QMAX Card Thickness Multiplexing for Multi-Analyte Assay Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biological and chemical assays face challenges in accurately measuring multiple analytes in a sample with different thicknesses, leading to issues such as measurement inaccuracies, limited dynamic range, and the Hook effect.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that utilize a QMAX card with varying spacer heights on a single plate to create different sample thicknesses for analyzing multiple analytes, allowing precise control of sample thickness and reducing the Hook effect by minimizing lateral diffusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single uniform sample thickness is used on a plate, then the assay structure is simple, but multiple analytes with different measurement requirements cannot be simultaneously measured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to measure multiple analytes with different thickness requirementsVSAvoidsample thickness control structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by incorporating spacers of different heights at different locations on the plate, creating regions with different sample thicknesses. This allows each region to be optimized for specific analyte measurement requirements while maintaining a single integrated plate structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the plate into multiple functional zones by placing spacers at different locations, dividing the uniform plate into regions with different sample thicknesses. This segmentation enables simultaneous measurement of multiple analytes with different optical properties without requiring separate plates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If sample thickness is increased to improve signal strength, then measurement sensitivity improves, but the Hook effect increases and measurement accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidHook effect

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the sample thickness parameter locally by using spacers of different heights in different regions. This allows optimization of thickness for each specific measurement, using thinner regions to minimize Hook effect and thicker regions to enhance signal strength where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If multiple separate plates with different thicknesses are used for different analytes, then each analyte can be measured optimally, but the assay time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracy for multiple analytesVSAvoidassay time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple single-use plates with different thicknesses into a single multi-functional plate. By integrating spacers of various heights in one plate, it enables simultaneous measurement of multiple analytes in parallel, dramatically reducing assay time while maintaining optimal measurement conditions for each analyte.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If physical fluidic barriers are used to separate different assay locations, then sample flow control is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample flow controlVSAvoidfluidic barrier structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex physical fluidic barriers with a simpler gravitational and capillary-driven flow control system. The sample flows laterally across the plate under gravity and capillary action, with the spacer structure providing physical separation without requiring active fluidic control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances measurement accuracy, expands dynamic range, and reduces the Hook effect by enabling simultaneous measurement of multiple analytes without dilution, improving assay performance and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

configuring the spacing between the two plates with different spacing height at the different areas of the two plates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical spacing:

Implementation Method 2

so that the diffusion time between the two location is 10,000 time longer than that vertically

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS12350676B2Assay using sample thickness multiplexing

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 ESSENLIX CORP

AI summary

One aspect of the present invention is to provide the device and methods for performing an assay that uses the multiplexing of sample thicknesses on the same plate. The sample thickness multiplexing can offer many information that is unavailable in using a single sample thickness.