Electrokinetic Aerosol Collector for Direct Bioassay Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for collecting aerosol particles for bioassays often result in high dilution of samples, requiring re-concentration to maintain sensitivity, and existing air purification systems are not designed for sample collection for analysis.
Innovation Solution
An electrokinetic device with a series of wires held at high voltage in a flowing airstream creates a potential well that electrostatically precipitates charged particles onto a collection area of an assay device, eliminating the need for intermediate transfer steps and allowing for direct capture and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid streaming systems are used to collect agents from air, then collection efficiency is improved, but sample dilution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a solid collection surface (electrode) as an intermediary medium between the air stream and the assay device. This solid surface allows agents to be deposited and concentrated directly without passing through a liquid stream, thereby maintaining collection efficiency while avoiding sample dilution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the liquid streaming mechanical system with an electrokinetic system using charged particles and electric fields. This substitution enables direct deposition of agents onto a solid collection surface, eliminating the dilution effect inherent in liquid streaming while maintaining collection capability.
2Productivity
If air purification systems are used for sample collection, then agent removal from air is improved, but sample analysis capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the electrode system to serve dual functions: it acts as both an air purification component (removing agents from air) and a sample collection device (concentrating agents for analysis). This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the same system suitable for both agent removal and sample analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid collection surface on the electrode serves as an intermediary that captures agents removed from air and concentrates them in a form suitable for analysis. This intermediary function enables the air purification system to also serve as a sample collection device for bioassay analysis.
3Ease of operation
If intermediate transfer steps are used in sample collection, then collection process is simplified, but analysis sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the collection function and analysis function into a single integrated system. The electrode with collection surface is positioned directly in the air stream, and the assay device is coupled directly to this collection surface, eliminating intermediate transfer steps while maintaining both operational simplicity and analysis sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate transfer steps from the sample collection process. By directly depositing agents onto the collection surface and directly coupling this to the assay device, the system removes unnecessary intermediate steps that would reduce sensitivity, thereby maintaining both simplicity and sensitivity.
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 efficient and sensitive collection of aerosol particles without dilution, allowing for direct analysis on the assay device, enhancing sensitivity and simplifying the sampling process.
Implementation Method 1
creates a potential well that electrostatically precipitates charged particles onto a collection area of an assay device
Implementation Method 2
Electrokinetic flow may be induced by the use of plasma generation at high voltage electrodes and consequent transport of charged particles in an electric voltage gradient
Implementation Method 3
Electrokinetic flow may be induced by the use of plasma generation at high voltage electrodes and consequent transport of charged particles in an electric voltage gradient
Data Source
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AI summary
Electrokinetic devices and methods are described with the purpose of collecting assayable agents from a dielectric fluid medium. Electrokinetic flow may be induced by the use of plasma generation at high voltage electrodes and consequent transport of charged particles in an electric voltage gradient In one embodiment, an ionic propulsion device for providing a sample for a bio-specific assay of aerosol particles comprises a housing receiving a sample of aerosol particles and enclosing a high voltage electrode to generate a plasma of electrically charged particles. A carrier assembly is removably receivable in the housing, the carrier assembly comprising a non-conductive carrier and an electrode removably secured to the carrier.