Microfluidic Flow Cell Molecule Recovery Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for molecule recovery from sample fluids are hindered by contamination from foreign molecules in the conduit system, leading to inaccurate identification of molecules bound to ligands due to remnant sample fluid and other contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic assembly with a flow cell, waste reservoirs, buffer reservoirs, and controlled fluid pathways allows for selective flushing and collection of molecules bound to ligands, minimizing contamination by using buffer fluids to clean the conduit system and isolate bound molecules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If buffer fluid flows through the conduit from the flow cell to the mass spectrometer, then collected molecules are transported for analysis, but the buffer fluid becomes contaminated by foreign molecules present in the conduit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes remnant sample fluid from the conduit using a cleaning buffer before transporting the collected molecules. This eliminates the source of contamination (foreign molecules) from the conduit, ensuring that only bound molecules are analyzed at the mass spectrometer, thereby resolving the contradiction between transport efficiency and measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs a preliminary cleaning step by flowing buffer fluid through the conduit to remove remnant sample fluid before the actual transport of collected molecules. This preliminary action prevents contamination from occurring in the first place, maintaining both efficient transport and high identification accuracy
2Ease of operation
If remnant sample fluid is present in the conduit, then the conduit is ready for use, but the buffer fluid collects foreign molecules leading to false identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of remnant sample fluid (which causes contamination and false identification) into a beneficial cleaning opportunity. By intentionally flowing buffer fluid through the conduit to remove the remnant sample fluid, the system eliminates the source of error and improves identification reliability, turning a potential problem into a quality assurance step
3Productivity
If the conduit is used to transport buffer fluid with collected molecules, then molecule recovery is achieved, but contamination from foreign molecules reduces identification precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid transport process into distinct phases: a cleaning phase where buffer fluid removes remnant sample fluid, and a transport phase where the same buffer fluid carries collected molecules to the mass spectrometer. This segmentation ensures that the conduit is clean before transport begins, maintaining both high recovery efficiency and precise identification
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 approach effectively reduces contamination, enabling accurate identification of molecules bound to ligands by ensuring that only bound molecules are collected and analyzed, improving the precision of molecule recovery and identification.
Implementation Method 1
the buffer fluid flows into the flow cell where is collects the molecules which are bound to the ligands; and then the buffer fluid containing the collected molecules flows along a conduit from the flow cell to a mass spectrometer
Implementation Method 2
The ligands bind to molecules which have a predefined characteristic, for example having a high affinity or attraction to the ligands
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present invention there is provided a method of molecule recovery using an assembly which comprises a first flow cell (2) which comprises comprising first ligands (4) which can bind to molecules, and a conduit which can selectively fluidly connect the first flow cell to a collection reservoir (39); the method comprising the steps of (a) flowing a sample fluid along the conduit into the first flow cell (2); (b) flowing a buffer fluid through at least a portion of the conduit, without flowing any of the buffer fluid through the first flow cell (2) so that sample fluid is maintained in the first flow cell (2) but said at least a portion of the conduit is cleaned by the buffer fluid; (c) flowing a buffer fluid through the first flow cell (2) to flush the sample fluid out of the first flow cell (2); (d) lowing a fluid through the first flow cell (2), along the conduit, and into the collection reservoir, so that molecules of the sample fluid which were bound to first ligands (4) and which have become dissociated from the ligand (4) are collected into the fluid which flows through the first flow cell (2) and are brought to the collection reservoir. There is provided a corresponding method for recovering molecules which passively dissociate from first ligands (4), and, a corresponding method for recovering molecules which actively dissociate from first ligands (4). There is further provided corresponding assemblies which can be used to implement the above-mentioned methods.