Capillary Cell Sorting Apparatus for Simultaneous Isolation and Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating and treating single particulate targets like cells require labor-intensive, multi-step processes involving separate steps for selection and treatment, which are inefficient and unsuitable for adherent cells, especially cultured cells.
Innovation Solution
A capillary cell sorting apparatus that concurrently isolates and treats particulate targets by drawing them into a capillary filled with a treatment liquid, allowing treatment to occur within the capillary rather than transferring the target to a separate vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate steps are used for selecting and treating target cells, then isolation precision is improved, but device complexity and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cell selection function and cell treatment function into a single integrated device. The selection chamber and treatment chamber are connected through a common aperture, allowing cells to be selected and treated without transfer to separate vessels. This eliminates the need for multiple discrete devices while maintaining isolation precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment chamber is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the isolation environment and the treatment environment. The same chamber that selects individual cells through optical trapping also delivers treatment liquids and performs lysis, eliminating the need for separate treatment vessels and reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If separate steps are used for selecting and treating target cells, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment liquid is pre-loaded into the treatment chamber before cell selection begins. When a target cell is captured in the selection chamber, the treatment liquid is already in position to be delivered immediately through the aperture. This eliminates the time required to transfer cells between vessels and prepares the treatment environment in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining selection and treatment in one integrated system with direct fluid communication between chambers, the patent eliminates transfer time and allows immediate treatment of selected cells. The continuous presence of treatment liquid in the treatment chamber enables instantaneous delivery to captured cells.
3Quantity of substance
If filters are used to enrich cells by size, then cell concentration is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical filtration based on size with optical trapping based on optical properties. The optical trap selectively captures individual target cells regardless of their size, allowing precise selection of cell types based on their optical characteristics rather than physical dimensions. This eliminates the mixing of different cell types that occurs with size-based 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 method streamlines the handling of single cells by enabling simultaneous isolation and treatment, reducing labor and material usage, and is effective for both adherent and non-adherent cells, including circulating tumor cells.
Implementation Method 1
a) capturing a particulate target with an optical trap in a position in proximity to a tip orifice of the capillary
Implementation Method 2
c) discharging a volume of treatment liquid from the capillary such that the particulate target is enclosed in the treatment liquid
Implementation Method 3
d) drawing the particulate target enclosed in the treatment liquid into the capillary
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method of isolating and treating a particulate target using an apparatus comprising at least a capillary comprising a tip orifice and an internal cavity, said internal cavity comprising a treatment liquid, a positioning element capable of positioning the tip orifice of the capillary, a discharging/drawing element capable of causing a discharge of treatment liquid from the capillary as well as causing a drawing of treatment liquid into the capillary, said method comprising the steps of: a. locating the particulate target to be isolated and treated, b. positioning the tip orifice of the capillary such that the tip orifice of the capillary comes in proximity to the particulate target, using the positioning element, c. discharging a volume of treatment liquid such as to enclose the particulate target in the treatment liquid, d. drawing the particulate target enclosed in the treatment liquid into the internal cavity of the capillary, e. treating the particulate target within the internal cavity of the capillary comprising the treatment liquid.