Fibrin Pellet Anchor for Automated Sample Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sample preparation methods for bioassays are labor-intensive, costly, and pose health risks, with complex workflows and limited automation compatibility, especially when handling fibrin pellets formed during target molecule separation.
Innovation Solution
A device with a container and anchor element that traps and separates polymerized fibrin pellets, allowing for easy handling and concentration of target molecules or particles by converting fibrinogen into fibrin, which forms a small pellet that can be easily captured and lysed for target recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual or complex robotic pipetting steps with long centrifugation rounds are used for sample preparation, then target molecules or particles can be separated and concentrated, but the procedure becomes slow, costly, labor consuming, and poses health risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fibrinogen-containing sample from the complex manual preparation workflow and processes it through a simplified device that automatically forms and separates fibrin pellets, eliminating the need for lengthy manual pipetting and centrifugation steps while maintaining target concentration and detection precision
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables self-service sample preparation where the fibrinogen in the sample automatically polymerizes to form fibrin pellets that self-separate from the liquid phase, eliminating the need for operator intervention in centrifugation and manual handling steps
2Measurement precision
If solid surfaces such as magnetic beads or microwells coated with affinity groups are used to capture and separate targets, then excellent specificity is achieved, but reaction rates become slow and non-specific binding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the separation medium from solid surfaces to polymerized fibrin networks in solution, enabling fast homogeneous reactions while maintaining specificity through the fibrinogen-fibrin transition that selectively traps target particles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fibrinogen as an intermediary substance that mediates between the liquid sample and the formed fibrin pellet, enabling targets to be captured through the polymerization process rather than through slow adsorption onto solid surfaces
3Productivity
If fibrinogen is converted to fibrin to form a pellet for target separation, then fast and efficient target capture is achieved, but handling the fibrin pellet becomes physically complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension by forming the fibrin pellet around a central support structure (such as a magnetic bead or solid support) rather than as a free-floating aggregate, enabling easy manipulation and separation of the pellet through the support structure without complex handling procedures
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, automated, and standardized sample preparation with minimal hands-on time, achieving high concentration rates and facilitating precise diagnostics by integrating with automated systems and reducing handling complexities.
Implementation Method 1
converting the fibrinogen vehicle to fibrin which leads to their aggregation in a fibrin network that will retract into a small pellet and separate from the sample
Data Source
AI summary
A device for separating and concentrating target particles or molecules from a fibrinogen containing sample of liquid comprises a container (1) for collecting the sample and a closure (2). The container (1) comprises a first end and a second end and at least one interior wall defining a reservoir portion (5) for receiving the sample. The reservoir portion (5) comprises at least one anchor element (4) to locally catch a polymerized fibrin pellet formed upon the addition of the sample into the container. The separation and concentration process is operated by trapping the target particles or molecules into the so-formed polymerized fibrin pellet that are captured on the anchor element (4).