Sample Compressor for Universal Lateral Flow Assay
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lateral flow assays require pre-treatment and dilution of samples, which can alter the analyte's conformation and reduce sensitivity, and they struggle with transferring samples and reagents effectively without flow or capillary action.
Innovation Solution
A sample compressor applies pressure to transfer a sample and binding partners directly to the test strip, allowing for compression-based sample application without prior treatment, enabling efficient detection of analytes using a universal test strip with no specific binding molecules and enhancing signal detection with an immobilized binding partner and tag system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If pre-treatment and dilution of samples are performed, then sample volume is increased and uniformity is improved, but analyte conformation is altered and sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sample application step from the traditional lateral flow assay sequence by using a separate sample compressor device. This allows direct compression of undiluted sample onto the test strip, eliminating the need for pre-treatment and dilution steps that previously altered analyte conformation and reduced sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample compressor performs preliminary action by directly applying and compressing the sample onto the test strip before any other processing occurs. This preliminary compression enables efficient sample-reagent interaction without subsequent dilution or conformation-altering treatments.
2Device complexity
If a universal test strip with no specific binding molecules is used, then device complexity is reduced and adaptability is improved, but the ability to detect specific analytes is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The test strip is designed as a universal platform without analyte-specific binding molecules, allowing it to detect multiple different analytes. The sample compressor compensates for this lack of specificity by providing the appropriate binding partners for each target analyte, making the overall system both universal and specific.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample compressor acts as an intermediary that bridges the universal test strip and specific analyte detection. It contains or provides the necessary binding partners that specifically interact with target analytes, thereby enabling specific detection while maintaining the simplicity and universality of the test strip design.
3Measurement precision
If sample and reagents are transferred without flow or capillary action, then sample integrity is maintained and sensitivity is improved, but transfer efficiency is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The sample compressor uses mechanical pressure (hydraulic principle) to transfer the sample and reagents directly onto the test strip. This pressure-driven transfer method maintains sample integrity without relying on flow or capillary action, while still achieving efficient transfer through controlled compression forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional flow-based mechanical system with a compression-based mechanical system. Instead of relying on capillary flow to move samples and reagents, the sample compressor uses direct mechanical compression to achieve transfer, improving sample integrity while maintaining transfer efficiency.
4Ease of manufacture
If binding partners are located on external sources rather than on the test strip, then test strip complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but reagent delivery control is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The assay system is segmented into two independent components: a simple universal test strip and a separate sample compressor containing the binding partners. This segmentation simplifies test strip manufacturing while the sample compressor provides controlled delivery of reagents through its compression mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample compressor serves itself by containing and delivering its own reagents (binding partners) through the compression action. This self-service capability ensures controlled reagent delivery without requiring complex external delivery systems, while the test strip remains simple to manufacture.
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
This method provides rapid, sensitive, and accurate detection of analytes with minimal sample volume, allowing for point-of-care testing with results in minutes and improved sensitivity compared to traditional methods, while maintaining the analyte in its native form.
Implementation Method 1
A sample compressor applies pressure to transfer a sample and binding partners from a sample collector to a test strip
Implementation Method 2
The analyte binds to a first binding partner... An immobilized second binding partner for the analyte is provided... The second binding partner binds to the analyte
Data Source
AI summary
A sample compressor applies pressure to a sample collector and a sample application zone of a test strip to transfer a sample from the sample collector and a binding partner of an analyte to the sample application zone in a lateral flow device. At least one of the binding partners of the analyte is not located on the test strip prior to use of the lateral flow device. The test strip may be a universal test strip with no molecule that specifically binds the analyte is located on the test strip. The sample compressor may be a universal sample compressor also with no molecule that specifically binds the analyte on the sample compressor. The lateral flow device may also include one or more enhancement elements, where the enhancement elements bind to the analyte sandwich to increase a detection signal in the test zone.