Protein Assay Accuracy via pH Buffer Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protein concentration assays using pH indicating dyes are prone to inaccuracies due to pH variations in samples, leading to false positives or false negatives in disease diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A method that combines optical analysis of the sample and protein indicating reagent, pH measurement, and data correction based on measured pH values to accurately determine protein concentration, using a protein indicating reagent whose color varies with pH and concentration, and a pH indicating reagent not influenced by protein concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a protein indicating reagent whose color varies with pH is used to measure protein concentration, then the measurement can be performed, but the accuracy deteriorates when sample pH differs from the predetermined pH due to buffer effect
Solution Approach 1:
A buffer substance is introduced as an intermediary component to control and stabilize the pH of the reaction system. The buffer substance counteracts pH variations caused by the sample's inherent pH differences, ensuring that the protein indicating reagent operates under consistent pH conditions and thereby maintaining measurement accuracy despite variations in sample pH.
2Measurement precision
If no buffer is used to keep pH constant, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to pH-induced color changes in the protein indicating reagent
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameter (pH) of the assay system by introducing a buffer substance. This parameter change stabilizes the pH within a specific range, preventing pH-induced color changes in the protein indicating reagent and thereby maintaining measurement precision without requiring complex pH control mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If a buffer is added to control pH, then the measurement precision improves, but the quantity of substance and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a large quantity of buffer substance to completely control pH, the invention employs a partial action approach by using a buffer substance in optimized amounts that provide sufficient pH stabilization for accurate measurement. This partial buffering approach achieves the necessary measurement precision while minimizing the quantity of buffer substance required.
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 accuracy of protein concentration assays, reducing the occurrence of false positives and false negatives, and provides a reliable method for disease diagnosis.
Implementation Method 1
a protein indicating reagent whose color varies with pH and a concentration of protein
Implementation Method 2
a pH indicating dye that exhibits a color transition when the dye reacts with a protein, thereby forming a protein indicating reagent
Implementation Method 3
a pH indicating reagent
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a protein concentration assay method that uses a protein indicating reagent and that enables highly accurate assay. The protein concentration assay method includes: optically analyzing a color exhibited after a sample to be assayed and a protein indicating reagent are brought into contact with each other; measuring pH of the sample to be assayed; and assaying a concentration of protein in the sample based on the result of the optical analysis, the measured value of pH, and data for protein concentration assay, wherein the protein indicating reagent is a protein indicating reagent whose color varies with pH and a concentration of protein, and the data for protein concentration assay include information indicating a way to assay the result of the optical analysis corresponding to the measured value of pH.