Disposable Microchip Flow Path for High-Speed Microparticle Sorting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flow cytometers face challenges with cross-contamination of samples between measurements due to non-disposable flow cell and orifice components, and struggle with high-speed sorting of microparticles, limiting throughput.

Innovation Solution

A microparticle sorting apparatus using a microchip with a changing flow path and microtube, integrated with a suction flow path and paired electrodes, allows for high-speed analysis and sorting by changing the cross-sectional shape of the sample flow path and controlling microparticle movement based on detected characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If expensive quartz flow cell and orifice components are used in existing flow cytometers, then measurement precision and reliability are maintained, but device cost increases and cross-contamination risk arises due to non-disposable design

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the disposable principle by making the flow cell and orifice components as single-use disposable parts. This eliminates cross-contamination between samples while reducing device cost. The disposable design maintains measurement reliability through consistent manufacturing quality without requiring expensive reusable quartz components that need cleaning and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the flow cell and orifice components into a single integrated disposable unit. This combination simplifies the overall device structure, ensures proper alignment between components, and eliminates the need for separate expensive quartz parts while maintaining measurement precision through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If conventional flow cytometers are used for microparticle sorting, then basic sorting capability is provided, but throughput is limited due to insufficient liquid feeding pressure for high-frequency droplet discharge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesorting throughputVSAvoidliquid feeding pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies pneumatic principles by introducing a pressure-applying portion that uses gas pressure to drive liquid through the flow path. This pneumatic actuation enables high-frequency droplet discharge and high-speed microparticle sorting by providing sufficient liquid feeding pressure, thereby increasing sorting throughput while maintaining reliable droplet formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If flow cell and orifice components are cleaned between measurements, then cross-contamination is reduced, but time is lost during cleaning operations and measurement efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-contaminationVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for cleaning operations by using disposable flow cells and orifices that are discarded after a single use. This completely prevents cross-contamination between measurements while eliminating the time loss associated with cleaning, thereby maintaining high measurement efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 solution enables safe, high-speed, and cost-effective sorting of microparticles without cross-contamination, increasing throughput by integrating disposable components and enhancing liquid feeding pressure for high-frequency droplet discharge.

Implementation Method 1

a measurement light is radiated to the microparticles arranged in line and caused to flow through the flow cell, and a scattered light or a fluorescence generated from the microparticle is detected

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScattered light: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

a scattered light or a fluorescence generated from the microparticle is detected

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 3

a vibration element 2 for vibrating the microchip 1, thereby changing the liquid sample into droplets to be discharged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 4

a paired electrodes 4, 4 provided in the main body A1, and three collection sections, i.e., three containers 51, 52 and 53... the movement direction of the droplet discharged to the space in the outside of the flow cell is controlled

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical force: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS8657121B2Microparticle sorting apparatus, microchip and microchip module

Publication Date: 2014.02.25 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a microchip including a substrate and a sample flow path within the substrate. The sample flow path includes a changing flow path and a microtube connected to the changing flow path. The changing flow path is configured to change a cross sectional shape of the sample flow path from a quadrangular shape at a first end to a circular shape at a second end. The microtube is connected to the second end of the changing flow path and is disposed within the substrate.