Capillary Electrophoresis Interface Arrival Time Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current analytical methods for hemoglobin typing in capillary electrophoresis face inaccuracies due to lot-to-lot and individual differences in disposable analysis chips, leading to errors in identifying specific components like hemoglobin variants, especially when reference substances overlap or interact with other components, making accurate analysis challenging and costly.
Innovation Solution
An analytical method and system that measures optically the interface arrival time point in a micro flow path during capillary electrophoresis, using absorbance changes to determine the interface arrival time and identify components by forming differential waveforms, allowing for accurate component identification without the need for additional reference substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a disposable analysis chip is used for capillary electrophoresis, then the ease of operation and cost are improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to lot-to-lot and individual differences in chips
Solution Approach 1:
The analysis chip performs self-identification by automatically detecting the interface arrival time and using it as a reference for component identification, eliminating the need for external reference substances or manual calibration procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the reference time parameter from a fixed time point (voltage application start) to a dynamically determined interface arrival time, which adapts to each chip's actual performance characteristics, thereby compensating for chip variability
2Measurement precision
If reference substances are added to identify components, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and utilizes the interface arrival time signal inherently present in the electrophoresis process, removing the need for separate reference substances while maintaining identification accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The interface between sample solution and migration liquid serves as a natural intermediary marker, replacing artificial reference substances and providing a reliable time reference for component identification
3Measurement precision
If reference substances are added to identify components, then the measurement precision is improved, but the loss of substance increases due to costly reference materials
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the sample solution itself and the interface it creates as the reference, eliminating consumption of separate reference substances while maintaining identification capability
4Ease of operation
If the voltage application start time is used as the reference time point, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to errors in elapsed time calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The interface arrival time is detected and recorded before component identification begins, establishing an accurate reference point that accounts for actual chip performance before the identification process starts
Solution Approach 2:
The reference time parameter is changed from a fixed operational point (voltage start) to a physically significant event (interface arrival), which varies with each chip but provides accurate timing for that specific chip
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 approach enables more accurate and reproducible analysis of hemoglobin types by objectively determining the interface arrival time, reducing errors associated with chip variability and eliminating the need for costly reference substances, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of hemoglobin typing.
Implementation Method 1
analyzing a sample by a capillary electrophoresis technique in which a voltage is applied to a sample solution introduced to a micro flow path, a separation analysis is performed for a component contained in the sample solution
Implementation Method 2
an optically measured value corresponding to an elapsed time after starting a measurement is measured
Data Source
AI summary
An analytical method and an analytical system capable of more accurate analysis, in which a sample is analyzed by a capillary electrophoresis technique in which a voltage is applied to a sample solution introduced to a micro flow path, a separation analysis is performed for a component contained in the sample solution, and an optically measured value corresponding to an elapsed time after starting a measurement is measured. The analytical method comprises: a process of determining an interface arrival time point, based on the optically measured value when an interface between the sample solution and a migration liquid reaches a predetermined measurement position in the micro flow path; and a process of identifying the component contained in the sample solution using the optically measured value at the elapsed time after the interface arrival time point.