Magnetic Separation of Plasma Using Lateral Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for blood-plasma separation, such as centrifuges and passive filtration membranes, are either too complex for CLIA-waived environments or suffer from inconsistencies and low recovery rates, limiting their effectiveness for point-of-need diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
A device and system for magnetic separation of biological entities from fluid samples, utilizing a magnetic separation chamber with two opposing magnets and a linear actuator to move the chamber laterally, ensuring the magnets remain aligned with the fluid sample. This system includes functionalized magnetic beads and an aggregation agent to capture and separate target biological entities, such as red blood cells, from plasma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If centrifuges are used for blood-plasma separation, then separation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases making them unsuitable for CLIA-waived environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical centrifugal separation system with a magnetic field-based separation system. Magnetic beads functionalized with aggregation agents are used to capture red blood cells, and a magnetic separation chamber with opposing magnets separates the bound cells from plasma without requiring mechanical centrifugation, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining separation accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic beads as an intermediary substance that functionalizes with aggregation agents to capture red blood cells. These beads serve as a mediator between the magnetic field and the biological cells, enabling separation through magnetic attraction rather than mechanical force, thereby simplifying the overall separation system
2Ease of operation
If passive filtration membranes are used for plasma separation, then ease of operation is improved, but separation consistency deteriorates due to clogged pores
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive mechanical filtration membrane system with an active magnetic field-based separation system. Instead of relying on capillary action and physical pore filtration that clog over time, the system uses magnetic attraction to selectively capture red blood cells on functionalized beads, achieving consistent separation without pore clogging issues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation mechanism from passive physical filtration to active magnetic field interaction. By altering the physical principle from mechanical filtering to magnetic attraction, the system maintains operational simplicity while achieving reliable, consistent separation that is not affected by pore clogging
3Ease of manufacture
If passive filtration membranes are used for plasma separation, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but plasma recovery rate deteriorates to less than 30%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive filtration with magnetic field-based separation using functionalized magnetic beads. This substitution enables high plasma recovery rates by selectively capturing only red blood cells through magnetic attraction, allowing nearly complete plasma recovery without the losses inherent in filtration membrane methods
4Measurement precision
If microfluidic approaches are used for cell separation, then separation precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex microfluidic fabrication architecture and replaces it with a simplified magnetic separation chamber. The essential separation function is maintained by using magnetic beads and opposing magnets, while removing the intricate microfluidic channels and complex fabrication requirements, thus reducing device complexity
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 magnetic separation system achieves high purity (>99.9%) and efficiency in separating plasma from blood samples within minutes, overcoming the limitations of existing technologies and facilitating decentralization of blood testing services.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic separation of biological entities from fluid samples
Implementation Method 2
two magnets mounted on opposing sidewalls
Implementation Method 3
actuator comprises a linear actuator configured to move the magnetic separation chamber laterally
Implementation Method 4
magnetic separation chamber configured to receive and maintain the fluid sample at a position between the two magnets
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, devices, systems, and methods for use in the magnetic separation of biological entities from fluid samples. This device includes a magnetic separation chamber configured to receive a fluid sample for magnetic separation, where the magnetic separation chamber includes at least two magnets mounted on the surface or in the wall of the magnetic separation chamber. The device also includes a force provider configured to move the magnetic separation chamber in a side-to-side motion to mix and/or magnetize the fluid sample. In one embodiment, the magnetic separation chamber is in a form of a sleeve and comprises a substantially central channel for loading a vessel containing the fluid sample therein. The systems and methods of the present disclosure involve the use of this device to separate biological entities from fluid samples.