Buoyant Separation of Target-Bound Complexes Using Density Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional particle isolation systems in biological sample processing are inefficient, labor-intensive, prone to user error, and costly, limiting their ability to isolate target components such as cells or proteins in a high-throughput manner.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for buoyant separation of particles in biological fluids using substrates with specific densities, where target-bound complexes are formed and separated based on density differences, utilizing passive or active forces like gravity or centrifugation, and enhanced with magnetic manipulation for efficient extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional particle isolation systems are used, then separation of target components can be achieved, but the process is inefficient and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation through automated buoyant separation where particles automatically separate based on density differences in the fluid, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing labor intensity while maintaining high throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical separation systems with a buoyant separation system that uses fluid density differences and buoyancy forces to achieve particle isolation, eliminating complex mechanical operations and reducing labor requirements
2Productivity
If conventional particle isolation systems are used, then separation can be performed, but the systems are expensive to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The buoyant separation system operates passively by utilizing natural buoyancy forces and density differences, eliminating the need for expensive energy-consuming mechanical actuators and reducing operating costs while maintaining high isolation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential separation function from expensive conventional systems and implements it through a simple buoyant separation mechanism using fluid density differences, removing unnecessary complex and costly components
3Productivity
If conventional particle isolation systems are used, then target components can be isolated, but the systems require large equipment and significant training
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the core separation functionality from large conventional systems and implements it through a compact buoyant separation装置 that uses simple fluid-based separation, eliminating the need for large equipment while maintaining high throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the separation parameter from mechanical force to buoyancy based on density differences, enabling compact system design that requires minimal space and training while achieving high isolation throughput
4Reliability
If conventional particle isolation systems are used, then separation can be achieved, but the analyses are untrustworthy
Solution Approach 1:
The automated buoyant separation system performs separation based on inherent physical properties without manual intervention, eliminating user error and improving the reliability and trustworthiness of the analysis results
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical separation operations with automated buoyant separation based on density differences, removing human error from the process and enhancing analysis reliability
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 efficient separation and extraction of target components from large sample volumes with reduced effort, facilitating downstream analyses and improving the throughput and reliability of biological sample processing.
Implementation Method 1
physically separating the population of target-bound complexes from the sample based upon interaction between the volume of substrates and an applied force
Implementation Method 2
utilizing passive or active forces like gravity or centrifugation
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for buoyant separation of a target constituent of a sample, the method comprising: at a process chamber, combining a volume of substrates having a first density with the sample, thereby producing a population of target-bound complexes comprising the target constituent bound to at least a portion of the volume of substrates; within the process chamber, physically separating the population of target-bound complexes from the sample based upon interaction between the volume of substrates and an applied force; aggregating the population of target-bound complexes at a collection region of the process chamber; extracting the population of target-bound complexes from the process chamber; and processing the target constituent from the population of target-bound complexes for further analysis.