Microchip Vacuum Suction for Particulate Fractional Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for particulate fractional collection, such as flow cytometry, face challenges including damage to biological materials, inefficiency in high-speed and high-precision detection, and dilution of sample liquids due to large sheath liquid volumes, as well as complications in apparatus size and structure.
Innovation Solution
A microchip design featuring a sample liquid feed channel, sheath liquid feed channels, a merging channel, and a vacuum suction unit with a pressure chamber and actuator, allowing for precise collection of particulates without physical stress, minimizing dilution, and maintaining apparatus stability and simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flow cytometry with charged droplet method is used for particulate fractional collection, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into independent functional modules: a microchip containing integrated channels and chambers for sample processing, a separate detection unit for optical measurement, and a control unit for coordinating operations. This modular segmentation allows precise detection functionality while simplifying the overall device structure and reducing size compared to traditional integrated flow cytometers.
2Measurement precision
If charged droplet method is used for fractional collection, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases due to satellite droplet generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the droplet formation mechanism from the system, using continuous liquid flow instead. This removes the source of satellite droplet generation entirely, preventing loss of particulates while maintaining precise detection and collection capabilities through the integrated microchannel system.
3Productivity
If conventional fractional collection apparatus is used, then collection capability is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to frequent readjustment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The microchip is designed with self-aligning features where channels and chambers automatically position themselves relative to each other through the flow dynamics and geometric constraints of the microfluidic system. This eliminates the need for frequent manual readjustment by skilled workers, making the system easier to operate while maintaining collection capability.
4Manufacturing precision
If droplet formation system is used for fractionation, then collection precision is improved, but reliability decreases due to sensitivity to liquid physical properties
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating parameters from droplet-based discrete flow to continuous laminar flow in microchannels. This parameter change makes the system insensitive to variations in surface tension and viscosity, improving reliability while maintaining collection precision through the stable and predictable nature of laminar flow dynamics.
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 high-speed, high-stability fractional collection of particulates with minimal dilution and reduced risk of damage, while maintaining a compact and efficient apparatus design.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum suction unit connected to the merging channel, for drawing the particulate subject to collection
Implementation Method 2
an actuator which operates only during collecting the particulate so as to increase the volume of the pressure chamber by a certain amount
Data Source
AI summary
A microchip includes a sample liquid feed channel permitting a sample liquid containing particulates to flow through, at least one pair of sheath liquid feed channels configured to merge to the sample liquid feed channel from both sides thereof for permitting a sheath liquid to flow through surrounding the sample liquid, a merging channel connected to the sample liquid feed channel and the one pair of the sheath liquid feed channels for permitting the sample liquid and the sheath liquid to merge and flow through the merging channel, a vacuum suction unit for drawing into the particulate subject to collection, connected to the merging channel, and at least one pair of discharge channels formed on both sides of the vacuum suction unit for permitting to flow through from the merging channel.