Capillary Electrophoresis Interface Control by Preliminary Pressurization

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Solution Overview

Problem

The formation of an interface between the sample and electrophoresis liquid is often incomplete in capillary electrophoresis, leading to deteriorated analysis accuracy due to mixing and separation issues.

Innovation Solution

A method involving pressurization of the electrophoresis liquid in the capillary flow path followed by a waiting period to form a stable interface before applying a voltage for separation, ensuring accurate analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the capillary tube is filled with electrophoresis liquid and sample is introduced into the feed tank, then the sample can be made to flow inside the feed tank to generate shear flow, but the interface between sample and electrophoresis liquid may not be formed well and analysis accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample introduction processVSAvoidanalysis accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The electrophoresis liquid is pressurized into the capillary flow path before sample introduction to pre-establish the liquid interface. This preliminary action ensures that when the sample is subsequently introduced into the feed tank, a clear and stable interface is already in place, preventing mixing and maintaining high analysis accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Pressure control is used to regulate the electrophoresis liquid flow into the capillary flow path. By applying pressure to the electrophoresis liquid reservoir, the system precisely controls the liquid interface formation between the electrophoresis liquid and sample, ensuring a sharp boundary that improves analysis accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If sample is introduced into feed tank connected to capillary tube, then sample can be analyzed by electrophoresis, but part of sample may move into capillary tube and interface formation is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis throughputVSAvoidinterface formation quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary pressurization of electrophoresis liquid into the capillary flow path before sample introduction. This pre-establishes a controlled liquid interface that prevents sample from improperly entering the capillary tube, ensuring high interface formation quality while maintaining efficient analysis throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pressure parameter of the electrophoresis liquid to control interface formation. By adjusting pressure, the system optimizes both the sharpness of the liquid interface and the efficiency of sample analysis, resolving the contradiction between throughput and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances analysis accuracy by forming a clear interface between the electrophoresis liquid and sample, allowing precise separation and detection of components.

Implementation Method 1

a pressurization process of pressurizing the first liquid into the capillary flow path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressurization: Pressurisation

Implementation Method 2

a separation process of applying a voltage between the sample reservoir storing the second liquid and the capillary flow path filled with the first liquid, so that components in the sample contained in the second liquid move in the capillary flow path and the components are separated in the capillary flow path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Data Source

PatentEP3594673B1Analysis method and analysis system
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 ARKRAY INC
  • EP3594673B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3594673B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP3594673B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An analysis method using a microchip 100 which is provided with a capillary flow path 2, and a sample reservoir 1 connected to the capillary flow path 2, in which the capillary flow path 2 is filled with a first liquid for electrophoresis, and a second liquid containing a sample is stored in the sample reservoir, and including a pressurization process in which the first liquid is pressurized into the capillary flow path 2 from a side of the capillary flow path that is opposite from the side connected to the sample reservoir, and a separation process in which a voltage is applied between the sample reservoir 1 storing the second liquid and the capillary flow path 2 filled with the first liquid, such that components in the sample contained in the second liquid move in the capillary flow path and the components are separated in the capillary flow path.