Integrated Electrophoresis Cartridge for Automated Sample Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for sample preparation, processing, and analysis are often labor-intensive and require manual handling, lacking integration and automation, which limits their efficiency and portability for applications such as forensic analysis and remote locations.
Innovation Solution
The development of integrated electrophoresis cartridges that can be releasably engaged with a system, enabling wireless communication and automatic establishment of fluidic, electrical, optical, thermal, and mechanical communications, along with a fluid handling system to move samples and reagents, facilitating automated sample preparation, processing, and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling and operation are used for sample preparation and analysis, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate functions (sample preparation, electrophoresis separation, detection) into a single integrated cartridge system. The cartridge integrates the sample well, separation medium, electrodes, and detection components into one unified device that can be automatically handled by the system, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is designed to be self-contained with pre-loaded separation media and reagents, allowing it to perform multiple operations autonomously once inserted into the system. The cartridge automatically establishes fluidic, electrical, and optical connections upon insertion, reducing the need for manual intervention and increasing processing efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If integrated electrophoresis cartridges with automatic engagement are developed, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge interface is designed to universally establish multiple types of communications (fluidic, electrical, optical, thermal, mechanical) through a single engagement action. This multi-functional interface allows the cartridge to automatically connect to various system components without requiring separate manual connections for each communication type, improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is pre-configured with all necessary connections and components before insertion. The interface elements (fluidic ports, electrical contacts, optical windows, thermal coupling surfaces) are pre-positioned and pre-aligned, allowing automatic establishment of all communications upon simple insertion into the cartridge interface, rather than requiring sequential manual connections.
3Productivity
If automated fluid handling systems are implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex fluid handling mechanisms from the main system and incorporates them directly into the disposable cartridge. The cartridge contains integrated reagent reservoirs, channels, and mixing structures that perform all fluid handling operations locally, allowing the external system to simply pump fluid into the cartridge without managing complex fluid manipulation internally. This transfers complexity to the low-cost disposable component.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is designed as a disposable component that contains all fluid handling infrastructure. After use, the entire cartridge is discarded rather than cleaned and reused. This allows the use of complex, non-reusable fluid handling structures (integrated channels, mixed reagents, pre-prepared separation media) that would be too costly to maintain if reusable, while enabling automated high-speed processing.
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 solution enables highly automated, efficient, and portable sample processing and analysis, reducing labor and time required for genetic profiling, allowing for rapid analysis in various settings, including remote locations, with the ability to engage and disengage the electrophoresis cartridge automatically.
Implementation Method 1
Electrophoresis is the motion of dispersed particles relative to a fluid under the influence of a spatially uniform electric field. It may be caused by the presence of a charged interface between the particle surface and the surrounding fluid. Electrophoresis is the basis for a number of analytical techniques used in biochemistry for separating molecules by size, charge, or binding affinity.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for sample preparation, processing and analysis. Also provided in the present disclosure is a fully-integrated electrophoresis cartridge which has a small footprint and configured to removably engage with the system. An electrophoresis cartridge adapted to releasably engage with a cartridge interface of a system is provided. The electrophoresis cartridge comprises: an electrophoresis assembly including: (1) an anode sub-assembly comprising an anode, (2) a cathode sub-assembly comprising a cathode; and (3) at least one electrophoresis capillary having a first end and a second end, wherein the cathode and the anode are configured to provide a voltage gradient across the first end and the second end of the at least one electrophoresis capillary.