Magnetic Separation Device with C-Shape Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for magnetic separation of biological entities from fluid solutions face limitations such as slow separation speed, high cell loss, introduction of foreign materials, and difficulty in dissociating cells from conglomerates, which hinder efficient and sterile separation processes.
Innovation Solution
The development of a magnetic separation device with a 'C' shape rigid channel and flexible channel designs that utilize soft magnetic poles and permanent magnets to create a high magnetic field and field gradient, combined with demagnetization techniques using additional magnets and mechanical vibrations to enhance separation efficiency and minimize cell loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional magnetic separation methods are used, then biological entities can be separated from fluid solutions, but the separation speed is slow and cell loss is high
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process is divided into distinct stages: first, superparamagnetic particles bind to target cells during flow; second, a magnetic field gradient is applied to separate magnetically labeled cells from non-labeled cells; third, the magnetic field is removed to allow dissociation of cells from particle conglomerates. This segmentation enables rapid separation while minimizing cell loss through controlled timing of magnetic field application.
Solution Approach 2:
Superparamagnetic particles are pre-bound to target cells during the flow phase before magnetic separation occurs. This preliminary labeling action ensures that only target cells are magnetically affected during separation, improving both speed and specificity while reducing non-specific cell loss.
2Reliability
If foreign materials are introduced for magnetic separation, then separation can be achieved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The method uses superparamagnetic particles that are discarded after binding to target cells during flow, and then recovered after separation when the magnetic field is removed. This allows effective magnetic separation without permanent introduction of foreign materials into the final cell preparation, reducing contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic separation function is extracted from the flow process itself. Superparamagnetic particles perform the magnetic separation role temporarily during flow, then are removed after separation completes, leaving no permanent foreign material in the separated cell populations.
3Productivity
If magnetic field strength is increased for faster separation, then separation speed improves, but cell damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field is applied periodically: strong magnetic field gradients are applied during separation to achieve fast separation, then the field is removed or reduced to allow gentle dissociation of cells from magnetic particle conglomerates. This periodic action enables high-speed separation without sustained exposure to damaging magnetic forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field parameters are dynamically changed during the process: high field gradients are used during separation, then field strength is reduced or removed during dissociation. This parameter change allows optimization of both separation speed and cell integrity at different stages.
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
This approach allows for high flow rate magnetic separation without foreign materials, achieving efficient and rapid separation of biological entities while ensuring minimal cell loss and facilitating easy dissociation from conglomerates, thus improving the overall separation process.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic field with sufficient field gradient may be applied to cell 10 to produce a physical force on the SPLs 2 attached to the cells 10 surface
Implementation Method 2
separating a specific type of white blood cells from human blood, typically involves a first step of identifying the target biological entities with specificity... SPLs 2 are conjugated with surface antibodies or ligands, also referred to as 'probe'21, which specifically bind to the surface markers 11 of cell 1
Implementation Method 3
OFLs 3 are conjugated with probes 22, which specifically bind to the surface markers 12 of cell 1... OFL 3 is excited by first wavelength and radiates optical light at a second wavelength
Implementation Method 4
demagnetization techniques using additional magnets and mechanical vibrations to enhance separation efficiency and minimize cell loss
Data Source
AI summary
The current invention generally relates to apparatus and method to analyze and separate biological entities, including cells, bacteria and molecules from human blood, body tissue, body fluid and other human related biological samples. The claimed apparatus and method analyze, or detect, biological entities based on optical signals received from said entities by using optical detectors. The claimed apparatus and method further separate biological entities with using micro-actuator activated sorting devices.