Flexible Capillary Array Cartridge for Parallel CE Sample Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidic chips for analytical instruments are expensive to fabricate and have limited design flexibility due to etching limitations, require complex preparation procedures, and suffer from limited shelf life and degradation of analytical separation media.
Innovation Solution
A capillary array device with a flexible section that allows movement of a movable section relative to stationary sections, enabling parallel capillaries for sample analysis, and includes a voltage source for electrophoresis, along with a light detector for optical alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If microfluidic chips are fabricated using glass etching and bonding techniques, then analytical separation can be performed, but fabrication costs are high and design flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate modules: a reusable holder body and replaceable capillary cartridges. This segmentation allows the expensive holder to be manufactured once using precision techniques while the disposable cartridges can be simply filled with different separation media, reducing overall fabrication costs and enabling easy design changes by swapping cartridges rather than remanufacturing the entire device
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs disposable capillary cartridges that are pre-filled or user-fillable with analytical separation media. These cartridges are designed for single-use or limited-use applications, eliminating the need for expensive, complex cleaning and re preparation procedures while allowing rapid更换 of different separation media types, thus reducing fabrication costs and improving design flexibility
2Reliability
If complex preparation procedures are used for microfluidic chips, then proper function is achieved, but preparation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Capillary cartridges are pre-filled with analytical separation media during manufacturing or can be easily filled by the user before use. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex on-site preparation procedures such as gel casting, flushing, and conditioning that are required for traditional microfluidic chips, while ensuring proper function through factory-controlled filling processes
Solution Approach 2:
The device design allows users to independently load samples and replacement cartridges without requiring complex external equipment or procedures. The self-contained cartridge system with integrated sample loading ports enables users to perform sample preparation and device setup themselves, reducing preparation complexity while maintaining reliable function through standardized interfaces and procedures
3Productivity
If capillaries are preloaded with analytical separation medium, then separation can be performed, but shelf life is limited and degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The analytical system is segmented into a reusable holder and disposable cartridges. Cartridges can be purchased pre-filled with stable separation media for immediate use, or users can fill them themselves shortly before experimentation. This segmentation allows high productivity through ready-to-use cartridges while maintaining media stability by avoiding long-term storage of pre-filled systems, as each cartridge is used promptly after acquisition or filling
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables rapid changes in separation media parameters by simply replacing cartridges rather than changing media in a fixed system. Each cartridge can contain different separation media with optimized parameters for specific applications, and the ability to quickly swap cartridges maintains productivity while avoiding the degradation that would occur with prolonged storage of single media types
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
Facilitates efficient and flexible sample analysis with reduced fabrication costs and improved durability of analytical separation media, allowing for cost-effective and high-throughput sample processing.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible section coupling the stationary section and the movable section; and the flexible section flexes in response to movement of the movable section
Implementation Method 2
a voltage source configured to apply a potential difference across the capillaries... effective for performing capillary electrophoresis on samples disposed in the capillaries
Implementation Method 3
a light detector positioned in optical alignment with the capillaries to receive light emitted from the capillaries... configured to make optical-based measurements (e.g., fluorescence, absorbance, imaging, etc.) of analytes of a sample
Data Source
AI summary
A capillary array device includes a flexible component allowing movement of at least part of the device relative to an array of capillaries, thereby allowing different materials to be loaded into the capillaries. The capillaries may be utilized to contain samples that are to be measured by a capillary electrophoresis (CE) instrument or other type of analytical instrument.