Alternating Vacuum Oscillation Isolation Chip for Exosome Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for isolating and purifying exosomes from bioliquids, such as urine, saliva, and cerebrospinal fluid, face challenges with filtration membrane clogging, which decreases efficiency and purity, limiting their effectiveness in liquid biopsy diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
An isolation chip assembly with alternating negative pressure and oscillation waves is used to prevent clogging by alternately applying vacuum pressure through two filtration membranes and employing oscillators to vibrate the membranes, ensuring efficient separation and purification of exosomes without accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If filtration membrane is used for exosome isolation, then exosome separation is achieved, but filtration membrane clogging occurs which decreases isolation efficiency and purity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic oscillation to the filtration membrane through an oscillator, transforming the static filtration process into a dynamic one. The oscillation prevents exosomes from adhering to and clogging the membrane surface, maintaining continuous high-efficiency filtration while preserving separation purity. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptive and self-cleaning during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillator generates periodic vibrations at specific frequencies that create oscillating flow patterns through the filtration membrane. This periodic action prevents the accumulation and adhesion of exosomes on the membrane surface, thereby preventing clogging while maintaining effective separation. The periodic disturbance keeps the filtration process efficient throughout operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If filtration membrane is used for exosome isolation, then exosome separation is achieved, but clogging occurs during filtration
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing dynamic oscillation to the filtration membrane, the system transforms from a static prone-to-clogging process to a dynamic self-cleaning process. The oscillation continuously prevents exosome adhesion, ensuring reliable continuous operation without interruption from clogging events.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillator applies mechanical vibrations to the filtration membrane, creating oscillating flow fields that prevent exosomes from settling and adhering to the membrane surface. This mechanical vibration approach reliably prevents clogging while maintaining the membrane's separation function throughout the filtration process.
3Productivity
If oscillation waves are applied to prevent clogging, then isolation efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into functional modules: the isolation chip with filtration membrane, the oscillator unit, and the exosome collector. This modular segmentation allows the oscillation function to be added as a distinct component, making the system easier to manufacture, assemble, and maintain while achieving high isolation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The oscillator serves multiple functions: it prevents clogging, maintains filtration efficiency, and can be adjusted for different exosome sizes and sample types. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved isolation efficiency.
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 increases exosome isolation efficiency and purity, reduces clogging, and allows for high-yield, high-purity exosome recovery from various bioliquids, including urine, plasma, and saliva, with improved stability and repeatability across different sample volumes and types.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum system configured to generate the negative pressure
Implementation Method 2
first filtration membrane and a second filtration membrane
Implementation Method 3
first oscillator mounted on the first filtration membrane and configured to generate a first oscillation wave; and a second oscillator mounted on the second filtration membrane and configured to generate a second oscillation wave
Data Source
AI summary
An isolation device includes an isolation chip assembly, a vacuum system, a frequency converting module, and a controller. The isolation chip assembly includes an isolation chip having a first chamber and a second chamber, a first oscillator mounted on the first chamber, and a second oscillator mounted on the second chamber. The frequency converting module causes the vacuum system to generate negative pressure in the first and the second chambers alternately. The controller controls the first and the second oscillators to operate when the vacuum system stops generating the negative pressure in the first chamber and in the second chamber. The first and the second oscillators respectively generate a first and a second oscillation wave when operating, a frequency of the first oscillation wave is greater than a frequency of the oscillation wave, an amplitude of the first oscillation wave is less than an amplitude of the second oscillation wave.