Fine-particle sorting using rule-based population determination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fine-particle sorting apparatuses face challenges in maximizing the collection rate of target particles while maintaining the purity of the sorted particles, particularly in blood-derived samples where non-target cells like red blood cells can interfere with the sorting process.

Innovation Solution

A fine-particle sorting apparatus that employs a determination unit using rule data to differentiate between target and non-target particles based on their populations and relationships within a predetermined range, allowing for the collection of ignorable particles like red blood cells alongside target cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the sorting process collects only target cells, then the purity of sorted particles is improved, but the collection rate of target particles deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepurity of sorted particlesVSAvoidcollection rate of target particles

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments particle populations into distinct categories (target particles, ignorable particles, and other non-target particles) and applies different sorting rules to each segment. This allows the system to collect target particles while selectively ignoring ignorable particles like red blood cells, thereby resolving the contradiction between purity and collection rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different quality criteria to different particle types within the sample. Target particles are evaluated based on strict matching criteria, while ignorable particles are given a different status that allows them to be present without compromising the sorting outcome. This local differentiation enables simultaneous optimization of purity and collection rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If ignorable particles like red blood cells are discarded, then the purity of sorted particles is improved, but the collection rate of target particles deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepurity of sorted particlesVSAvoidcollection rate of target particles

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the concept of 'ignorable particles' as a distinct category from the traditional binary classification of target vs. non-target particles. By taking out ignorable particles like red blood cells and assigning them a special status, the system can ignore their presence during sorting decisions, thereby maintaining high collection rates without compromising purity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of treating all non-target particles as harmful to be excluded, the patent inverts the approach by identifying a subset of non-target particles (ignorable particles) that can be safely present in the sorted output. This inversion allows the system to focus sorting efforts on distinguishing target particles from other non-target particles, rather than excluding all non-target particles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If the sorting process is set to collect target cells, then the productivity is improved, but the purity deteriorates due to inclusion of non-target cells

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollection rate of target particlesVSAvoidpurity of sorted particles

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the concept of ignorable particles as an intermediary category between target particles and other non-target particles. This intermediary classification acts as a mediator that allows the sorting system to tolerate the presence of certain non-target particles (like red blood cells) without affecting the purity of the sorted target particle population, thereby enabling high productivity without purity loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4182672B1Fine-particle sorting apparatus, fine-particle sorting method, program, and fine particle-sorting system

Publication Date: 2025.02.12 SONY GROUP CORP

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AI summary

There is provided a fine-particle sorting apparatus, including: a determination unit that performs sorting determination of a particle, the determination unit performing the determination using rule data defining, in accordance with a particle population to which a particle that is a sorting-determination target belongs and a particle population to which a different particle within a predetermined range around the particle belongs, a relationship between the particles, particle populations to which the particle that is a sorting-determination target and the different particle within the predetermined range may belong including the following particle populations of (a) a particle population of particles to be sorted, (b) a particle population of particles that are not to be sorted but are ignorable in the determination, and (c) a particle population of particles that are neither the particles to be sorted nor the ignorable particles, the ignorable particles including red blood cells.