Density-Based Collector for Isolating Rare Target Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing suspensions, such as blood samples, are inefficient in detecting and isolating rare materials like circulating tumor cells due to their low concentrations, making it difficult to diagnose and treat cancer effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a collector and processing vessel that uses density-based separation and displacement fluids to isolate target materials from suspensions, allowing for efficient retrieval and analysis of rare components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional blood film analysis is used to detect circulating tumor cells, then the analysis method is simple and inexpensive, but the detection accuracy is extremely low due to the rarity of target cells among billions of blood cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the blood sample analysis process into multiple density-based separation steps. The suspension is divided into different density layers, allowing rare target cells to be isolated from the overwhelming background of normal blood cells through sequential density gradient centrifugation and displacement fluid techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces displacement fluids as intermediary substances with specific densities between the target cells and the background suspension. These displacement fluids act as mediators that selectively push or float target cells into collection vessels, enabling precise isolation without requiring complex direct detection methods.
2Productivity
If manual examination of blood samples is performed, then the equipment requirement is low, but the time consumption and labor cost are extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs density-based separation processes that automatically isolate target cells based on their inherent density differences from the background suspension. The system uses displacement fluids that self-organize to push target cells into collection vessels without requiring manual manipulation, significantly reducing labor time and increasing throughput.
3Measurement precision
If density-based separation with displacement fluid is used to isolate rare target cells, then the detection accuracy and isolation efficiency are greatly improved, but the device complexity and process steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes changes in density parameters as the core mechanism for separation. By carefully selecting displacement fluids with specific density values that fall between the target cells and background materials, the system achieves precise isolation through controlled density gradient formation during centrifugation, simplifying the overall separation logic despite multiple steps.
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 accurate detection and isolation of rare materials from suspensions, improving diagnostic capabilities and reducing the time and cost associated with analyzing blood samples.
Implementation Method 1
uses density-based separation and displacement fluids to isolate target materials from suspensions
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a processing vessel, such as an Eppendorf tube, a syringe or a test tube, and a collector. The collector is sized and shaped to fit into a primary vessel, such as a test tube. The collector funnels the target material from the suspension through a cannula and into the processing vessel. The cannula extends into a cavity at a first end of the collector that holds the processing vessel. The collector includes a funnel at a second end in fluid communication with the cannula. In one implementation, the processing vessel includes at least one displacement fluid to be expelled, such that the at least one displacement fluid pushes the target material into the collector.