Reflective Float Enhances Fluorescent Signal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting and isolating target materials in suspensions, such as circulating tumor cells in blood, are inefficient and costly due to the low numbers of particles and the difficulty in distinguishing them from a large background of other cells, leading to time-consuming and often impossible analyses.
Innovation Solution
A tube and float system where the float has a reflective surface, allowing target material particles conjugated with fluorophores to be illuminated and excited, with the reflective surface increasing the intensity of emitted radiation for better detection and localization, using centrifugation to separate and analyze the target materials between the float and tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional detection methods are used to identify target materials in suspension, then the analysis can be performed with simple equipment, but the detection precision is insufficient due to low particle numbers and difficulty in distinguishing from background cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs fluorophores that emit light at specific wavelengths when excited, creating a color-based signal that distinguishes target particles from background. The fluorescent emission provides a detectable color change that enables precise identification of rare target materials against the backdrop of billions of other cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fluorophores as intermediary substances that bind to target particles and convert invisible or difficult-to-detect target materials into fluorescently labeled particles. These fluorophores act as mediators that enable detection by transforming the target particles into fluorescent signals that can be easily distinguished from background.
2Productivity
If centrifugation is used to separate target materials, then the separation efficiency is improved, but the time required for analysis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs fluorescent labeling of target particles with fluorophores before the centrifugation step. This preliminary action ensures that target particles are already marked and ready for detection, so that when centrifugation separates them, the identification can occur rapidly without requiring additional labeling time after separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces time-consuming mechanical separation and manual identification methods with a fluorescent detection system. Instead of relying solely on mechanical centrifugation followed by visual or manual inspection, the fluorescent labels allow for rapid optical detection immediately after centrifugation, substituting mechanical analysis with optical detection.
3Measurement precision
If the float surface is non-reflective, then the manufacturing cost is lower, but the signal-to-noise ratio is insufficient for accurate detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a reflective float surface that enhances the fluorescent signal by reflecting excitation light and emitted fluorescence. This reflective property increases the intensity of the fluorescent signal, improving the signal-to-noise ratio and making target particles more distinguishable from background, while the reflection principle is simple to implement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reflective dimension to the float surface that interacts with the fluorescent emission. By adding reflectivity to the float, the system creates an optical feedback mechanism that amplifies the fluorescent signal from target particles, effectively using the reflective dimension to enhance detection without adding complex instrumentation.
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 reflective float system enhances the signal-to-noise ratio and improves the detection efficiency of target materials by increasing the intensity of emitted radiation, reducing particle movement and making it easier to identify and relocate them, thus facilitating more accurate and efficient analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The tube, float and suspension are centrifuged so that at least a portion of the target material is located between the inner wall of the tube and the reflective surface of the float
Implementation Method 2
the material between the float and tube is illuminated with one or more channels of excitation radiation, which causes the fluorophores to become excited and emit radiation at longer wavelengths
Implementation Method 3
The reflective surface of the float reflects the excitation radiation and the emitted radiation. As a result, the reflected excitation radiation may excite fluorophores that are not able to be directly illuminated by the excitation radiation and the reflected emitted radiation increases the total intensity of the emitted radiation
Data Source
AI summary
Tube and float systems for analyzing target materials of a suspension include in which at least a portion of the outer surface of the float is reflective are described. The target material particles can be conjugated with fluorophores. In order to identify the target material, the material between the float and tube is illuminated with one or more channels of excitation radiation, which causes the fluorophores to become excited and emit radiation at longer wavelengths. The reflective surface of the float reflects the excitation radiation and the emitted radiation.