Microfluidic Reagent Shuttle for Reliable Point-of-Care Analyte Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional technologies for molecule detection, such as nucleic acids and proteins, require expensive equipment and expert personnel, leading to delayed analyses and increased risks of illness and contamination spread due to the need for laboratory settings.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic system comprising a cartridge device with a sample analysis cartridge, reader device, and sample collection device, utilizing magnetic particles, affinity molecules, and signaling agents to detect and quantify molecules, allowing for rapid analysis in non-clinical settings with minimal biohazard risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional laboratory equipment and expert personnel are used for molecule detection, then detection accuracy and reliability are improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable microfluidic cartridges that integrate all detection components, eliminating the need for expensive, complex laboratory equipment. Each cartridge is a single-use device that performs the complete detection process, reducing equipment complexity while maintaining reliable detection through integrated design and quality-controlled reagents.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service detection through automated microfluidic processing and user-friendly interfaces. The device automatically performs sample preparation, reagent mixing, and detection, eliminating the need for expert personnel while maintaining detection reliability through programmed protocols and quality control mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If conventional laboratory-based detection is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to travel and waiting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core detection function from centralized laboratories and places it in portable, point-of-care devices. This allows detection to be performed at the location where the sample is collected, eliminating travel time and waiting for laboratory availability while maintaining precision through integrated microfluidic analysis systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary sample preparation and processing automatically within the microfluidic cartridge, including lysis, purification, and concentration steps. This preliminary action is integrated into the detection process itself, eliminating the need for separate preparation steps and reducing overall detection time while maintaining measurement precision.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If conventional detection systems are used, then detection capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring specialized expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple complex functions (sample processing, reagent delivery, detection, and data analysis) into a single integrated microfluidic cartridge. This combination simplifies operation to a single sample insertion action while maintaining sophisticated detection capabilities through the integrated system's automated processing and analysis functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual laboratory techniques with automated microfluidic processing and electronic detection. Complex mechanical operations such as pipetting, mixing, and separation are performed automatically by the microfluidic system, eliminating the need for specialized manual skills while maintaining detection capability.
4Productivity
If rapid detection is implemented in non-clinical settings, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase for portable devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes in the form of temperature-controlled microenvironments and optimized reagent formulations within the cartridge. These parameter optimizations enable rapid detection reactions to occur reliably in a portable format, achieving high productivity while managing manufacturing precision requirements through standardized cartridge production.
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 rapid and accurate detection of molecules in various settings, reducing the need for specialized equipment and expertise, thereby minimizing the spread of illnesses and contaminations.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of magnetic particles each having surface-bound affinity molecules
Implementation Method 2
surface-bound affinity molecules
Implementation Method 3
The reagent shuttle may be designed to move within the input tunnel when subjected to a force greater than a threshold force
Implementation Method 4
The sensor may be configured to analyze the fluid mixed with the reagent ball and the sample and further configured to generate a signal indicative of at least one of the presence, absence, or quantity of the one or more analytes within the sample
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for detecting molecules of interest within a collected sample are described herein. In certain embodiments, self-contained sample analysis systems are disclosed, which include a reusable reader component, a disposable cartridge component, and a disposable sample collection component. The reader component may communicate with a remote computing device for the digital transmission of test protocols and test results. In various disclosed embodiments, the systems, components, and methods are configured to identify the presence, absence, and/or quantity of particular nucleic acids, proteins, or other analytes of interest, for example, in order to test for the presence of one or more pathogens or contaminants in a sample.