Electroless Gold Plated Metal Filter for CTC Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal filters used for capturing Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) face issues such as dissolution in the presence of chelating agents, cytotoxicity, and poor biocompatibility, which affect their effectiveness and stability in capturing CTCs from blood samples.
Innovation Solution
A biomolecule capturing filter with electroless gold plating on a metal surface, specifically nickel, silver, or palladium, combined with a biocompatible polymer treatment to enhance biocompatibility and prevent metal ion elution, maintaining pressure resistance and reducing cytotoxicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal filters (such as nickel, iron, or other base metals) are used to capture CTCs, then pressure resistance and structural strength are improved, but metal ion dissolution occurs in the presence of chelating agents (like EDTA), leading to cytotoxicity and poor biocompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a metal substrate (nickel, iron, or other base metals) with a gold plating layer. The metal substrate provides pressure resistance and structural strength, while the gold plating layer prevents metal ion dissolution and eliminates cytotoxicity. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between needing strong pressure resistance and avoiding harmful metal ion release in the presence of chelating agents like EDTA.
2Reliability
If precious metals (such as gold or platinum) are used to prevent dissolution and improve biocompatibility, then cytotoxicity is reduced and stability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively plating only the surface of the metal filter with gold, rather than using solid gold throughout the entire filter structure. The gold plating layer (5-50 nm thick) provides the necessary biocompatibility and dissolution resistance only where it contacts the blood sample and CTCs, while the bulk metal substrate provides structural support at much lower cost. This resolves the contradiction between needing high biocompatibility and maintaining cost-effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If resin filters are used instead of metal filters, then biocompatibility is improved and dissolution is prevented, but pressure resistance and structural strength are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by creating a composite structure where the metal substrate (nickel, iron, or other base metals) provides the necessary pressure resistance and structural strength, while the gold plating layer provides the biocompatibility and dissolution resistance. This composite approach allows the filter to overcome the limitations of both pure resin filters (weak structure) and pure metal filters (toxicity and dissolution).
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 solution effectively captures CTCs while minimizing metal ion elution and improving biocompatibility, ensuring stable performance and high recovery rates of cancer cells with reduced cytotoxicity and discoloration.
Implementation Method 1
a biomolecule capturing filter with electroless gold plating on a metal surface
Implementation Method 2
electroless gold plating
Implementation Method 3
combined with a biocompatible polymer treatment to enhance biocompatibility and prevent metal ion elution
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(I)
Figure 2(A)~2(H)
AI summary
A biomolecule capturing filter, comprising a gold plating on the surface of a biomolecule capturing filter made of a metal other than gold, the gold plating being electroless gold plating is disclosed.