Saliva Analyte Detection Stationary Phase Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lateral flow tests are not reliable for detecting analytes, such as human chorionic gonadotropin, in saliva, compromising convenience and sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the introduction of body fluids into a stationary phase, such as cellulosic materials like cotton or carboxymethyl cellulose, followed by the use of a protein like albumin and a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer, to enhance analyte detection through a lateral flow platform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If lateral flow dipstick tests are used to detect analytes in body fluids, then the test can be performed conveniently, but the sensitivity and reliability are insufficient when testing saliva
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing the body fluid into a stationary phase before analysis. This pre-treatment step concentrates the analyte and removes interfering substances, thereby improving sensitivity and reliability while maintaining the convenience of saliva sampling. The stationary phase preparation and fluid introduction occur before the actual lateral flow analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a stationary phase as an intermediary between the body fluid and the lateral flow platform. This intermediary component facilitates the transfer and concentration of the analyte from saliva to the test platform, enabling reliable detection while preserving the convenience of non-invasive saliva collection.
2Device complexity
If body fluid is introduced directly into lateral flow platform, then the procedure is simple, but the analyte detection sensitivity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The method introduces a preliminary concentration step using stationary phase before the lateral flow analysis. This additional step improves measurement precision by concentrating the analyte, while the overall procedure remains relatively simple and can be performed without complex equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous stationary phase materials to concentrate the analyte from the body fluid. These porous materials provide large surface area and high capacity for analyte binding, thereby improving detection sensitivity while adding minimal complexity to the procedure.
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 the sensitivity and reliability of analyte detection in saliva, allowing for accurate determination of conditions like pregnancy using a simple, user-friendly system.
Implementation Method 1
introducing the body fluid into a stationary phase (e.g., passing the body fluid through the stationary phase)
Implementation Method 2
the stationary phase is cellulosic, e.g., comprising cotton and/or carboxymethyl cellulose
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided apparatus and a method for performing elution of an analyte from saliva. The method comprises: causing (22) the analyte to become adsorbed to a stationary-phase adsorbent, by absorbing the saliva within the stationary-phase adsorbent; extracting (24) a portion of the absorbed saliva from the stationary-phase adsorbent, by applying pressure to the stationary-phase adsorbent; and eluting (26) the analyte from the stationary-phase adsorbent, by passing an eluent through the stationary-phase adsorbent. The method may further comprise detecting the analyte in the eluent, and determining (28) a condition of the subject in response thereto.