then detection sensitivity is improved, but reaction volume adjustment becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The microparticles automatically perform the function of volume definition and analyte enrichment without requiring external adjustment. When microparticles are introduced into a sample, they naturally uptake a defined volume of liquid through their porous structure, concentrating analytes within their internal pores. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex volume adjustment devices or procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the volume definition function from the overall detection system and embeds it within the microparticle structure itself. The microparticles have predetermined pore volumes that automatically define the reaction space, separating the volume control function from the detection function and eliminating the need for external volume adjustment mechanisms.
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, versatile, and easy-to-handle digital detection of analytes, allowing for enrichment and concentration of analytes from different volumes without adjusting the final reaction volume, with the ability to distinguish between different analytes using specific labels on the microparticles.
Implementation Method 1
The sample is distributed to a number of reaction spaces, and in each reaction space, there is one analyte molecule at a maximum. The generated signal is concentrated to a small confined space and can thus be easily detected.
Implementation Method 2
said prefabricated microparticle comprises a capture agent that, upon exposure of said microparticle to a sample surrounding said prefabricated microparticle and containing an analyte, selectively and specifically binds the analyte to be detected
Implementation Method 3
said prefabricated microparticle further comprises a detection agent that is specific for the analyte or said complex between said capture agent and said analyte, and that binds said analyte or said complex between said capture agent and said analyte
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a prefabricated microparticle for performing detection, preferably a digital detection and/or quantitation of an analyte. Furthermore, it also relates to a detection and/or quantitation of multiple analytes by prefabricated microparticles. It also relates to a collection of such prefabricated microparticles and to the use of such microparticle(s) and/or of such collection. Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a method of performing a detection and/or quantitation of an analyte in a sample wherein a microparticle or collection of microparticles are used. In one embodiment, in the collection of microparticles, individual microparticles are tailored for the detection of specific analytes and can be distinguished from each other by a specific label indicating the respective analyte for which the individual microparticle is specific.