Immunochromatographic Assay Device with Raised Tip Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional immunochromatographic test strips face issues such as uneven reagent distribution, random reagent release, temperature influence, inconvenient reaction stopping, and subjective result evaluation, leading to errors in quantitative and semi-quantitative detection, and the improved 'reaction vessel + test strip' mode has cumbersome operation steps that hinder rapid on-site detection.

Innovation Solution

A device for immunochromatographic assay that includes a housing with a vessel body and a raised tip, allowing for automatic release of liquid onto a test strip through mechanical means such as screw threads, guide rails, or a pivoting mechanism, reducing the number of detection steps and enhancing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional immunochromatographic test strips are used, then the detection process is simple, but the results have large errors due to uneven reagent distribution, random reagent release, and subjective evaluation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional modules: a reaction vessel for sample-reagent mixing, a release mechanism with raised tip for controlled liquid transfer, and a test strip holder. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function optimally while reducing interference between steps, thereby improving measurement precision without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The raised tip acts as an intermediary mechanism between the reaction vessel and the test strip. It receives liquid from the vessel and releases it onto the test strip in a controlled manner, eliminating the random release problem of traditional methods while maintaining a relatively simple device structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the reaction vessel + test strip mode is used, then the sensitivity and precision are improved, but the operation steps become cumbersome and detection time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoiddetection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The reaction vessel and test strip holder are integrated into a single device structure with the raised tip serving as a shared component. This merging allows the liquid transfer step to be performed automatically within the same device, reducing the number of manual operations and detection time while maintaining the sensitivity and precision benefits of the reaction vessel mode

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device enables self-service operation where the raised tip automatically transfers liquid from the reaction vessel to the test strip without requiring manual intervention for each step. The user simply adds sample and reagent, and the device completes the mixing, incubation, and transfer processes, significantly reducing operation steps and detection time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If manual liquid transfer is used, then the device structure is simple, but the reagent release amount is random and causes detection errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The raised tip serves as a mechanical intermediary that controls liquid release from the reaction vessel to the test strip. This simple mechanical structure ensures consistent and controlled reagent transfer amounts, improving detection accuracy without requiring complex automated dispensing systems or increasing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 device enables rapid and efficient immunochromatographic assays with reduced detection time and improved accuracy, maintaining sensitivity and precision comparable to traditional methods while simplifying the detection process.

Implementation Method 1

the raised tip breaks the vessel body bottom to release the liquid in the vessel body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

the sample moves towards the other end along the nitrocellulose membrane under capillary action

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3211419B1Device for immunochromatographic assay
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 ZHU HAI
  • EP3211419B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3211419B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3211419B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A device (1) for immunochromatographic assay comprises a housing (12) and a cup body (11). The housing (12) comprises an upwardly-extending hollow bulge (121) for receiving the cup body (11). The cup body (11) comprises a cup body wall and a cup body bottom. A protruding tip (126) and an enclosure surrounding the tip (126) are arranged in the housing (12). The cup body (11) and the protruding tip (126) can be moved towards each other so that the protruding tip (126) can break the cup body bottom to release liquid in the cup body (11).