Magnetophoretic Biological Component Quantification Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for quantifying biological components in fluids, such as blood or urine, using magnetophoretic separation and impedimetric detection are complex and unsuitable for non-specialist use, requiring microfluidic systems that increase system complexity and are difficult to apply in resource-limited settings, especially for diagnosing conditions like malaria.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that employs magnetophoretic separation and impedimetric detection using a measurement cell with ferromagnetic concentrators and modulated magnetic fields to concentrate and quantify biological components, allowing for simpler operation and potential use in resource-limited settings by varying the magnetic field and cell inclination to enhance capture efficiency and discrimination between components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If microfluidic systems are used for magnetophoretic separation and concentration, then separation efficiency and concentration capability are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex microfluidic system and replaces it with a simplified magnetophoretic separation chamber that uses magnetic field gradients alone for separation and concentration. This removes unnecessary microfluidic components while maintaining separation efficiency through direct magnetic manipulation of particles in a larger volume chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical microfluidic flow control system with a magnetic field-based system. Instead of using pumps, valves, and complex channel geometries to control fluid flow and particle separation, the invention uses modulated magnetic fields to achieve separation and concentration, significantly simplifying the device architecture.
2Quantity of substance
If microfluidic systems are used for magnetophoretic separation, then concentration capability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the magnetic field automatically concentrates particles at the detection electrodes without requiring external manipulation. The system performs separation, concentration, and detection in a single automated process, eliminating the need for users to manually operate complex microfluidic systems or interpret complex results.
3Device complexity
If magnetophoretic separation is performed without microfluidic systems, then device complexity is reduced, but separation efficiency and concentration capability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the magnetic field parameters (strength, gradient, and temporal modulation) to achieve effective separation and concentration in a simplified system. By optimizing the magnetic field gradient and using pulsed field sequences, the system achieves concentration capabilities comparable to microfluidic systems while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Measurement precision
If the magnetic field is strongly modulated to enhance capture efficiency, then quantification sensitivity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic modulation of the magnetic field to achieve particle capture and release cycles. The field is alternated between strong attractor modes for capture/concentration and weaker modes for release, enabling repeated measurement cycles. This periodic action maintains high sensitivity while managing energy consumption through controlled field strength variations rather than continuous high-energy application.
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 apparatus achieves effective concentration and quantification of biological components with a lower concentration limit of tens of components per microliter, improving sensitivity and allowing early diagnosis of conditions like malaria with adequate sensitivity and simplicity for use in resource-limited areas.
Implementation Method 1
magnetophoretic separation and concentration of the components of interest from the rest of the sample
Implementation Method 2
impedimetric detection of the quantity of these components
Implementation Method 3
employing magnetophoretic separation and impedimetric detection using a measurement cell with ferromagnetic concentrators and modulated magnetic fields
Implementation Method 4
varying the magnetic field and cell inclination to enhance capture efficiency and discrimination between components
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
Apparatus (100) for the quantification of biological components (3, 3', 3'') in a fluid comprising: a measurement cell (1) comprising detection electrodes (4, 4', 5, 5', 6, 6', 34, 34', 84, 84', 94, 94', 184, 184', 194, 194') and reference electrodes (7, 7,' 8, 8', 9, 9', 37, 37', 64, 64', 74, 74', 164, 164', 174'); an electronic unit (201) for the generation of input signals, impedimetric measurement, amplification of output signals and communication with a user interface; means for the generation of a magnetic field (101, 102, 103) with an appropriate gradient that can be modulated in time, said means of magnetisation being configured to generate a magnetic field capable of causing, in combination with concentrators (10, 10', 10'', 14, 14', 14', 15) housed in the measurement cell, the separation of the components (3, 3', 3'') to be quantified from the rest of the solution and their concentration on the detection electrodes (4, 4', 5, 5', 6, 6', 34, 34', 84, 84', 94, 94', 184, 184', 194, 194').