Cell Isolation via Functionalized Micro-Particle Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating cells, bio-particles, and molecules from fluids, such as blood, are inefficient and costly, particularly for therapeutic applications, as they require highly diluted media, long separation times, and often fail to allow continuous operation, and existing systems cannot separate cells and subcellular particles directly from fluids.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing functionalized micro-particles with specific ligands immobilized on biocompatible surfaces, allowing for the separation of cells and molecules through filtration based on particle size, using membranes with varying pore sizes to retain micro-particles while allowing fluid and smaller components to pass, enabling continuous operation and efficient cell isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional cell isolation methods are used, then cells can be separated from fluids, but the process requires highly diluted media and long separation times, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the separation function into a distinct filter component with specific pore sizes, allowing cells to be physically separated from diluted media without requiring prolonged incubation times. The filter acts as a standalone separation element that accelerates the isolation process while maintaining specificity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs filters with specifically designed pore sizes that allow differentiated passage of cells versus media components. This porous structure enables rapid physical separation based on size differentiation, significantly improving separation speed while preserving isolation precision.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional filtration systems are used, then particles can be separated, but the systems cannot separate cells and subcellular particles directly from fluids, limiting adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal filtration system with multiple filter stages, each having different pore sizes, that can handle various particle types including cells, subcellular particles, and molecules from the same fluid source. This multi-functional approach enables direct separation of different particle classes without requiring separate specialized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation system is segmented into multiple filter stages with progressively different pore sizes, allowing sequential separation of particles by size. This segmentation enables the system to directly separate cells from subcellular particles and molecules from the same fluid in a single integrated process, enhancing both capability and versatility.
3Quantity of substance
If plasma exchange therapy is used, then immune-regulating substances can be removed from blood, but the procedure has significant costs and risks for infection
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs disposable filter components that are discarded after single use, eliminating the need for complex sterilization procedures and reducing infection risks associated with reusable medical equipment. The disposable nature of the filters provides a cost-effective alternative to expensive plasma exchange procedures while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes specific immune-regulating substances from blood through selective filtration, providing a targeted therapeutic approach that avoids the broad immunosuppression and high costs of plasma exchange. This extraction method reduces infection risk by not requiring complete blood replacement or complex processing procedures.
4Measurement precision
If magnetic separation methods are used, then specific cells can be isolated, but the media must be highly diluted and separation time is extended, reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the time-consuming magnetic separation process with a simple mechanical filtration approach. By using filters with appropriate pore sizes, cells can be separated from diluted media through straightforward physical filtration rather than requiring prolonged magnetic field application and multiple washing steps, significantly reducing separation time while maintaining specificity.
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 enables efficient and economic isolation of cells and molecules from fluids, allowing for continuous operation and specific targeting of cells and bio-particles, reducing costs and improving therapeutic applications in medicine and biotechnology.
Implementation Method 1
separated by filtration of the blood particle mixture by means of a specific chamber with a cell screen (40 μm)
Implementation Method 2
a hollow-fiber-membrane, wherein the membrane has a pore size that allows passage of the cell-mixture without functionalised particles only
Data Source
AI summary
The invention describes an appliance and a method, with the help of which specific bio-particles, but also dissolved bio-molecules can be recognized in and separated from fluids making use of suitable carriers and known immobilization methods. The appliance can be used both discontinuously and also for direct and continuous treatment of fluids. Fields of application of the invention are animals, bio-technology (including biological research) and medicinal diagnostics. Areas of application of the invention comprise, among others, therapy of humans, in particular direct treatment of blood.