Microfluidic Cell Isolation With Pressure and Acoustic Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing particle isolation methods face challenges with precision, reproducibility, and contamination issues due to manual skill requirements and inefficient sample handling in current devices.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic system with a separation unit comprising a main chamber and a recovery chamber, equipped with valves and a vibration device to enhance particle separation and recovery, utilizing a carrier liquid and pressure control to achieve selective particle isolation with reduced contamination and increased reproducibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual pipetting is used for sample introduction and particle recovery, then operator flexibility is maintained, but precision and reproducibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical pipetting operations with an automated microfluidic system that uses pressure-controlled fluid flow to introduce samples and recover particles. The microfluidic device incorporates inlet and outlet orifices connected to chambers, enabling automated sample introduction and particle recovery without manual intervention, thereby improving precision and reproducibility while eliminating dependence on operator skill
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic system is designed to perform sample introduction and particle recovery operations autonomously through pressure-driven fluid flow. The device self-regulates the movement of fluids and particles through its chamber and orifice structure, eliminating the need for operator manipulation and ensuring consistent, reproducible results
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual operations are performed for particle isolation, then device complexity is reduced, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated microfluidic system that uses pressure-controlled fluid flow to introduce samples and recover particles. The microfluidic device incorporates inlet and outlet orifices connected to chambers, enabling automated sample introduction and particle recovery without manual intervention, thereby improving precision and reproducibility while eliminating dependence on operator skill
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic system is designed to perform sample introduction and particle recovery operations autonomously through pressure-driven fluid flow. The device self-regulates the movement of fluids and particles through its chamber and orifice structure, eliminating the need for operator manipulation and ensuring consistent, reproducible results
3Reliability
If automated microfluidic system is used, then precision and reproducibility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical pipetting operations with an automated microfluidic system that uses pressure-controlled fluid flow to introduce samples and recover particles. The microfluidic device incorporates inlet and outlet orifices connected to chambers, enabling automated sample introduction and particle recovery without manual intervention, thereby improving precision and reproducibility while eliminating dependence on operator skill
Solution Approach 2:
The microfluidic system is designed to perform sample introduction and particle recovery operations autonomously through pressure-driven fluid flow. The device self-regulates the movement of fluids and particles through its chamber and orifice structure, eliminating the need for operator manipulation and ensuring consistent, reproducible results
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 system enables efficient, reproducible, and selective isolation of particles with reduced contamination and manual intervention, improving the precision and efficiency of particle handling and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration device, in this case generating acoustic radiation pressure
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A microfluidic system (1) for the isolation of cells (C1) of at least one given type from a sample; the system (1) comprises a separation unit (3), for transferring at least part of the cells (C1) of the given type from a main chamber (4) to a recovery chamber (5) in a substantially selective way with respect to further cells (C2) of the sample; two valves (9, 10) are set upstream and downstream of the main chamber (4); two valves (11, 12) are set upstream and downstream of the recovery chamber (5); a control assembly (23) is designed to govern the aforementioned valves (9, 10, 11, 12); the system (1) proposed enables isolation of the cells with a high degree of reproducibility and precision.