Cell Recovery Device with Controlled Absorption Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell recovery methods suffer from significant cell loss and morphological changes during the sedimentation and retention process, which are detrimental for subsequent analysis, especially when dealing with rare cells like circulating tumor cells.
Innovation Solution
A cell recovery device with a fluid chamber and a porous absorbing element that allows controlled fluid removal post-centrifugation, minimizing shear stress and maintaining cell adherence by optimizing the distance and porosity of the absorbing element from the solid support, ensuring minimal cell detachment and preserving cell morphology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cells are sedimented onto a solid support using conventional methods, then cells are retained on the surface for analysis, but significant cell loss occurs and cell morphology is altered
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the sedimentation chamber from the absorption medium, creating distinct functional zones. Cells sediment in the chamber while the absorption medium is positioned at a controlled distance to absorb excess fluid without directly contacting the sedimented cells, preventing cell loss and morphological damage.
Solution Approach 2:
A controlled distance gap acts as an intermediary between the sedimented cells and the absorption medium. This gap allows capillary forces to remove excess fluid through the porous absorption medium without the medium directly contacting and potentially damaging the cells on the support surface.
2Productivity
If an absorbent medium is placed in direct contact with the solid support to remove fluid, then fluid removal is efficient, but cells are lost due to turbulence and shear stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful direct contact between the absorption medium and sedimented cells is eliminated by positioning the absorption medium at a controlled distance from the solid support. This extracts the harmful interaction while preserving the useful fluid removal function through capillary action in the porous medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The controlled distance gap serves as an intermediary that enables fluid removal through the porous absorption medium via capillary forces without the medium physically contacting the cells. This mediates between the need for efficient fluid removal and the need to protect cells from shear stresses.
3Speed
If centrifugal force is applied to accelerate cell sedimentation, then cell deposition speed increases, but cell morphology is altered and cell loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies centrifugal force to accelerate sedimentation but limits the excessive effects by using a controlled absorption step afterward. The centrifugal force is applied sufficiently to speed up sedimentation but not excessively to cause damage, and the subsequent controlled fluid removal prevents further cell loss from turbulence.
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
The device achieves high cell retention rates with minimal cell loss and maintains the morphology of target cells, enabling reliable analysis and enrichment of rare cells.
Implementation Method 1
a porous absorbing element that allows controlled fluid removal post-centrifugation
Implementation Method 2
cytocentrifugation which accelerates cell sedimentation towards a desired collection point
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method of cell sedimentation and retention of target cells, for example circulating tumour cells, CTC, from a fluid sample onto a solid support. The method comprises placing a fluid medium comprising the target cells in a fluid chamber, the fluid chamber having an open end sealed against a surface of the solid support. The method further comprises subjecting the fluid medium to centrifugation within the fluid chamber to induce sedimentation of the target cells and promote cell adhesion to the surface of the solid support. The method further comprises, post-centrifugation, positioning a fluid absorbing element in the fluid chamber to remove fluid from the fluid chamber. The method further comprises controlling a flow rate of the fluid being absorbed by the fluid absorbing element such that the sedimented cells are not detached from the surface of the solid support.