Inductive Filter Mesh Heating for Localized Cell Lysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for lysing cells in a sample are inefficient, often requiring external heating elements that increase device complexity and cost, and can be detrimental to plastic consumables due to slow heat transfer, while enzymatic methods may not effectively lyse hard cells and increase sample volume.
Innovation Solution
The use of induction heating with a conductive mesh adjacent to a filter membrane to generate localized heat for lysing cells, eliminating the need for internal heating elements and allowing for efficient heat application without electrical contacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external heating elements are used to lyse cells, then cell lysis is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heating element from the filter chamber, extracting the source of complexity. Instead of having an internal heating element that requires electrical contacts and integration within the chamber, the system uses an external induction coil that magnetically induces heating in a conductive mesh placed against the filter membrane, achieving cell lysis without internal heating components
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive mesh acts as an intermediary between the external induction coil and the cells on the filter membrane. The mesh converts electromagnetic energy from the induction coil into localized heat at the filter surface, enabling indirect heating that avoids the need for direct electrical contacts within the filter chamber
2Reliability
If external heating elements are used to lyse cells, then cell lysis is achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the heating element from the filter chamber and using external induction heating, the patent eliminates the need for expensive internal heating components, electrical contacts, and complex integration, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining cell lysis effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive mesh can be designed as a disposable component integrated with the filter, eliminating the need for expensive, reusable internal heating elements. The mesh performs the heating function once and can be discarded with the filter cartridge, reducing overall system cost
3Reliability
If heat is applied to plastic consumables, then cell lysis is achieved, but heat transfer is slow and plastic integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive mesh creates a localized heating zone directly at the filter membrane surface where cells are retained. This localized heating achieves high temperatures rapidly at the cell location without requiring bulk heating of the entire plastic consumable, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency and protecting plastic integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive mesh serves as a thermal intermediary that concentrates electromagnetic energy into localized heat at the filter surface. This intermediary approach enables rapid heating of only the necessary area (where cells are located) rather than heating the entire plastic consumable, improving thermal efficiency
4Reliability
If enzymatic methods are used to lyse cells, then cell lysis is achieved, but sample volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical/enzymatic lysis methods with physical induction heating. By using electromagnetic induction to generate localized heat, the system achieves cell lysis without adding enzymatic or chemical liquids, thereby maintaining concentrated sample volume and avoiding dilution
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 method enables localized and efficient cell lysis without increasing sample volume, maintaining the integrity of plastic consumables, and reducing device complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
Devices, systems, and methods described herein employ induction heating to generate localized heat to lyse cells retained on a filter. Induction heating is generated by bringing into proximity of the device alternating electromagnetic fields by means of a coil situated outside the filter chamber.
Implementation Method 2
Induction heating is generated by bringing into proximity of the device alternating electromagnetic fields by means of a coil situated outside the filter chamber.
Implementation Method 3
A conductive mesh is assembled in close contact with a porous filter membrane into an integrated filter chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for heating abiological sample includes, or employs, a housing defining a filter chamber with a fluid inlet and outlet and a filter assembly within the chamber. The filter assembly includes filter media and a conductive mesh and fluid sample flowing through the chamber passes through both the filter media and the mesh. The conductive mesh is inductively heated by an induction coil disposed outside the chamber adjacent to a wall of the housing. The filter chamber may be part of a fluid cartridge including one or more chambers for containing fluid sample and other process fluids or functional connections for connecting external receptacles containing fluid sample and other process fluids. A fluid flow network includes fluid channels and flow control valves for selectively controlling fluid flow within the cartridge and through the filter assembly within the chamber.