Electrokinetic Device for Capturing Assayable Agents in Dielectric Fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for collecting bio-specific agents from air streams often result in high dilution of samples, reducing sensitivity unless re-concentration occurs, and do not effectively utilize electric field gradients to focus particles onto collection means for assays.
Innovation Solution
A device employing wire electrodes to generate a plasma and create a potential well, attracting charged particles from a flowing dielectric fluid stream and focusing them onto a collection area of an assay device, either through electrokinetic or mechanical means, for enhanced sensitivity and efficient sampling.
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 and sensitivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a localized high-field region between the wire electrode and collection means where particles are concentrated. The electric field is highly non-uniform, with maximum field strength at the wire surface that decreases with distance. This local field concentration allows efficient particle capture in a small volume without diluting the sample across a large collection area, thereby maintaining sensitivity while achieving high collection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from planar electrode configurations to a wire electrode geometry, creating a three-dimensional electric field gradient. This dimensional change produces radial field lines that converge particles onto the collection means from all directions, enhancing collection efficiency without requiring large collection surfaces that would dilute the sample.
2Ease of operation
If conventional collection methods are used, then sampling is simple, but re-concentration is required which adds complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the sampling and concentration functions into a single integrated process. The electrokinetic collection means simultaneously captures particles from the air stream and concentrates them onto the assay surface through the electric field gradient, eliminating the need for separate re-concentration steps and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If electric field gradients are not utilized, then device design is simple, but particle focusing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the electric field parameter from uniform to highly non-uniform by using a wire electrode geometry. This parameter change creates a gradient in field strength that provides the focusing capability needed to direct particles onto the collection means. The simple wire-to-plate configuration achieves complex particle focusing behavior through this fundamental parameter change, balancing device simplicity with effective particle concentration.
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 approach allows for the efficient capture and concentration of charged particles onto a collection area, improving the sensitivity of bio-specific assays by utilizing the electric field to direct particles into a potential well, thereby reducing the need for re-concentration and enhancing the detection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
one or more wire electrodes in the enclosure subject dielectric fluid medium flowing in the enclosure to an ionizing plasma
Implementation Method 2
one or more capture electrodes are positioned proximate the supporting means to create a voltage potential well whereby charged particles thus generated within the dielectric fluid medium, or pre-existing in said dielectric fluid medium, are propelled into the supported bio-specific assay device thereby electroprecipitating the charged particles on to a sample collection region of the bio-specific assay device
Data Source
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, the agents are directed electrokinetically to the sample collection assay device with no intermediate transfer steps. The agents are directed by creation of an electrokinetic potential well, which will effect their capture on to an assay device. Environmental agents such as biowarfare agents, pathogens, allergens or pollutants are collected autonomously on to the assay device, without any human intervention. The dielectric fluid medium, such as air, is sampled by electrokinetic propulsion with no moving parts or optionally, by transporting the dielectric fluid by a fan, pump or by breath. A further embodiment for collection of pathogen samples entails breathing into a tube where the sample is exposed to an electric plasma in the neighborhood of a high voltage electrode or electrodes, further transported by the breath through a potential well created at a sample collection device, where charge particles are electroprecipitated. The dielectric fluid medium may further include non-conductive liquids, such as oils. Oils may be sampled for the presence of contaminants, contaminating organisms or bio-degrading organisms.