Microbubble Flotation for Cell Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating cells from animal blood and tissue solutions, such as centrifugation and magnetic force techniques, are costly and require specialized equipment and expertise, limiting their application to laboratory settings and preventing widespread clinical and consumer use.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing microbubbles with selection markers for cell isolation, where microbubbles are used to float cells in a liquid, allowing for their separation without the need for centrifugal or magnetic forces, using a manually operated or automated apparatus that can be used in various settings, including non-laboratory environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centrifugal force or magnetic force is used for cell isolation, then isolation effectiveness is improved, but equipment cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical systems (centrifuges, magnetic force applicators) with a simple flotation-based system using microbubbles. Cells are isolated by attaching microbubbles to target cells and allowing them to float to the surface, eliminating the need for expensive centrifugal or magnetic equipment while maintaining isolation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces microbubbles as an intermediary substance between the sample and the isolation mechanism. The microbubbles attach to target cells via selection markers and serve as buoyancy carriers, enabling simple gravitational separation instead of requiring complex force application equipment.
2Reliability
If centrifugal force or magnetic force equipment is used, then cell isolation capability is improved, but operational expertise requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flotation-based system is designed to be self-service in nature, requiring minimal operator intervention or expertise. The microbubbles naturally float to the surface carrying attached cells, and the system automatically separates target cells from the sample without requiring the operator to understand or control complex physical forces.
3Manufacturing precision
If centrifugal force or magnetic force methods are used, then isolation precision is improved, but cost efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable microbubbles as the isolation mechanism instead of expensive, reusable equipment like centrifuges. The microbubbles are inexpensive to produce, can be discarded after single use, and eliminate the need for costly equipment purchases, maintenance, and operational expenses while maintaining isolation precision through selective marker attachment.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective isolation of cells, including rare cell types, without the need for expensive equipment or specialized training, making it suitable for clinical and consumer applications, and allows for the isolation of various biological agents beyond cells.
Implementation Method 1
Microbubbles are bubbles less than can be less than a millimeter in diameter to greater than a micrometer in diameter. Microbubbles can be filled inside with a gas, such as air or perfluorocarbon. Adjacent to cells or other biological agents or non-biological agents, microbubbles can cause those agents to float in a liquid.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Systems and devices for the isolation of biological agents that are infused in a solution causing those agents to float. These systems and devices have numerous research, diagnostic, clinical, consumer, and other applications. An aspect of the disclosure provides for an apparatus for isolation or enrichment of biological agents from a sample comprising: a sample container comprising an inner volume to hold a sample and a plurality of micro bubbles, a tapered end and an open end, a plunger inserted into the open end and a tip of the tapered end forming an acute angle relative to the horizontal axis of the sample container, wherein the plurality of micro bubbles float one or more biological agents of the sample and wherein the plunger moves towards the tip to isolate or enrich the one or more biological agents from the sample.