Magnetic Cell Separation Apparatus Preventing Channel Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell separation methods using fine fluid channels are inefficient, making it difficult to effectively extract target cells from cell solutions in microfluidic devices, which is crucial for biochemical analysis and diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a magnetic field to selectively separate target cells by generating a controlled magnetic field within a separation channel, preventing blockages and enabling the extraction of effective cells while allowing non-effective cells to be discharged, using a flow path casing, separation portion, and magnetic field control portion with ferromagnetic materials and electromagnets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fine fluid channel is used for cell separation, then the device structure is simple, but the cell separation performance is unsatisfactory and effective cells block the separation channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical filtration approach (fine fluid channel) with a magnetic field-based separation system. The magnetic field control portion generates a magnetic field that interacts with magnetically-labeled effective cells, providing active control over cell separation rather than relying solely on passive mechanical filtering, thereby preventing channel blockage while maintaining separation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation mechanism from mechanical size-based filtering to magnetic field-based manipulation. By introducing magnetic field strength as a controllable parameter, the system can selectively manipulate effective cells without being blocked by them, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and effective separation performance
2Reliability
If a magnetic field is generated to separate effective cells, then the cell separation performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the magnetic field generation function directly into the flow path casing by integrating the magnetic field control portion (electromagnet) with the structural components. This integration allows the device to achieve sophisticated magnetic separation capabilities without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as the magnetic field generation is combined with existing structural elements
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field control portion serves multiple functions: it generates the magnetic field for cell separation, prevents effective cells from blocking the separation channel, and can be controlled to operate only when needed. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing versatile control over the separation process
3Manufacturing precision
If the separation channel width is gradually narrowed, then the separation precision is improved, but the effective cells are more likely to block the channel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical size-based separation (narrowing channel width) with magnetic field-based manipulation. The magnetic field provides the separation mechanism, allowing the channel to maintain a width that prevents blockage while still achieving high separation precision through magnetic control of effective cells
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 apparatus effectively prevents target cells from blocking the separation channel and enables efficient extraction of effective cells by generating a controlled magnetic field, improving the separation process and maintaining channel integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field control portion forming the magnetic field in the flow path portion to separate the effective cell blocking the separation channel from the separation channel
Implementation Method 2
The lower substrate may be formed by curing a mixed solution of a polymer resin and a ferromagnetic particle
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an apparatus for self-extracting a cell using a magnetic field. The apparatus for self-extracting the cell using the magnetic field according to the present invention includes a flow path casing including an upper substrate and a lower substrate having a magnetic property combined with each other, and a fluid path formed to fluidize a cell solution therein; a separation portion disposed on the fluid path and provided with a separation channel selectively passing only an effective cell that is a separation target in the cell included in the cell solution therethrough; and a magnetic field control portion forming the magnetic field in the flow path portion to separate the cell blocking the separation channel from the separation channel.