Electrode Capture Module for Selective Analyte Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biomolecule manufacturing processes face challenges in selectively removing impurities with similar composition and physicochemical properties to desired biomolecules, leading to high-yield inefficiencies and low-yield difficulties in concentrating rare desirable agents, while traditional purification techniques often require extensive product handling and increase contamination and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A module and system for separating analytes from contaminants using tunable capture sites with adjustable attractive and repulsive forces, enabling selective capture of target particles through local potential minima, allowing for parallelization and integration with other modules for comprehensive purification and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional purification techniques are used to separate analytes from contaminants, then separation can be achieved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates because impurities have similar composition and physicochemical properties to desired biomolecules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing multiple physicochemical parameters simultaneously (charge, size, hydrophobicity) rather than relying on a single property. The purification system adjusts these parameters dynamically to differentiate between analytes and contaminants that have similar compositions, thereby improving separation precision and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite purification mechanisms that combine multiple separation principles (electrostatic interactions, size exclusion, hydrophobic effects) into a unified system. This composite approach enables effective differentiation and separation of biomolecules with similar properties by leveraging the combined effect of multiple interaction mechanisms
2Productivity
If high-yield processes are used to remove impurities, then impurity removal efficiency improves, but manufacturing precision deteriorates because rare undesirable biomolecules cannot be selectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts multiple physicochemical parameters to optimize the balance between productivity and selectivity. By tuning charge, size, and hydrophobicity parameters, the system can selectively target rare undesirable biomolecules while maintaining high impurity removal efficiency, resolving the contradiction between yield and precision
3Manufacturing precision
If low-yield processes are used to concentrate rare desirable therapeutic agents, then manufacturing precision improves for concentration, but productivity deteriorates because selective concentration is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes to enhance both concentration precision and productivity. By adjusting multiple parameters (charge, size, hydrophobicity) simultaneously, the system achieves selective concentration of rare therapeutic agents with high precision while maintaining efficient processing rates through optimized parameter combinations
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple disconnected tools and systems are used for production, purification, and analysis, then functional versatility improves, but device complexity increases causing extensive product handling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges production, purification, and analysis functions into an integrated modular system. This consolidation reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple disconnected tools, minimizes product handling steps, and maintains functional versatility through modular architecture that can be configured for different applications
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs universal modules that can perform multiple functions (production, purification, analysis) depending on configuration. This multi-functionality approach maintains adaptability across different applications while reducing overall system complexity through standardized, reusable components
5Ease of operation
If extensive product handling is used in traditional processes, then operational flexibility improves, but reliability deteriorates due to increased contamination and error risks
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple operations into an integrated system, the invention minimizes the number of product transfer steps and handling operations. This reduces contamination risks and error probabilities while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control of the integrated processes
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 system provides efficient, stable, and reliable separation of target particles from complex mixtures, reducing contamination risks and manufacturing costs by facilitating high-yield impurity removal and low-yield analyte concentration with a modular, all-in-one approach.
Implementation Method 1
by operating the electrodes both an attractive force and a repulsive force acting on a target particle can be realized, the attractive force and/or repulsive force being tuneable so that the forces acting on the target particle create a local potential minimum at one of the capture sites
Implementation Method 2
the forces (e.g., electric and/or hydrodynamic forces) acting on the target particle can be modulated
Implementation Method 3
the forces (e.g., electric and/or hydrodynamic forces) acting on the target particle can be modulated
Data Source
AI summary
A module for separating an analyte from a contaminant is provided. The module includes a fluidic channel for a liquid flowing therethrough. The liquid includes the analyte and the contaminant. The module also includes a plurality of capture sites in the fluidic channel, and a plurality of electrodes arranged near the capture sites. By operating the electrodes, both an attractive force and a repulsive force, acting on a target particle can be realized. The attractive force and/or repulsive force are tuneable so that the forces acting on the target particle create a local potential minimum at one of the capture sites, thereby capturing the target particle at the capture site. The target particle is either the analyte or the contaminant.