Acoustic Contrast Capture Particles for Biological Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating particles in biological samples using acoustic radiation pressure are limited, as most biological particles have similar mechanical properties to water, making binary separation in aqueous solutions impractical without altering the medium's properties.
Innovation Solution
The use of engineered acoustic contrast capture particles with predetermined density and compressibility ratios, either positive or negative relative to the medium, which are functionalized to bind targets and driven by acoustic fields to specific force potential minima within a capillary flow path, allowing for the separation of particles based on acoustic contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic radiation pressure is used to separate particles in aqueous solutions, then particles with different mechanical properties can be separated, but most biological particles have similar acoustic contrast to water making binary separation impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces functionalized capture particles as intermediaries that bind to target biological particles. These capture particles have engineered acoustic contrast properties that differ from water, enabling indirect separation of biological particles that would otherwise have similar acoustic properties to the medium. The capture particles act as mediators between the acoustic field and the target particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the acoustic contrast parameters of capture particles through engineering their density and compressibility ratios to be either positive or negative relative to the medium. This parameter change enables the capture particles to respond differently to acoustic radiation pressure than most biological particles, facilitating separation based on acoustic contrast.
2Productivity
If engineered capture particles with predetermined acoustic contrast are used, then effective separation of particles can be achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The functionalized capture particles serve as intermediaries that simplify the separation process by providing a clear acoustic contrast difference. Instead of attempting to directly separate biological particles with similar properties, the system uses these intermediary particles that naturally or through functionalization exhibit distinct acoustic properties, making the separation mechanism more straightforward despite adding a component layer.
Solution Approach 2:
By engineering the capture particles with predetermined acoustic contrast parameters (positive or negative relative to medium), the system creates a clear distinction that simplifies the separation logic. The binary nature of positive/negative acoustic contrast provides a straightforward separation criterion that enhances productivity despite the added complexity of particle engineering.
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
Enables effective separation of particles by shifting their acoustic contrast, allowing for the isolation of bioparticles from other components in a sample, enhancing the capability to analyze and separate biological samples using acoustic fields.
Implementation Method 1
Ultrasonic radiation pressure has been demonstrated as a viable means to manipulate and locally trap particles in microfluidic environments. Within an applied ultrasonic standing wave, particles experience a drift force resulting from acoustic radiation pressure that transports the particles to a position within the applied standing wave that corresponds to minima in the acoustic radiation pressure force potential.
Implementation Method 2
Particles in an ultrasonic standing wave field that are more dense and less compressible than the background medium are transported to a different spatial location than particles that are less dense and more compressible than the background medium, producing a true binary separator based upon mechanical properties.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for separating particles from a medium includes a capillary defining a flow path therein that is in fluid communication with a medium source. The medium source includes engineered acoustic contrast capture particle having a predetermined acoustic contrast. The apparatus includes a vibration generator that is operable to produce at least one acoustic field within the flow path. The acoustic field produces a force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles and a force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles in the flow path and drives the engineered acoustic contrast capture particles to either the force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles or the force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles.