Magnetic Picker for Target Analyte Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting and isolating target analytes, such as circulating tumor cells, from blood samples are inefficient and costly due to the low numbers of these cells in a vast background of other cells, making it difficult to accurately extract and analyze them.
Innovation Solution
A device and system that uses a picker with a magnetic gradient and pressure gradient to extract target analytes from a sample, employing a picker with a hollow tube, light source, and a cannula with a fluorescent tip to attract and isolate the analytes using suction or pressure, allowing for precise manipulation and isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional techniques (smearing and staining) are used to analyze blood samples, then the process is simple and inexpensive, but the ability to detect and isolate target analytes (such as CTCs) is extremely limited and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical smearing and staining techniques with a magnetic picker system that uses magnetic fields to detect, manipulate, and isolate target analytes. The picker applies magnetic force to magnetically-labeled target cells (such as CTCs) to extract them from the blood sample, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual smearing and staining procedures while significantly improving detection accuracy and isolation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic particles as an intermediary mediator that binds to target analytes (such as CTCs) in the blood sample. These magnetically-labeled targets can then be detected and manipulated by the magnetic picker, enabling efficient isolation and analysis of rare cells that would otherwise be impossible to detect using conventional techniques
2Productivity
If manual separation and isolation techniques are used for target analytes, then the equipment is simple, but the process is extremely time consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical separation techniques with an automated magnetic picker system that uses magnetic fields for detection and manipulation. The system automatically detects magnetically-labeled target analytes, positions the picker tip using imaging guidance, applies magnetic force for isolation, and transfers cells to analysis chambers, dramatically improving isolation efficiency while reducing manual labor and operational time
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic picker system performs multiple functions within a single device: it detects target analytes using magnetic signals, manipulates their position using magnetic force, isolates them from the sample, and transfers them to analysis chambers. This multi-functional integration improves productivity while managing device complexity through unified design
3Measurement precision
If conventional staining and microscopy are used to examine blood samples, then the method is straightforward, but detecting very low numbers of target cells (such as 1 CTC in 50 billion blood cells) is extremely difficult if not impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnetic particles as an intermediary that binds specifically to target analytes (such as CTCs) in the blood sample. This magnetic labeling provides a detectable signal that dramatically enhances detection sensitivity, enabling the system to identify and isolate even single target cells among billions of background blood cells that would be undetectable using conventional staining and microscopy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces optical detection methods (staining and microscopy) with magnetic detection and manipulation. The magnetic picker detects magnetically-labeled target cells through magnetic field sensing and manipulates them using magnetic force, providing superior detection sensitivity and isolation capability for rare cells compared to conventional optical methods
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
Enables efficient and accurate detection and isolation of target analytes, reducing the time and cost associated with existing techniques by providing a high-resolution system for manipulating and extracting cells from complex suspensions.
Implementation Method 1
A picker introduces at least one force, such as by a magnetic gradient and/or by a pressure gradient, to extract the target analyte from a sample
Implementation Method 2
A picker introduces at least one force, such as by a magnetic gradient and/or by a pressure gradient, to extract the target analyte from a sample
Implementation Method 3
employing a picker with a hollow tube, light source, and a cannula with a fluorescent tip to attract and isolate the analytes using suction or pressure
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure is directed to a device and a system for picking a target analyte of a suspension. A picker introduces at least one force, such as by a magnetic gradient and/or by a pressure gradient, to extract the target analyte from a sample.