SERS Lateral Flow Strip Hollow Metal Nanoprobes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lateral flow immunoassays face challenges with low sensitivity and inability to perform quantitative analysis, limiting their effectiveness in detecting target materials, especially those requiring higher sensitivity and precise quantification.
Innovation Solution
A SERS-based lateral flow immunoassay strip utilizing a hollow metal nanoprobe with a Raman marker for enhanced detection, allowing both qualitative and quantitative analysis through color development and SERS signal measurement, respectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional lateral flow immunoassay with gold nanoparticle is used, then the device is simple and low cost, but the sensitivity and quantitative analysis capability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Raman reporter molecule as an intermediary between the gold nanoparticle and the detection system. This reporter molecule acts as a mediator that converts the visual color signal into a highly sensitive Raman scattering signal, enabling quantitative analysis while maintaining the simplicity of the lateral flow format
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the visual/colorimetric detection mechanism with a Raman spectroscopy-based detection system. This substitution transforms the detection from qualitative visual assessment to quantitative spectral analysis, dramatically improving measurement precision and sensitivity
2Measurement precision
If visual assessment method is used, then the operation is simple and fast, but the analysis sensitivity and quantitative capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective visual color assessment with objective Raman spectral measurement. The Raman spectrometer provides automated, quantitative analysis of the reporter molecule signals, eliminating human subjectivity and enabling precise concentration measurements while maintaining user-friendly operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from visual color intensity (subjective and limited) to Raman scattering intensity (objective and highly sensitive). By measuring the intensity of characteristic Raman peaks of the reporter molecule, the system achieves quantitative analysis capability with detection limits down to 0.001 ng/mL
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 SERS-based approach significantly improves sensitivity, enabling detection limits of 0.001 ng/mL or lower and facilitating high-sensitivity quantitative analysis, surpassing traditional methods by 100-1,000 times in sensitivity and reproducibility.
Implementation Method 1
Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based detection is an analytical method that can overcome the detection sensitivity limit of Raman spectroscopy. When the reporter molecule is adsorbed on a rough metal surface and is exposed to an excitation light (laser light), SERS signals are increased remarkably due to electromagnetic and chemical resonance at the SERS active site of the reporter molecule
Implementation Method 2
SERS signals are increased remarkably due to electromagnetic and chemical resonance at the SERS active site of the reporter molecule
Implementation Method 3
SERS signals are increased remarkably due to electromagnetic and chemical resonance at the SERS active site of the reporter molecule
Implementation Method 4
Lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) is an analytical technique capable of detecting a target material in an unknown sample based on the sandwich immunoassay technique using nanoparticles
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) lateral flow immunoassay strip containing: a sample pad into which a sample containing a target material is introduced; a conjugate pad containing a hollow metal nanoprobe for surface-enhanced Raman scattering, on which an antibody that can be coupled to the target material and a Raman marker are immobilized; and a detection pad including a detection region to which a secondary antibody that can be coupled to the target material coupled to the hollow metal nanoprobe is immobilized. Use of the SERS-based lateral flow immunoassay strip according to the present disclosure enables high-sensitivity quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis of the target material from Raman signal measurement depending on the concentration of the target material.