CO2 Plasma Surface Modification for Biomolecule Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for targeted binding of desired moieties on surfaces often require chemical crosslinkers and organic washes that can damage the surface, necessitating an improvement in coupling techniques.

Innovation Solution

A method involving plasma treatment to form a modified substrate with a plasma-generated moiety, allowing for the attachment of biological polymers without the need for crosslinkers or organic solvents, using conditions suitable for various substrate types and entities such as proteins and lectins.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical crosslinkers and organic washes are used for targeted binding of moieties on surfaces, then attachment efficiency is improved, but surface damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment efficiencyVSAvoidsurface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the plasma treatment by using CO2 plasma instead of traditional oxygen plasma or chemical crosslinkers. This parameter change allows for effective surface modification and entity attachment while avoiding the harmful effects of chemical crosslinkers and organic solvents on the substrate surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces chemical crosslinking mechanisms with plasma-based physical-chemical modification. The CO2 plasma generates reactive species that directly modify the substrate surface and facilitate entity attachment without requiring additional chemical crosslinkers or organic washes, thereby eliminating surface damage from harsh chemicals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If CO2 plasma is used instead of oxygen plasma, then surface damage is avoided, but plasma treatment effectiveness must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface damageVSAvoidplasma treatment effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the gas composition parameter of the plasma from oxygen to CO2. This parameter change results in a plasma that is less damaging to the substrate surface while still maintaining effectiveness for generating plasma-generated moieties that enable entity attachment. The CO2 plasma achieves the desired surface modification without the harmful effects of oxygen plasma.

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

This method enables stable and efficient attachment of biological entities to substrates like membranes, maintaining their functionality and integrity, while avoiding surface damage from chemical agents.

Implementation Method 1

contacting the substrate with a plasma to form a modified substrate comprising a plasma-generated-moiety (a PGM)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma: Plasma

Data Source

PatentUS11919971B2Aqueous biomolecule coupling on CO2-plasma-activated surfaces

Publication Date: 2024.03.05 PRESIDENT & FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE

AI summary

This disclosure provides, e.g., methods for coupling Formation of Surface Carboxylates on PES an entity to a solid substrate. The method can comprise treating the with Exposure Time substrate with a plasma, e.g., a CO2 plasma, to increase its reactivity. The entity can be, e.g., a biological polymer that binds a microbe. Substrates produced by these methods can be used in a variety of applications, including hemodialysis and diagnostic assays.