Magnetic Separation Device with Dynamic Channel and Demagnetization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 for clinical applications.
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 a demagnetization mechanism to efficiently separate and dissociate cells without introducing foreign materials, enabling high flow rate separation and rapid dissociation of cells from conglomerates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional magnetic separation methods are used, then separation can be achieved, but the separation speed is slow and cell loss is high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a dynamic separation process where the channel is first positioned in a high magnetic field region for rapid cell separation, then moved to a demagnetization region for quick dissociation of cells from the conglomerate. This dynamic positioning enables fast separation speed while minimizing cell loss through optimized field transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic separation process is divided into distinct stages: separation stage in high magnetic field, demagnetization stage in low magnetic field, and dissociation stage with mechanical vibration. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, achieving both high separation speed and minimal cell loss.
2Productivity
If foreign materials are introduced for separation, then separation efficiency may improve, but sterility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates foreign materials from the separation process. Instead of using external beads or labels, it utilizes the inherent magnetic properties of superparamagnetic particles already present on target cells, combined with a label-free detection system that measures intrinsic cellular properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the self-generated magnetic signal from superparamagnetic particles on target cells for separation, and the self-generated intrinsic cellular properties (electrical, optical, magnetic) for identification, eliminating the need for external foreign materials and maintaining sterility.
3Productivity
If cells are separated into conglomerates, then separation is achieved, but dissociation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies periodic mechanical vibration to the channel during the dissociation phase, creating oscillating forces that effectively break apart cell conglomerates. This periodic action facilitates easy dissociation of cells after magnetic separation while maintaining separation efficiency.
4Productivity
If high magnetic field is applied for rapid separation, then separation speed improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field application is segmented into distinct phases: high magnetic field for brief separation, followed by low magnetic field for demagnetization. This temporal segmentation reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining rapid separation speed during the critical separation phase.
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 efficient and rapid separation of biological entities with minimal cell loss and no introduction of foreign materials, enhancing the speed and sterility of the separation process, thereby improving the clinical applicability of magnetic separation techniques.
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. With sufficient strength, the physical force working through the SPLs 2 on cell 10 may be used to separate and physically remove cell 10 from its liquid solution.
Implementation Method 2
OFLs 3 are conjugated with probes 22, which specifically bind to the surface markers 12 of cell 1. After incubation processes 9, a plurality of OFLs 3 are bound to cell 1 surface with probes 22 selectively bound to surface markers 12 with specificity. Thus, cells 1 is optically identified or labeled by OFLs 3, i.e. optically labeled cell 20. By using an optical based cell separation system, cell 1 may be separated from its liquid solution based on the optical signal that OFL 3 produces under an excitation light.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
The current invention generally relates to apparatus and method for analyzing and separating 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, the biological entities based on optical signals received from said entities by using optical detectors. The claimed apparatus and method further separate the biological entities using micro-actuator activated sorting devices.