Shrinkable Thermoplastic Scaffold for Biological Sample Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in clinical diagnostics is the limited availability or low concentration of biological samples, which makes accurate detection difficult, necessitating methods and devices for high-sensitivity assays at a low cost.
Innovation Solution
The method involves disposing a biological sample on a shrinkable thermoplastic scaffold, shrinking it to concentrate the sample, and utilizing a silica structure for enhanced signal detection through covalent linkage, thereby increasing the sample concentration and detection sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sample is disposed on a large area scaffold, then the sample distribution is more uniform, but the sample concentration is low making detection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the physical state and dimensions of the scaffold. The scaffold is shrunk from its original expanded state to a compressed state, changing its surface area and thereby concentrating the sample. This parameter transformation (area reduction) directly increases sample concentration and detection sensitivity without requiring additional sample material.
2Measurement precision
If the scaffold is shrunk to concentrate the sample, then the detection sensitivity increases, but the sample area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by reversing the conventional approach. Instead of trying to detect low-concentration samples on large areas, the invention shrinks the scaffold to concentrate the sample, effectively inverting the relationship between area and concentration. This counterintuitive approach transforms the detection problem by reducing area to increase concentration.
3Measurement precision
If a silica structure is used for covalent linkage, then the signal enhancement is greatly increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining the thermoplastic scaffold with a silica structure. The silica layer is deposited on the shrunk scaffold and provides covalent linkage sites for sample attachment. This composite structure integrates the mechanical properties of the thermoplastic with the optical and chemical properties of silica, achieving signal enhancement while maintaining a relatively simple overall device architecture.
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 approach significantly enhances detection sensitivity by concentrating the sample and leveraging optical effects from the silica structure, achieving a substantial increase in signal emission, particularly with fluorescent labels, facilitating more accurate and efficient biological sample analysis.
Implementation Method 1
shrinking a thermoplastic material comprising a sample disposed on the thermoplastic material, thereby concentrating the sample on the thermoplastic material
Implementation Method 2
the detectable label comprises a fluorescent agent
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are methods of preparing a sample for detection by placing the sample on a shrinkable scaffold and then shrinking the scaffold. An exemplary shrinkable scaffold is a thermoplastic substrate.