Analytical Tool Thickness-Direction Filtration Capillary Flow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analytical tools face challenges in efficiently removing solid components from sample liquids without increasing measurement time, particularly in microdevices with small flow paths, where capillary action is hindered by high viscosity and long filtration lengths, and the use of pumps increases costs.
Innovation Solution
An analytical tool design that moves sample liquids through a separation film in the thickness direction for filtration, reducing retention time and resistance, allowing for capillary action without the need for a pump, featuring a substrate with flow paths and a separation film that can be hydrophilically treated for efficient sample liquid movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sample liquid moves in the plane direction of the filter for removal of solid components, then a large filtration length can be attained and efficient removal of solid components is expected, but the removal of solid components takes long time and the measurement time becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the filtration direction from the plane direction (parallel to the filter surface) to the thickness direction (perpendicular to the filter surface). This dimensional change allows the sample liquid to pass through the filter membrane more directly and quickly, reducing retention time while maintaining filtration effectiveness. The filter membrane is positioned to receive sample liquid from above and discharge it below, utilizing the thickness direction for rapid passage.
2Ease of operation
If the sample liquid has a high viscosity, then the movement of sample liquid through the small flow path by capillary action becomes difficult, but the use of a pump increases the cost for the apparatus and the cost required for a single time of measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by hydrophilically treating specific portions of the flow path, particularly the separation film and adjacent flow path regions. This localized hydrophilic treatment creates areas of high wettability that generate capillary forces sufficient to draw high-viscosity sample liquids through the filtration system without requiring a pump. The treatment is applied selectively rather than uniformly throughout the entire device.
3Reliability
If the retention time of the sample liquid in the filter is long, then efficient removal of solid components is achieved, but the measurement time becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements the skipping principle by designing a flow path configuration that enables the sample liquid to rapidly pass through the filter membrane in the thickness direction. The direct perpendicular passage minimizes the time the liquid is retained in the filtration zone, allowing solid component removal to occur quickly without prolonged exposure. The filter is positioned and oriented to enable fast throughput rather than slow, extended filtration.
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 design shortens the time for solid component removal and measurement, reduces costs by eliminating the need for pumps, and enables the creation of cost-effective microdevices capable of handling high-viscosity samples through capillary action.
Implementation Method 1
a separation film for filtering the sample liquid supplied to the liquid introduction port and then introducing the sample liquid to the one or a plurality of flow paths
Implementation Method 2
The inner surfaces of the flow paths are hydrophilically treated. The sample liquid is caused to move through the separation film in the thickness direction of the separation film for filtration
Data Source
AI summary
An analyzing tool (Y) has a liquid-introducing opening (61), one or more flow passages (51) through which a sample liquid introduced from the liquid-introducing opening (61) is moved, and a separation film (8) for filtrating the sample liquid supplied to the liquid-introducing opening (61) and then introducing the liquid filtrated to the one or more flow passages (51). The analyzing tool (Y) is structured such that a liquid sample is filtrated by being advanced in the thickness direction of the separation film (8). The flow passage (51) is structured such that the sample liquid is moved by, for example, a capillary phenomenon.