Miniature Buchner Membrane Devices for Robotic Filtration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filtration and extraction devices face challenges in being easily integrated into robotic liquid handling systems, leading to high dead volumes, cross-contamination, and inefficient processing of low-particle size samples, particularly for DNA extraction and cell nuclei separation.
Innovation Solution
A novel membrane device with a Buchner funnel shape, featuring a ridge to support filtration membranes, allowing for easy integration with slip tip syringes or wide-bore pipette tips, and adaptable for robotic liquid handlers, minimizing dead volume and enabling efficient filtration and extraction of target compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If porous frits are used for low-particle size filtration, then filtration capability is improved, but dead volume increases and recovery losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a porous frit structure at the tip of the pipette to enable filtration of low-particle size samples. The porous material allows particles to be retained while permitting fluid flow, achieving effective filtration without the drawbacks of traditional membrane filters that require high pore sizes for aspiration/dispensing.
2Productivity
If filtration membranes are integrated into 96 well plates for automated processing, then throughput is improved, but device complexity and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pipette tip is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a sample delivery device and a filtration device. The integrated frit structure allows the same component to perform both liquid handling and particle separation, eliminating the need for separate filtration devices and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration frit is nested within the pipette tip structure, with the porous material positioned at the distal end of the tip. This nested configuration allows the filtration function to be incorporated without increasing the external dimensions or requiring separate housing, maintaining compatibility with standard pipette systems.
3Ease of operation
If high pore size membranes are used for aspiration and dispensing, then ease of operation is improved, but filtration capability for low particle sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different pore sizes to different locations within the filtration system. The main body of the pipette tip maintains larger pores for easy aspiration and dispensing, while the distal end features a porous frit with smaller pores specifically for particle retention. This localized differentiation of pore sizes allows both functions to operate effectively.
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 device facilitates low-volume elutions, reduces human interaction, and enhances processing speed and efficiency for both manual and automated methods, ensuring high throughput and minimal cross-contamination.
Implementation Method 1
the porous frit retained liquid
Implementation Method 2
filtration membranes are microporous barriers... used to separate dissolved materials (solutes), colloids, or fine particulate from solutions
Data Source
AI summary
A device for filtration or extraction using at least one filtration membrane is disclosed. The device is shaped like a Buchner funnel, but small enough to fit with wide bore pipette tips, slip tip syringes or an adaptor of a robotic liquid handler or pipettor. It also houses one or more filtration membranes and or a separation resin. A reservoir adaptor can be added to the top in a fluid tight manner to provide a removable large volume container where needed for larger samples, and a gasket adaptor allows the reservoir to be connected to other devices in a fluid tight manner.