Disposable Pipette Tip with Acoustic Channel for Analyte Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating and detecting analytes in biological samples are limited by the need for expensive and complex equipment, making them unsuitable for point-of-care formats.
Innovation Solution
A disposable pipette tip with an integrated vibratory device that creates standing acoustic waves within an acoustic channel, using biospecific negative acoustic contrast particles to separate and trap analytes of interest, allowing for efficient detection in a portable format.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional separation and detection methods are used, then detection accuracy is maintained, but equipment cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable pipette tips with integrated acoustic channels that contain piezoelectric vibrators. These single-use devices eliminate the need for expensive, complex reusable equipment while maintaining detection accuracy. The disposable nature ensures consistent performance without requiring maintenance or calibration of complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical separation systems with acoustic field-based separation using piezoelectric vibrators. Instead of mechanical pumps, valves, and complex fluid handling systems, the invention uses acoustic radiation pressure to manipulate particles, significantly simplifying the device architecture while maintaining functional equivalence.
2Productivity
If expensive equipment is used for analyte separation and detection, then separation efficiency is improved, but portability and ease of use deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex separation and detection system into modular disposable units. Each pipette tip is a self-contained module with integrated acoustic channels and vibrators, allowing high separation efficiency in a portable, easy-to-use format. Users simply attach the tip to a standard pipette and perform operations without handling complex equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable pipette tips are designed to be compatible with standard pipettes while providing advanced acoustic separation capabilities. The multi-functional design allows the same basic platform to handle various analyte separation tasks, improving ease of use through standardization while maintaining high productivity through acoustic manipulation capabilities.
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 rapid and efficient separation and detection of analytes in biological samples without the need for expensive equipment, facilitating point-of-care assays through the use of disposable pipette tips and piezoelectric vibrators.
Implementation Method 1
Particles exposed to an ultrasonic standing wave field will experience an average drift force positioning them at local pressure potential minima within an acoustic radiation pressure force potential
Implementation Method 2
particles within an acoustic channel can be separated from other components in a solution using acoustic force manipulation
Implementation Method 3
disposable pipette tips and piezoelectric vibrators
Data Source
AI summary
A kit for detection of an analyte of interest in a liquid sample, and methods of using, are provided. The kit may include a pipette and a disposable pipette tip configured to engage the pipette. The pipette tip may define an acoustic channel configured for allowing flow-through of a liquid. The kit may also include a vibratory device in communication with the acoustic channel and configured for imparting a vibratory force thereto. The impartation of the vibratory force may create standing acoustic waves, thereby separating any negative acoustic contrast particles (NACPs) from the remaining contents of the liquid sample. The NACPs may capable of biospecific recognition of the analyte of interest, thereby separating the analytes of interest, which can then be collected or analyzed accordingly.