Electrophoretic Separation Device with Custom Migration Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrophoretic separation methods are time-consuming, lack sensitivity for low-concentration samples, and suffer from incomplete transfer and smearing due to orthogonal migration and air bubbles, with limited customizability and high costs in microfluidic systems.
Innovation Solution
An electrophoretic separation device with a liquid separation medium inside a porous scaffold material, allowing for custom-designed migration paths and direct electrical separation within the scaffold, reducing manual steps and enabling faster, more sensitive analysis by enclosing the sample within the medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional blotting methods are used for biomolecule separation and transfer, then the method is well-established and can be performed with standard equipment, but the process takes up to 2 days and requires considerable time for separation and membrane transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the separation medium with the membrane by applying the liquid separation medium directly onto the porous scaffold material, which serves as both the membrane support and the separation medium container. This integration eliminates the need for separate transfer steps and reduces the overall process time from up to 2 days to significantly shorter durations, while maintaining effective biomolecule separation and detection capabilities
2Measurement precision
If conventional blotting methods are used, then standard equipment can be employed, but the sensitivity for detecting low-concentration samples is insufficient and samples must contain biomolecules in the μ-gram range
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies the separation medium locally in a custom-made geometrical shape that defines a specific migration path for the sample. This localized application concentrates the separation process in a controlled region, enhancing the detection sensitivity for low-concentration samples by ensuring that even trace amounts of biomolecules follow a defined path through the separation medium, improving both precision and detection capability
3Productivity
If orthogonal transfer is used in conventional blotting, then the transfer can be performed from gel to membrane, but incomplete transfer occurs due to air bubbles and loss of molecules that migrate through the membrane
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the transfer dimension by applying the liquid separation medium directly onto the porous scaffold material in a custom-made geometrical shape, creating a three-dimensional separation path within the membrane structure. This eliminates the need for orthogonal transfer and prevents air bubbles from forming between separate gel and membrane layers, ensuring complete transfer and preventing biomolecule loss
4Productivity
If microfluidic electrophoresis systems are used, then separation speed is improved, but the use of premade structured chips restricts custom migration path design and leads to high manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the migration path dynamic and adaptable by allowing the separation medium to be applied in custom-made geometrical shapes that can be tailored to specific experimental requirements. Unlike fixed premade microfluidic chips, this approach enables flexible design of migration paths while maintaining fast separation speeds, combining the advantages of both conventional and microfluidic methods
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 significantly reduces separation and analysis time, enhances sensitivity, and eliminates transfer-related issues, allowing for efficient and precise separation and detection of biomolecules with reduced material costs and increased automation.
Implementation Method 1
applying a voltage to the separation medium by means of the anode and the cathode leading to the migration of the biomolecules inside the separation medium
Implementation Method 2
The liquid separation medium is located inside the porous scaffold material
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electrophoretic separation device, comprising an anode and a cathode, a porous scaffold material, and a liquid separation medium, wherein the separation medium is located inside the porous scaffold material, is in contact with the cathode and the anode, and has been applied to the porous scaffold material in form of a custom-made geometrical shape defining a migration path for a biomolecule-containing sample, wherein the sample is enclosed by the separation medium. The invention further relates to a method for electrophoretic separation of biomolecules, comprising the electrophoretic separation device of the present invention, a biomolecule-containing sample, wherein the sample is applied to the porous scaffold material prior to the application of the separation medium, or the sample is applied to the separation medium located inside the porous scaffold material, resulting in enclosure of the sample by the separation medium, wherein the location of the sample within the geometrical shape of the separation medium can be freely chosen, and applying a voltage to the separation medium by means of the anode and the cathode leading to the migration of the biomolecules inside the separation medium.