Cell Sorting Collector With Pressure-Controlled Mixing Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell sorting technologies face inefficiencies and contamination risks due to complex processes required for secondary separation of target cells, which involve removing and re-injecting sample collection tubes, leading to lower sorting efficiency and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A collector with a housing containing a mixing chamber and a detachable collection vessel, connected through a communicating structure that allows for positive and negative pressure control, enabling direct flow and re-flow of target cell solutions between the microfluidic chip, loading chamber, and collection vessel for simplified secondary separation without removing the collection tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the sample collection tube is removed from the sample collection holder and re-injected into the microfluidic chip for secondary separation, then the purity of target cells is improved, but the complexity of the operation process increases and contamination risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sample collection holder and the microfluidic chip into a single integrated device. The collection tube is permanently positioned within the chip structure, eliminating the need for removal and re-injection operations. This merging of functions allows secondary separation to be performed directly within the integrated device, maintaining high purity while simplifying the operational process and reducing contamination risk.
2Manufacturing precision
If the sample collection tube is removed and re-injected for secondary separation, then the purity of target cells is improved, but the time required for cell sorting increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the collection tube and microfluidic chip into a single device, the patent eliminates the time-consuming steps of removing the tube, preparing external injection equipment, and performing manual re-injection. Secondary separation is performed directly within the integrated device, significantly reducing the total time required while maintaining high purity of target cells.
3Manufacturing precision
If the sample collection tube is removed and re-injected for secondary separation, then the purity of target cells is improved, but the risk of sample contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design of the collection tube and microfluidic chip creates a closed system that eliminates multiple manual handling steps. Since the collection tube remains permanently positioned within the chip, there are no opportunities for sample exposure to external environments during removal and re-injection operations, thereby minimizing contamination risk while achieving high purity through secondary separation.
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 solution simplifies the cell sorting process, improves efficiency by eliminating the need for additional apparatus, and reduces contamination risks by maintaining the sample within the collector during secondary separation, thereby enhancing the purity and yield of target cells.
Implementation Method 1
An inlet of the microfluidic chip, the loading chamber, and the collection vessel are selectively in communication with the mixing chamber through a communicating structure
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a collector, a cell sorting device, and a method for cell collection. The collector comprises: a housing which is internally provided with a mixing chamber and a loading chamber and which is provided with a filling hole in communication with the mixing chamber; a microfluidic chip arranged in the housing; and a collection vessel detachably connected to the housing. A target cell solution separated by the microfluidic chip can flow into the collection vessel. An inlet of the microfluidic chip, the loading chamber, and the collection vessel are selectively in communication with the mixing chamber through a communicating structure, respectively. After the microfluidic chip discharges the target cell solution separated for a first time into the collection vessel, the collection vessel is in communication with the mixing chamber through the communicating structure, and a negative pressure is inputted into the mixing chamber through the filling hole, such that the target cell solution in the collection vessel is sucked into the mixing chamber. Afterwards, the microfluidic chip is in communication with the mixing chamber through the communicating structure, and a positive pressure is inputted into the mixing chamber through the filling hole, such that the target cell solution in the mixing chamber is pressurized into the microfluidic chip. In this way, secondary separation is achieved through the microfluidic chip.