QMAX Device Electrode Segmentation for Coagulopathy Assay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bio/chemical assays, particularly for coagulopathy diagnosis, require large blood samples, complex procedures, and specialized facilities, making them slow, expensive, and difficult for non-professionals to perform, while small sensing chips are hard to handle and prone to fluid overflow.
Innovation Solution
The QMAX device, featuring movable plates with electrodes, allows for rapid electrical measurement and sample handling, enabling bio/chemical material extraction and assay with small sample volumes, automatic analysis, and smartphone detection, facilitating easy operation and handling of small sensing chips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional testing methods are used for coagulopathy diagnosis, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to requiring professional facilities and complex procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional modules: a sample receiving portion with well-defined boundaries, a sensing chip area, and an electronic signal detection system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently, simplifying the overall operation while maintaining measurement precision through specialized design of each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary processing system is introduced between sample collection and analysis, including automated sample preparation and electronic signal processing components. This intermediary layer handles complex operations automatically, making the device easier to operate while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through controlled processing steps.
2Productivity
If small sensing chips are used, then productivity is improved through faster assays, but ease of operation worsens due to difficulty in handling and fluid overflow
Solution Approach 1:
The small sensing chip is nested within a larger housing structure that provides mechanical support and fluid containment. The chip is positioned in a recessed area with defined boundaries, allowing it to be handled as part of an integrated assembly rather than as a standalone small component, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining the speed benefits of the small chip size.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates visual markers and reference features that create a scaled-up representation of the sample area and fluid levels. These visual copies allow users to easily judge appropriate sample volumes and chip positioning without directly manipulating the small physical dimensions, improving ease of operation while maintaining rapid assay capability.
3Loss of substance
If small sample volumes are used, then loss of substance is reduced, but measurement precision may worsen due to limited analyte quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing chip incorporates surface modifications and electrode configurations that change the detection parameters to enhance sensitivity. By optimizing the electrical measurement parameters and surface properties, the system achieves high measurement precision with small sample volumes, as the enhanced detection capability compensates for the reduced analyte quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing chip uses composite material structures combining multiple functional layers with different properties optimized for small volume detection. These composite structures enhance the detection sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio, allowing precise analyte concentration measurements even when working with limited sample volumes.
4Loss of time
If rapid electrical measurement is implemented, then time is reduced, but device complexity increases due to electrode and electronic signal detection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode structures are merged with the sensing chip substrate, and the electronic signal detection system is integrated with the sample receiving portion. This merging eliminates the need for separate complex components, reducing overall device complexity while enabling rapid electrical measurements through direct contact and integrated signal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates automated electronic signal processing and analysis capabilities that perform measurements and interpret results without requiring complex external equipment or extensive manual intervention. The self-service electronic detection system handles the complexity of rapid electrical measurements internally, reducing assay time while keeping the user interface simple.
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
The QMAX device accelerates bio/chemical assays, allows for precise measurement of analyte concentration, and simplifies the process, making it possible for non-professionals to perform assays quickly and accurately with small sample volumes, improving coagulopathy diagnosis and handling of small sensing chips.
Implementation Method 1
uses detection of electronic signals (electrical measurement) to address these needs
Data Source
AI summary
Described are methods and devices that can accelerate the process and quantify the parameters for bio/chemical material samples. In some embodiments, a QMAX (Q: quantification; M: magnifying; A: adding reagents; X: acceleration) device having two or more electrodes capable of accelerating the electrical measurement process of the samples. In addition, the electrical measurement technology of the QMAX device enables for extraction, separation, and purification of sample components, such as but not limited to nucleic acids. In some embodiments, the QMAX device includes a plate for hosting a small sensing chip to facilitate a bio/chemical sensing of the sensing chip.