Magnetic Aggregating Washing Device for In Vitro Assays
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-throughput in vitro assays face challenges in efficiently isolating molecules of interest due to the presence of undesirable components, which often results in reduced yield as current washing methods can wash away both the molecule of interest and unwanted substances.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a magnetic structure with a microtiter plate that rotates to create relative centrifugal forces, allowing magnetic beads to aggregate and be washed efficiently, thereby separating the molecule of interest from unwanted substances while minimizing loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional washing procedures are used to remove undesirable components, then purity of the sample is improved, but yield of the molecule of interest is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Magnetic beads serve as an intermediary carrier that specifically binds to the molecule of interest through magnetic coupling. This allows the molecule to be selectively captured on the magnetic beads while remaining separate from the undesirable components in the wash solution, enabling purification without loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical washing procedures with a magnetic field-based separation system. By using magnetic fields to control the movement and separation of magnetic beads carrying the molecule of interest, the system achieves more precise separation that preserves yield while improving purity
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple washing steps are performed to remove undesirable substances, then purity is improved, but the complexity of the process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple washing steps into a single integrated magnetic separation process. By using magnetic beads that can be selectively bound and released through magnetic field control, the system merges what would traditionally require multiple separate washing operations into one streamlined procedure, reducing overall process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic control of magnetic fields to selectively bind and release magnetic beads at different stages of the process. This dynamic magnetic control allows for flexible, adaptive separation that can handle varying sample compositions without requiring fixed multiple washing steps, simplifying the overall process
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 achieves a high recovery yield of molecules of interest, with up to 80% recovery after multiple washing and aggregation steps, improving the efficiency of sample processing in high-throughput assays.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic structure configured to hold a microtiter plate where the microtiter plate is configured to sit on top of the magnetic structure
Implementation Method 2
operation of the motor causes the microtiter plate and the magnetic structure to move together, wherein the movement produces a relative centrifugal force on the microtiter plate
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are magnetic aggregating and washing devices. Further provided herein are methods using magnetic aggregation to aggregate and wash sample molecules in an in vitro assay.