Micro Device Solid Phase Extraction Dam Structure

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional micro devices for solid phase extraction suffer from non-uniform fluid flow distribution due to the packing of beads, leading to differential pressure and inefficient extraction processes.

Innovation Solution

A micro device design featuring a dam-forming portion with a circular cross-section that allows solvent flow while preventing filler passage, incorporating a protruded portion for solvent passage when the dam diameter equals the dam-forming portion diameter, and a conical shape to minimize resistance, ensuring uniform fluid flow and efficient extraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dam is installed in the conventional micro device to prevent bead passage, then the filler is retained effectively, but non-uniform flow distribution is generated due to reduced flow path and differential pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiller retentionVSAvoidflow distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dam structure is changed from a planar configuration to a three-dimensional mesh cylinder structure. This dimensional transformation allows the solvent to flow through multiple pathways (both through the mesh walls and through the filler bed) while maintaining effective filler retention, thereby achieving uniform flow distribution without compromising retention reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The dam is constructed using a mesh structure with specific porosity that allows solvent passage while preventing filler bead passage. The mesh configuration provides multiple flow paths that distribute the solvent uniformly across the filler bed, resolving the contradiction between retention effectiveness and flow uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

2Volume of moving object

If the dam diameter is equal to the dam-forming portion diameter, then the structure is compact, but the solvent flow path is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidsolvent flow capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh cylinder dam is nested within the dam-forming portion such that the dam diameter is slightly smaller than the dam-forming portion diameter. This nested configuration creates an annular gap that allows solvent to flow between the dam and the dam-forming portion wall, maintaining compact device volume while ensuring adequate solvent flow capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 design achieves uniform fluid flow along the central axis, enhancing the recovery rate and reducing pretreatment time, thereby improving the efficiency of solid phase extraction.

Implementation Method 1

a dam disposed within the dam-forming portion, the dam configured to allow the solvent to flow therethrough and configured to allow the solvent to be discharged via the side surface of the dam but configured to prevent the filler from passing therethrough

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a protruded portion in which a side surface surrounding the portion where the dam is located in the dam-forming portion is further protruded so that the protruded portion is configured to allow the solvent to move between the side surface of the dam and the inner surface of the dam-forming portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through annular space:

Implementation Method 3

each of the dam-forming portion and the dam has a circular cross section with respect to a central axis of the micro device, the dam-forming portion is configured to accommodate the filler deposited onto the dam in the form of a disk that is centered with respect to the central axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadially symmetric flow:

Data Source

PatentEP3711834B1Micro device for solid phase extraction
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP3711834B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3711834B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3711834B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a micro device for solid phase extraction and more particularly provides a micro device which is configured to perform solid phase extraction by injecting a filler and a solvent and producing a uniform flow of the solvent.