Sinuous Capillary Vent for Lateral Flow Assay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lateral flow diagnostic assay devices require different physical layouts for varying sample types, leading to inconsistent sample flow rates and assay sensitivity due to sample viscosity and density, resulting in imprecision in analytical results.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a configurable sinuous capillary vent that creates backpressure to control sample flow rates, minimizing the impact of sample viscosity and density variations, thereby standardizing the assay device and enhancing sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If different physical layouts are designed for varying sample types, then sample flow rate can be adjusted for different viscosities and densities, but device complexity increases and standardization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the wicking zone (surface area, volume, depth) to control sample flow rate. By varying these parameters, the device can accommodate different sample viscosities and densities without requiring completely different physical layouts, thus resolving the contradiction between flow rate adjustment and device standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal device platform with standardized zones (sample addition zone, reaction zone, wicking zone) that can handle multiple sample types. The wicking zone's configurable parameters allow the same device structure to be adapted for different samples, achieving multi-functionality without increasing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If reaction time is increased to improve sensitivity, then assay sensitivity improves, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the reaction time dynamic by configuring the wicking zone parameters (surface area, volume, depth) to match the specific assay requirements. For high-sensitivity assays requiring longer reaction times, the wicking zone can be designed with larger volume or smaller surface area to slow flow. For high-throughput applications, the parameters are adjusted to increase flow rate, thus optimizing the balance between sensitivity and productivity for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different regions of the device to have optimized characteristics. The wicking zone can be configured with specific surface area, volume, and depth parameters that are optimized for the desired reaction time, while other zones maintain standardized dimensions. This localized optimization enables tailored reaction times without compromising overall device functionality.
3Quantity of substance
If wicking zone volume is increased to accommodate higher sample volumes, then sample flow rate increases, but device dimensions must be enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by transitioning from a two-dimensional surface area increase to a three-dimensional volume optimization. Instead of enlarging the wicking zone surface area (which would increase device footprint), the patent configures the wicking zone depth and vertical structure to achieve the desired sample volume capacity and flow rate within the same lateral dimensions, thus increasing sample throughput without enlarging the overall device volume.
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 capillary vent stabilizes sample flow rates across different sample types, reducing assay variability and improving sensitivity by maintaining consistent reaction times, even with varying physical properties of samples.
Implementation Method 1
a configurable sinuous capillary vent that creates a backpressure against the incoming sample or specimen, thereby restricting the escape of air in the lateral flow assay device, which subsequently controls the sample or specimen flow rate
Implementation Method 2
The wicking zone, which provides the majority of the media that instills capillary flow of the received sample
Data Source
AI summary
A lateral flow diagnostic assay device is defined by a substrate having a top surface that further includes a sample addition zone for receiving a sample, a transport and reaction zone, and a wicking zone. Each of the sample addition zone, reaction and transport zone and wicking zone are disposed on the top surface of the substrate and fluidically interconnected by means that permit lateral capillary flow along at least one fluid flow path from the sample addition zone to the wicking zone. The assay device further includes a capillary vent disposed in relation to the wicking zone, the capillary vent having an overall length and cross sectional area that creates a backpressure so as to control the flow rate of a sample applied to the assay device.