Magnetic Sifter With Slit Substrates for High-Flow Biomolecule Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current magnetic sorting devices for biomolecules are large, have low capture rates, low flow rates, and cumbersome release methods, making them unsuitable for efficient sample preparation in biomedical applications.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic sifter with a substrate containing slits and soft magnetic magnets, controlled by an electromagnetic source, allowing for high flow rates and capture rates, and enabling easy release of captured biomolecules by rotating the magnetic field direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional magnetic sorters are used to capture biomolecules, then biomolecule capture is achieved, but the devices are large in size and have low flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar two-dimensional magnetic sorting to three-dimensional vertical sorting through stacked substrates with slits. The magnetic fields are applied perpendicular to the substrate plane, enabling biomolecules to be captured and sorted in the vertical dimension. This dimensional change increases the effective sorting area without proportionally increasing device footprint, thereby achieving higher flow rates in a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into multiple stacked substrates, each containing arrays of slits and magnets. This segmentation allows parallel processing of sample streams through multiple layers simultaneously. Each substrate layer contributes to the overall capture capacity, enabling high flow rates while maintaining a compact stacked configuration rather than requiring a single large planar device.
2Productivity
If conventional magnetic sorters are used to capture biomolecules, then capture is achieved, but capture rates are low
Solution Approach 1:
Magnetic magnets are positioned locally at specific positions relative to the slits in each substrate, creating localized magnetic field gradients precisely where biomolecule capture is needed. This localized magnetic field generation maximizes capture efficiency at each slit opening without requiring uniform magnetic fields across the entire device, thereby achieving high capture rates with moderate structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition to three-dimensional vertical sorting through stacked substrates with perpendicular magnetic fields dramatically increases the effective capture surface area. Multiple layers of slits and magnets process sample in parallel, multiplying the capture rate without proportionally increasing the complexity of individual components. The stacked configuration allows scalable enhancement of capture capacity.
3Ease of operation
If conventional magnetic sorters are used, then biomolecule capture is achieved, but the release method is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field configuration is made dynamic and reversible. By adjusting the direction and magnitude of applied magnetic fields to the stacked magnets, captured biomolecules can be easily released from the slits. The system transitions between capture mode (magnetic field oriented for retention) and release mode (magnetic field reoriented to minimize retention), enabling simple operational control without complex mechanical release mechanisms and maintaining high operational efficiency.
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 sifter effectively captures biomolecules while allowing impurities to pass through, achieving high capture yields and efficient sample preparation, with the ability to recycle samples and use multiple devices for nearly 100% capture, and easy release of captured probes for further analysis.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic source for controlling the magnitude and direction of magnetic field gradient generated by the magnets
Implementation Method 2
magnetic probes attached to a biomolecule of interest sticks to the magnet, allowing impurities to pass through
Implementation Method 3
the capture probes may be released by rotating the direction of the applied magnetic field by 90 degrees. This serves to reduce the magnitude of the magnetic field gradient
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a magnetic sifter that is small in scale, enables three-dimensional flow in a direction normal to the substrate, allows relatively higher capture rates and higher flow rates, and provides a relatively easy method of releasing captured biomolecules. The magnetic sifter includes at least one substrate. Each substrate contains a plurality of slits, each of which extends through the substrate. The sifter also includes a plurality of magnets attached to the bottom surface of the substrate. These magnets are located proximal to the openings of the slits. An electromagnetic source controls the magnitude and direction of magnetic field gradient generated by the magnets. Either one device may be used, or multiple devices may be used in series. In addition, the magnetic sifter may be used in connection with a detection chamber.