Flexible Magnetic Pins for High-Throughput Separation Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing magnetic separation systems face issues with jamming and breakage due to size and position tolerances between magnetic pins and recesses in multiwell plates, which complicates the production and increases costs, especially in high-throughput systems, and can lead to inhomogeneous magnetic fields.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic separation plate with flexible or flexibly fastened magnetic pins that are individually displaceable, allowing for reversible coupling with multiwell plates, reducing mechanical stress and enabling the use of smaller recesses while maintaining a homogeneous and intense magnetic field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic pins are inserted into preadapted recesses in multiwell plates, then magnetic separation can be performed, but jamming and breakage occur due to size and position tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the magnetic pins from rigid to flexible, allowing them to deform and adapt to tolerances in the recesses. This flexibility enables easy insertion and removal without jamming or breakage, while maintaining reliable magnetic separation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic pins are designed to be dynamically adaptable through their flexibility, allowing them to move and deform during insertion and operation. This dynamic property enables the pins to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and maintain reliable contact with the multiwell plate recesses.
2Ease of operation
If recesses are widened to accommodate pin tolerances, then pin insertion is easier, but magnetic field intensity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the pins from rigid to flexible, the patent allows the use of smaller recesses that maintain strong magnetic field intensity. The flexibility compensates for tolerance variations, eliminating the need to widen recesses while preserving both ease of operation and magnetic field strength.
3Manufacturing precision
If strictly controlled tolerances are imposed on recesses, then pin fit is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexibility of the magnetic pins allows the system to operate with standard, less precise tolerances in the recesses. This eliminates the need for expensive precision manufacturing while maintaining reliable pin fit and magnetic separation performance.
4Productivity
If device size is reduced for high-throughput systems, then productivity increases, but pin insertion becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible magnetic pins maintain ease of insertion even in compact, high-throughput device configurations. Their flexibility allows them to adapt to smaller recesses and tighter spaces, enabling reduced device size without compromising operational ease or productivity.
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 solution enhances the stability and durability of magnetic pins, simplifies production, reduces costs, and ensures a homogeneous and intense magnetic field, even with smaller recesses, improving the efficiency and reliability of magnetic separation processes.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic separation... on the basis of magnetic forces
Implementation Method 2
separated from the liquid by means of magnetic forces generated by magnetic pins
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic separation plate for use in methods employing magnetic particles, said magnetic separation plate comprising a support plate and magnetic pins in a predetermined geometrical arrangement, said magnetic pins having a fastening portion, an intermediate portion and a separation portion and being fastened to said support plate at their fastening portion, wherein said magnetic pins are individually displaceable at their separation portion. The invention further provides a method for the separation of magnetic particles using the separation plate.