Disposable Fluid-Path Pipette Tip for Rapid Liquid Particle Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for concentrating particles in liquid samples are inefficient, time-consuming, require skilled operators, and prone to contamination, especially in large volume applications, limiting their use in fields like microbiology, clinical diagnostics, and biotechnology.
Innovation Solution
A disposable concentrating pipette tip (CPT) with integrated filtration and fluidic lines that allows for rapid concentration of particles by aspirating a sample, capturing particles larger than the filter pore size, and eluting them in a reduced volume using a foam or elution fluid, enabling automation and reducing operator skill requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centrifugation is used for particle concentration, then particles can be separated from liquid, but the process is time-consuming and requires skilled operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical centrifugation system with a filtration-based system using a filter element that passively concentrates particles through size-exclusion filtration. This substitution eliminates the need for high-speed rotation and complex centrifugal force generation, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining reliable particle separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the concentration function from the bulk liquid phase and implements it through a dedicated filter element that captures particles as liquid passes through. This extraction approach separates the concentration process from traditional bulk centrifugation, enabling faster processing by removing only the necessary filtration component rather than processing entire volumes.
2Reliability
If centrifugation is used for particle concentration, then particles can be separated from liquid, but skilled operators are required making automation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element performs the concentration function passively as liquid flows through it, requiring no active control or skilled intervention. The self-service mechanism automatically concentrates particles based on their size relative to filter pores, making the system inherently easier to automate and operate compared to centrifugation which requires precise speed control and operator skill.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the concentration function into a dedicated, replaceable filter element that can be independently exchanged. This segmentation allows the main system body to remain simple and automated while the filtration function is handled by a separate, user-replaceable component, greatly simplifying automation requirements.
3Reliability
If traditional filtration is used for particle concentration, then particles can be captured, but the process is tedious and prone to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable filter elements that are discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for cleaning and sterilization of filtration components. This disposable approach minimizes contamination risk by ensuring each filter element is brand new and sterile, while the low cost of the filter element makes this economical approach viable.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element is nested within a protective housing structure that isolates the filtration process from the external environment. This nested configuration protects the filter element from contamination during handling and operation, while the compact design allows the entire assembly to be easily disposed of after use.
4Quantity of substance
If large volume samples are processed, then more particles can be concentrated, but existing methods become less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is designed to handle excessive sample volumes efficiently by continuously concentrating particles as liquid passes through. The partial action of filtering only the liquid phase while concentrating particles in the retentate allows large volumes to be processed without proportionally increasing time or complexity, maintaining high productivity even at large sample sizes.
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
The CPT system significantly reduces sample volume, improves workflow efficiency, minimizes contamination risk, and enables rapid detection of microorganisms and biological agents, suitable for various analytical techniques, including PCR and flow cytometry, with improved speed and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
capturing particles larger than the filter pore size
Implementation Method 2
resuspends the captured particles in a small volume of liquid or foam
Data Source
AI summary
Highly efficient and rapid filtration-based concentration devices, systems and methods are disclosed with sample fluidic lines and a filter packaged in a disposable tip which concentrate biological particles that are suspended in liquid from a dilute feed suspension. A sample concentrate or retentate suspension is retained while eliminating the separated fluid in a separate flow stream. The concentrate is then dispensed from the disposable tip in a set volume of elution fluid. Suspended biological particles include such materials as proteins/toxins, viruses, DNA, and/or bacteria in the size range of approximately 0.001 micron to 20 microns diameter. Concentration of these particles is advantageous for detection of target particles in a dilute suspension, because concentrating them into a small volume makes them easier to detect. A single-use pipette tip includes fluid ports for aspirating the sample and connecting to a concentrating unit.