Automated SERS Analyte Detection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for quickly and accurately identifying analytes in biological fluids, such as antigens and antibodies, are limited by detection capability and require complex and expensive automated immunoassay systems, with long development times for immunoassay reagent kits.
Innovation Solution
An automated system utilizing Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) that continuously accepts and analyzes sample fluids, featuring a body with rotational positions for substrate loading, fluid dispensing, and detection, along with a heat source and light source to excite SERS reporter molecules, enabling rapid determination of analyte presence and concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If automated immunoassay systems are used for accurate analyte detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical immunoassay systems with a SERS-based detection system that uses surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. This substitution maintains high measurement precision for analyte detection while significantly reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for complex automated immunoassay machinery and reagent kits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from traditional immunoassay methods to SERS spectral analysis. By using Raman spectroscopy with surface enhancement, the system achieves high precision analyte detection through spectral fingerprinting rather than complex immunological reactions, thereby simplifying the overall system
2Device complexity
If traditional detection methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and detection capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple but imprecise detection methods with SERS-based spectroscopy. This substitution maintains relative system simplicity while dramatically improving measurement precision through the enhanced Raman signal that provides sensitive and specific analyte detection
3Measurement precision
If automated immunoassay systems are implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity and development time decrease due to complex reagent kit requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces automated immunoassay systems with SERS-based detection, eliminating the need for complex reagent kit development and validation processes. This substitution maintains high measurement precision while significantly improving productivity by removing bottlenecks associated with reagent kit requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex reagent kit component from the detection system. By using SERS substrates with immobilized capture agents instead of full immunoassay reagent kits, the system maintains analytical precision while simplifying the overall testing process and improving throughput
Data Source
AI summary
The presently claimed and described technology provides systems and methods for determining concentration of an analyte of interest using Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). An automated SERS system can include a body for accepting a substrate, a fluid handling system, a light source, and a detector that collects and detects Raman scattered light.