Magnetic Mixing Chamber Layout for Automated Sample Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting or purifying target biological substances, such as plasmids, face challenges in mixing efficiency of reagents and conjugation efficiency of magnetic beads, which affect the overall effectiveness of the extraction or purification process.
Innovation Solution
A processing device equipped with a magnetic attraction and mixing mechanism, including a mixing assembly and a magnetic assembly, is used to enhance the mixing and magnetic attraction of samples within a processing box, featuring two sets of processing chambers to improve the efficiency of extraction and purification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual mixing and magnetic bead conjugation methods are used, then device complexity is low, but mixing efficiency and conjugation efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mixing function and magnetic attraction function into a single integrated processing device. The mixing assembly and magnetic assembly are integrated within the same processing box, allowing both mixing and magnetic bead conjugation to occur in the same chamber without requiring separate devices or manual transfer steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mixing through the mixing assembly, magnetic attraction through the magnetic assembly, and contains processing chambers for both operations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate manual operations while improving efficiency.
2Extent of automation
If traditional extraction methods are used, then processing time is long and workload is high, but automation level is low
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service automation where the mixing assembly automatically mixes reagents and samples, the magnetic assembly automatically performs magnetic attraction for bead conjugation, and the processing chambers automatically contain and manage the extraction process. This reduces manual intervention while maintaining operational control.
3Productivity
If single processing chamber design is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but processing capacity and efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The processing box is divided into two distinct processing chambers: a first processing chamber for initial processing steps and a second processing chamber for subsequent steps. This segmentation allows parallel or sequential processing of multiple samples or different stages of the extraction process, thereby increasing overall processing capacity.
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 device enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of extracting and purifying target biological substances by improving mixing and magnetic attraction, reducing workload and shortening processing time, while ensuring high consistency and automation in operations.
Implementation Method 1
adding magnetic beads to the sample, such that the magnetic beads are conjugated to impurities or the target biological substance, in order to separate the impurities or the target biological substance from the solution
Implementation Method 2
The mixing efficiency of the reagents and the sample, and the conjugation efficiency of the magnetic beads and the impurities or the target biological substance will affect the effectiveness of extraction or purification
Data Source
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AI summary
A processing device for a sample, the processing device including: a magnetic attraction and mixing mechanism, including a mixing assembly and a magnetic assembly for respectively performing mixing and magnetic attraction on the sample; and a processing box, including two sets of processing chambers spaced apart from each other. One of the two sets of processing chambers is configured to process the sample at the same moment.