Covalent Magnetic Particle Binding for Biomolecule Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current magnetic particles used for separation and analysis occupy significant space within porous particles, reducing their loading capacity and requiring complex and time-consuming manufacturing and usage processes.

Innovation Solution

A method of producing particles by binding magnetic particles covalently to the surface of non-magnetic porous particles, ensuring that the magnetic particles are larger than the pores, allowing them to contribute to the binding capacity without blocking the pores, and forming stable covalent bonds for enhanced separation and analysis capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If magnetic particles are embedded in porous particles for separation applications, then magnetic separation capability is improved, but the loading capacity and binding capacity are reduced due to space occupation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic separation capabilityVSAvoidloading capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the magnetic particle into two functional segments: a magnetic core (Fe3O4) for magnetic separation and a porous polymer shell for binding capacity. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between magnetic separation capability and loading capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite particle structure combining magnetic Fe3O4 core material with a porous polymer shell material. This composite structure integrates the magnetic properties of the core with the high surface area and binding capacity of the porous shell, simultaneously achieving both magnetic separability and high loading capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If magnetic particles are made small to increase surface area, then binding capacity is improved, but pore blocking occurs reducing flow velocity handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding capacityVSAvoidflow velocity handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a porous polymer shell with controlled porosity and pore size. The porous structure provides high surface area for binding while maintaining sufficient pore openings to allow fluid flow and prevent blocking, even when magnetic particles are made small to increase binding capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Reliability

If magnetic material occupies significant space in particles, then magnetic separation efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic separation efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces complex mechanical assembly processes with a chemical synthesis approach. The magnetic Fe3O4 core and porous polymer shell are formed together in a single synthesis process through in-situ polymerization, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining high magnetic separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Quantity of substance

If particles are designed for high binding capacity, then separation efficiency is improved, but ease of manufacture is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding capacityVSAvoidease of manufacture
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs self-assembly and in-situ polymerization where the porous polymer shell forms around the magnetic core automatically during synthesis. The functional groups on the shell surface are inherently available for binding without requiring additional complex modification steps, allowing high binding capacity to be achieved through a simple one-step synthesis process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 resulting particles have increased binding capacity, are easy to manufacture and use, and can withstand high flow velocities and magnetic separation in flowing media, maintaining their integrity and separation efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

reacting functional groups on the surface of the non-magnetic porous particle (Pp), with functional groups on the surface of the magnetic particles (Mp) to form a covalent bond

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCovalent bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The adsorptive particles may e.g., of carbon, Al 2 O 3 , silica gel, activated Mg silicate, clays, etc. The magnetic particles may e.g., of magnetite, gamma-Fe 2 O 3 , ferrites, etc. The porous matrix may e.g. PVC, polyacrylamide (optionally crosslinked with epichlorhydrin) phenolic resins, nylon-6, 6 crosslinked with HCHO, etc.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3311915B1Manufacture of magnetic particles
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 LAB ON A BEAD AB
  • EP3311915B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3311915B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3311915B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method for the production of particles by reacting functional groups on the surface of non-magnetic porous particles with functional groups on the surface of magnetic particles to form a covalent bond, to obtain particles supplemented with magnetic particles covalently bound to the outer part of said particles. Advantages include an increased binding capacity facilitating the use to separate biomolecules such as IgG.