Magnetic Manipulation for Rare Cell Detection in Bioflows
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current in vivo flow cytometry techniques face challenges in detecting rare cells such as stem CTCs due to limited sensitivity, as existing methods can only process small sample volumes and require extended time to detect cells passing through the area of interest, making it difficult to reliably detect circulating stem CTCs at low concentrations.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing an external magnetic field to manipulate and enrich magnetic target objects within a moving biofluid, allowing for the detection of rare cells by situating a magnet near the area of interest to alter the movement of magnetic target objects, which can be labeled with nanoparticles or contrast agents, enhancing detection sensitivity through enrichment, sorting, and immobilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If in vivo flow cytometry is used to detect rare cells in circulating biofluid, then the entire blood volume can be processed, but the detection time becomes excessively long due to low cell concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using magnetic fields to enrich and concentrate target cells in the blood sample before detection. The magnetic beads bind to target cells and are concentrated in a predetermined detection region using magnetic fields, so that when the entire blood volume is processed, the enriched target cells are already positioned and concentrated for rapid detection, dramatically reducing detection time while maintaining the ability to process full blood volume.
2Measurement precision
If the area of interest is kept small for precise detection, then measurement precision is improved, but the number of target cells passing through per unit time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a localized region of high magnetic field gradient at a specific detection site within the blood vessel. This concentrates target cells bound to magnetic beads into a small focal volume, providing high measurement precision for individual cell detection while the magnetic field can be positioned to capture cells from a larger upstream blood volume, maintaining high productivity.
3Measurement precision
If magnetic fields are used to enrich target cells, then detection sensitivity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional magnetic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnetic beads as an intermediary between the magnetic field and target cells. The magnetic beads bind specifically to target cells and serve as magnetic handles, allowing the magnetic field to enrich and concentrate target cells without requiring direct magnetic manipulation of the cells themselves. This simplifies the magnetic field system design while achieving high detection sensitivity.
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
Significantly increases the detection sensitivity and speed of rare cells, enabling earlier detection and treatment of diseases related to circulating stem CTCs by concentrating and immobilizing target cells within the area of interest, thereby overcoming the limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one magnet may produce a magnetic field that manipulates the magnetic target object within the area of interest
Implementation Method 2
By using an external magnetic field to manipulate magnetic target objects, the magnetic target objects may be enriched, sorted, separated, captured, and/or immobilized as they are carried into the area of interest by the moving biofluid
Data Source
AI summary
A device and methods for the non-invasive manipulation and detection of target objects such as cells, pathogens, microparticles, and nanoparticles in vivo using an external magnetic field are described. In one aspect, a device and method for capturing and detecting intrinsically magnetic target objects or target objects labeled with at least one magnetic particle within the area of interest using an in vivo flow cytometer are described.