Electrophoretic Separator for Rapid Protein Concentration and Purification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for separating and concentrating target substances, such as proteins, are inefficient, require multiple steps, and can be hindered by contaminants, leading to issues like clogging and interference from non-ionic substances like glycerol.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a separator to selectively move target substances through electrophoresis from a first solution chamber to a second chamber, with controlled buffer exchange and selective movement based on electrical conductivity and charge, allowing for concentration and purification in a single step.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dialysis is used to separate and concentrate target substance, then separation can be achieved, but treatment time becomes very long (several hours to a whole day)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive dialysis process (driven by osmotic pressure) with an active electrophoresis system that uses electric fields to drive charged particles through a membrane. This substitution of the driving mechanism dramatically reduces treatment time from hours/days to minutes while maintaining separation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by applying voltage to create an electric field, transforming the separation process from diffusion-based (dialysis) to field-driven (electrophoresis). This parameter change enables rapid separation and concentration without the time constraints of traditional dialysis.
2Quantity of substance
If centrifugal ultrafiltration is used for concentration, then concentration can be achieved, but clogging occurs in filtration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical centrifugal force with electrical field force to drive substance through the membrane. This eliminates the high-pressure mechanical stress that causes clogging in centrifugal ultrafiltration, while still achieving effective concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a charged membrane as an intermediary that selectively transports charged particles through electrophoresis. This intermediary mechanism avoids direct mechanical contact and high-pressure filtration, preventing clogging while maintaining concentration capability.
3Quantity of substance
If glycerol is added to concentrate target substance by dialysis, then concentration can be achieved, but glycerol contamination affects analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces osmotic pressure-based dialysis with electrophoresis-driven separation. This eliminates the need for glycerol as a concentrating agent, thereby preventing glycerol contamination of the target substance while still achieving concentration through electrical field-driven transport.
4Manufacturing precision
If two-dimensional electrophoresis is performed to separate target substance, then separation precision is improved, but device area and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a single device that can achieve separation, concentration, and purification in one step through electrophoresis. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for multiple separate electrophoresis steps and large two-dimensional gel areas, reducing device complexity while maintaining separation precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges separation, concentration, and purification functions into a single electrophoresis process. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple sequential steps and large device areas, achieving high precision with a compact, simple device.
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
Enables efficient separation, concentration, and purification of target substances with reduced contamination, using a compact device that minimizes interference and enhances detection sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
selectively moving the target substance by electrophoresis from the first solution to the second solution through the separator
Implementation Method 2
an electric field is applied from outside the first solution chamber and the second solution chamber so that the target substance is allowed to selectively move by electrophoresis
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of treating a target substance by electrophoresis includes providing a separator that allows passage of a target substance, introducing a first solution containing the target substance to a first side of the separator, introducing a second solution to a second side of the separator, and selectively moving the target substance by electrophoresis from the first solution to the second solution through the separator.