Rigid Porous HGR-Filter for Spin Column Media Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spin-column devices face challenges with media distortion when used in fixed-angle centrifuges, leading to uneven separation paths and compromised separation performance, and require specific rotor types and careful orientation for effective operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a rigid porous HGR-filter above the separation media, with a diameter equal to the column's inner diameter and height greater than half the radius, allows for use in both swinging bucket and fixed-angle centrifuges without media distortion, enabling parallel liquid flow and facilitating sample disruption and elution through centrifugation, pressure, or vacuum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a spin-column device is used in a fixed-angle centrifuge, then the centrifugation process is simpler and more versatile, but the separation media becomes distorted and forms an angled surface leading to uneven separation paths
Solution Approach 1:
A rigid porous filter is introduced as an intermediary component between the separation media and the column wall. This filter acts as a structural support that maintains the uniform distribution of separation media when centrifuged in a fixed-angle rotor, preventing the media from forming an angled surface while still allowing liquid flow through the system.
2Manufacturing precision
If a rigid porous filter is added to maintain media uniformity, then separation performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A rigid porous filter is incorporated into the spin-column device structure. This porous filter provides mechanical support to maintain uniform separation media distribution during fixed-angle centrifugation while still allowing liquid flow through its porous structure, thus improving separation performance without blocking fluid passage.
3Productivity
If the separation media is pre-spun to remove excess liquid, then the separation efficiency is improved, but the orientation must be maintained precisely during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The separation media is pre-spun during the manufacturing process to remove excess liquid and establish a uniform distribution pattern. The rigid porous filter is also pre-installed in the correct orientation during manufacturing, so that when the spin-column is assembled and used, the media maintains its uniform distribution without requiring precise orientation handling by the user.
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 HGR-filter assembly ensures uniform separation media distribution, reduces sample preparation time and complexity, and allows for wider utility in isolating biological molecules, including DNA and proteins, across various centrifuge types, enhancing separation efficiency and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
the spin-column is pre-spun in a centrifuge, preferably equipped with a 'swinging-bucket' rotor to keep the bulk mass of the separation media within the column from slanting and to maintain a uniform flow path for the suspension media and sample material that is parallel to the walls of the column
Implementation Method 2
Following centrifugation in a 'swinging bucket' rotor the separation media has an essentially uniform distribution in the spin column and when viewed perpendicular to its surface has a circular cross section
Data Source
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AI summary
A spin column device, which contains a rigid porous filter that retains its shape during centrifugation, chromatography methods using the device to isolate a desired substance, e.g., a biological molecule, from other substances in a mixture, and kits containing the device with one or more reagents for use in the method.