Electromagnetic Sampling Needle for High-Capacity SPME
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional SPME devices have limited binding capacity due to their small surface area, and integrating a larger surface area SPME membrane with a rubber piercing needle is difficult, limiting extraction efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An electromagnetic sampling device with a needle and an electromagnet that magnetizes a metal core to collect and transfer magnetic particles, allowing for increased surface area and efficient extraction of analytes, which can be integrated with a septum-piercing mechanism for sealed container access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If an SPME membrane with larger surface area is employed to enhance extraction efficiency, then the binding capacity is improved, but the integration with rubber piercing needle becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical integration approach (physically attaching membrane to needle) with an electromagnetic system. Magnetic particles are used as the extracting phase, and an electromagnet integrated into the needle tip allows for remote control of particle deployment and retrieval, eliminating the need for complex mechanical membrane-needle integration while providing larger surface area through increased particle quantity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of the extracting phase from a fixed mechanical membrane structure to movable magnetic particles whose quantity, size, and magnetic properties can be adjusted. This allows optimization of surface area and binding capacity independently of the needle structure, resolving the integration difficulty while enhancing extraction efficiency
2Productivity
If magnetic particles are collected and transferred using electromagnetic sampling device, then extraction efficiency is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the piercing needle for accessing sealed containers and as the electromagnet actuator for magnetic particle control. The electromagnet integrated into the needle tip allows the same device to both deploy magnetic particles into the sample and retrieve them for analysis, eliminating the need for separate mechanical deployment and retrieval mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic particles themselves serve as both the extracting phase and the transfer mechanism. When the electromagnet is activated, the particles are held against the needle tip; when deactivated, they are released into the sample. The particles' magnetic response to the electromagnet eliminates the need for separate actuation mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high extraction efficiency
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 device enhances extraction efficiency by providing a higher surface area for magnetic particle collection and integration with RF mixing for effective analyte capture and transfer, facilitating sample analysis.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet comprising an electromagnetic coil and a metal core, wherein an activation of said electromagnetic coil magnetizes the metal core and causes the metal core to attract magnetic particles
Implementation Method 2
the metal core is configured to collect a plurality of magnetic particles disposed in the container when the metal core is magnetized
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
An electromagnetic sampling device is disclosed, which comprises a needle having a hollow housing that extends from a proximal end to a distal end, and an electromagnet comprising an electromagnetic coil and a metal core, at least a portion of said metal core extending through said hollow housing of the needle and be configured to transition between an extended position in which the distal end of the metal core extends beyond the distal end of the needle's hollow housing and a retracted position in which the distal end of the metal core is positioned within the needle's housing, wherein an activation of said electromagnetic coil magnetizes the metal core.