Capillary Electrophoresis Hemoglobin Analysis Surfactant Additives

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional capillary electrophoresis methods for analyzing hemoglobin, such as HbA1c and HbS, face challenges in precision and separation of normal hemoglobin (HbA0) and HbS, leading to inaccurate measurements and long analysis times, making them unsuitable for rapid laboratory testing and compact apparatus design.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a capillary electrophoresis technique with a buffer solution containing a non-ionic surfactant with an alkyl group and a sugar hydrophilic portion or a betaine-type amphoteric surfactant added to the sample, allowing for the separation of HbA0 and HbS and enabling precise analysis in a shorter time with a smaller apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional capillary electrophoresis with protein-coated capillary tube is used, then apparatus size is reduced, but HbA0 and HbS cannot be separated and measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus sizeVSAvoidseparation precision of HbA0 and HbS
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the buffer solution by introducing zwitterionic compounds and specific additives (surfactants, polymers) to modify the electrophoretic environment. This allows achieving HbA0 and HbS separation without requiring coated capillary tubes, thus maintaining compact apparatus size while improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses zwitterionic compounds and additives as intermediary substances that mediate between the capillary tube wall and hemoglobin molecules. These intermediaries create favorable interaction conditions for separation without requiring direct coating of the capillary tube, resolving the contradiction between apparatus size and separation precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If conventional capillary electrophoresis with zwitterionic buffer is used, then HbA0 and HbS can be separated, but analysis time increases and productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation of HbA0 and HbSVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes buffer solution parameters by combining zwitterionic compounds with specific additives (surfactants, polymers) to enhance migration speed and separation efficiency. This allows achieving HbA0 and HbS separation in shorter time, thereby improving productivity while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite buffer system by combining multiple components (zwitterionic compounds, surfactants, polymers) to achieve synergistic effects. This composite approach enhances both separation precision and analysis speed, resolving the contradiction between precision and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If conventional capillary electrophoresis without coating is used, then analysis time is reduced, but HbA0 and HbS peaks overlap and measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis timeVSAvoidseparation of HbA0 and HbS
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces zwitterionic compounds and additives as intermediary substances that facilitate HbA0 and HbS separation without requiring capillary tube coating. These intermediaries create favorable electrophoretic conditions that resolve peak overlap while maintaining fast analysis times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies buffer solution parameters by adding zwitterionic compounds and specific additives to enhance the electrophoretic separation capability. This allows achieving clear separation of HbA0 and HbS peaks without coating, thus maintaining both speed and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If HbA0 and HbS are not separated accurately, then analysis time is reduced, but HbA1c measurement becomes inaccurate and reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis timeVSAvoidHbA1c measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses zwitterionic compounds and additives as intermediaries that ensure accurate separation of HbA0 and HbS, preventing peak overlap. This guarantees reliable HbA1c measurement while maintaining fast analysis times through optimized buffer conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention optimizes buffer parameters by combining zwitterionic compounds with specific additives to achieve optimal separation conditions. This ensures accurate HbA1c measurement reliability while maintaining productivity through efficient electrophoretic separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for accurate separation and analysis of HbA0 and HbS, preventing artificially low HbA1c measurements in patients with sickle cell anemia, reducing analysis time, and enabling a more compact apparatus design.

Implementation Method 1

In capillary electrophoresis methods, ions that have gathered on the inner wall of a capillary tube migrate upon voltage application to generate an electroosmotic flow, which causes migration of a sample; thus, electrophoresis is carried out.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary electrophoresis: Capillary Electrophoresis

Implementation Method 2

ions that have gathered on the inner wall of a capillary tube migrate upon voltage application to generate an electroosmotic flow, which causes migration of a sample

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroosmotic flow: Electro-Osmotic Flow

Data Source

PatentEP2144055B1Method of analyzing hemoglobin by capillary electrophoresis and additive to be used therein
Publication Date: 2014.03.12 ARKRAY INC
  • EP2144055B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2144055B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2144055B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for analyzing hemoglobin by capillary electrophoresis, that allows the apparatus to be smaller in size, allows a highly precise analysis to be obtained, and allows the analysis to be performed in a short period of time. The analytical method of the present invention are methods for analyzing hemoglobin by capillary electrophoresis, comprising: a sample-providing step of providing a sample containing hemoglobin; a capillary tube-providing step of providing a capillary tube containing a buffer solution; and an electrophoresis step of carrying out electrophoresis of the sample, by introducing the sample into the buffer solution in the capillary tube, and applying a voltage across both ends of the capillary tube; wherein the electrophoresis is carried out following at least one of modes (A) and (B) below: (A) the electrophoresis is carried out with a surfactant (a) added to the buffer solution, the surfactant (a) being a non-ionic surfactant having an alkyl group as a hydrophobic portion and a sugar as a hydrophilic portion; and (B) the electrophoresis is carried out with a surfactant (b) added to the sample, the surfactant (b) being a betaine-type amphoteric surfactant.