Isoelectric Focusing Device Using Electrode-Based pH Gradient Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current isoelectric focusing technologies suffer from suboptimal fractionation due to limited pH range and contamination from chemicals used to establish pH gradients, which interferes with downstream analysis.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a chamber with a bipolar membrane and ion sources to generate a pH gradient, allowing for precise separation and detection of analytes based on their isoelectric point, using proton or hydroxide injectors to create controlled pH steps and electrophoresis for purification and detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical ampholytes are used to establish pH gradients for isoelectric focusing, then pH gradient establishment is achieved, but sample contamination occurs and downstream analysis is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful chemical ampholytes from the system by replacing them with an electrode-based pH control system. The pH gradient is now established through controlled ion generation at electrodes rather than through chemical diffusion, eliminating contamination while maintaining the necessary pH gradient for isoelectric focusing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical mechanism (ampholyte diffusion) with an electrical mechanism (electrode-controlled ion generation). By using electrodes to generate H+ and OH- ions directly at the desired locations, the system achieves pH gradient establishment without introducing chemical contaminants into the sample
2Device complexity
If fixed or limited pH range is used for sample separation, then separation process is simplified, but fractionation quality becomes non-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic pH control through independently controllable electrodes that can adjust the pH range and gradient profile based on the specific requirements of different samples. This dynamic adjustment capability allows optimization of fractionation quality for various analytes without requiring complex pre-programming or fixed configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables changeable pH parameters (range, gradient steepness, target pH values) through electrical control of electrode potentials. By adjusting the voltage applied to different electrodes, the system can optimize the pH gradient parameters for different separation needs, improving fractionation quality while maintaining operational simplicity
3Reliability
If chemical ampholytes are used to establish pH gradients, then pH gradient formation is achieved, but interference with downstream analysis occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes chemical ampholytes from the system and replaces them with an electrical pH control mechanism. This extraction eliminates the source of contamination that would otherwise interfere with downstream analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry or NMR, while still achieving the necessary pH gradient formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrodes as intermediaries between the power supply and the sample solution. These electrodes generate H+ and OH- ions through electrolysis of water, serving as a clean intermediary mechanism that establishes pH gradients without introducing contaminating chemicals into the sample
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
Enables efficient separation and purification of target molecules without chemical contamination, improving fractionation and reducing interference in downstream analysis by using controlled pH gradients and electrophoresis.
Implementation Method 1
a one or more ion sources separated by a bipolar membrane from said chamber, for establishing a pH gradient along said axis in said chamber by injecting ion flows
Implementation Method 2
an electrical source for applying an electric field along the axis in the chamber; a controller which operates said one or more ion sources to adjust the pH gradient so as to induce migration of the molecular analytes separately along the axis
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for purifying, detecting, and collecting analytes fractionated based on pI, separating analytes via electrophoresis and pI, and purifying a target molecule using pI focusing and subsequent crystallization are provided.