Microfluidic Device Single-Chamber Cell Concentration and Lysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microfluidic devices for biological analysis require numerous valves and chambers, leading to a large and costly device, with challenges in integrating multiple processes in a single device and high risks of air bubble formation and sample loss during fluid transfer.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device with an anode and cathode chamber separated by an ion exchange membrane, featuring a solid support with a cell-binding substance and specific electrode materials, allowing for simultaneous concentration and lysis of cells or viruses in a single chamber through electrolysis and pH adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple biological analysis processes are integrated in series with multiple chambers and valves, then the functionality and versatility of the device is improved, but the device size, complexity and cost increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple biological analysis processes (cell concentration, cell lysis, DNA extraction, PCR amplification) into a single integrated chamber, eliminating the need for multiple separate chambers and valves. This merging approach maintains full functionality while dramatically reducing device complexity and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The single chamber is designed to perform multiple functions sequentially: concentrating cells using a solid support with binding substances, lysing cells through controlled pH changes, extracting DNA, and performing PCR amplification. This multi-functional design allows one chamber to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized chambers.
2Reliability
If multiple chambers are used for different biological processes, then the reliability of each process is improved, but the volume and cost of the device increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a spatial arrangement of multiple chambers to a temporal sequence of processes within a single chamber. By organizing processes in time rather than space, the device achieves the same functional reliability without requiring multiple chamber volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple process functions that would traditionally occupy separate spatial chambers are merged into a single chamber that performs them sequentially, dramatically reducing the total device volume while maintaining process reliability through proper temporal sequencing.
3Reliability
If sample solutions are transferred between multiple chambers, then each process can be performed in its optimal environment, but the risk of air bubble formation and sample loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the harmful aspect of inter-chamber transfers by extracting the sample from the transfer path entirely. All processes occur in-place within a single chamber, removing the opportunity for air bubble formation and sample loss during transfers while maintaining process optimization through controlled environmental sequencing.
4Manufacturing precision
If numerous valves and microfluidic controllers are used to manage fluid transfer, then the precision of fluid control is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes valves and complex microfluidic controllers from the system by designing a single-chamber architecture where fluid control is achieved through simpler means such as controlled reagent addition and temporal sequencing, rather than complex spatial routing requiring numerous valves.
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 concentration and lysis of cells or viruses in a single chamber, reducing device size and cost while minimizing gas generation and sample loss, facilitating integrated biological analysis processes.
Implementation Method 1
an ion exchange membrane separating the anode chamber and the cathode chamber
Implementation Method 2
simultaneous concentration and lysis of cells or viruses in a single chamber through electrolysis and pH adjustment
Implementation Method 3
the surface of the solid support is coated with a cell-binding substance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Provide are a microfluidic device 100 for concentrating cells from a sample containing cells or viruses and for lysing the cells or viruses, the device 100 comprising an anode chamber 115 containing an anode electrode 111, a cathode chamber 119 containing a cathode electrode 123, and an ion exchange membrane 101 separating the anode chamber 115 and the cathode chamber 119, wherein a solid support 121 capable of retaining cells or viruses from the sample containing cells or viruses is disposed in the cathode chamber 119; a method of producing the microfluidic device 100, and a method of concentrating cell from a sample containing cells or viruses and lysing the cells or viruses therein using the microfluidic device 100. The microfluidic device 100 can effectively concentrate cells from a sample containing cells or viruses and lyse the cells or viruses, and the processes of concentrating and lysis can be performed in a single chamber.