Microfluidic Device Drying Agent Sample Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microfluidic devices face challenges in separating complex biological samples due to compatibility issues with organic solvents, which can interfere with enrichment and separation columns, leading to impaired separation processes.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device with a substrate featuring a sample input port, drying agent input port, enrichment column, separation column, and fluid-conducting passages, where a drying agent is used to remove liquid from the sample before separation, allowing for effective separation of analytes using a mobile phase fluid that differs from the original solvent, thereby preventing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If organic solvent is used to dissolve complex biological sample, then sample solubility is improved, but compatibility with enrichment and separation column deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a drying agent into the enrichment column before the sample reaches it. The drying agent removes the organic solvent from the sample in advance, converting it to an aqueous phase that is compatible with the enrichment and separation columns. This preliminary removal of the problematic solvent prevents interference with the chromatographic process while maintaining sample solubility during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying agent acts as an intermediary substance between the organic solvent-based sample and the aqueous-based enrichment/separation columns. By introducing this intermediate component, the system facilitates the transition from an incompatible organic phase to a compatible aqueous phase, enabling the sample to pass through the columns without direct contact between the organic solvent and column materials.
2Quantity of substance
If organic solvent is used to dissolve sample, then sample dissolution is improved, but separation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by removing the organic solvent through the drying agent before the sample enters the separation column. This advance treatment ensures that by the time separation occurs, the sample is in an aqueous phase that allows for accurate chromatographic separation, thereby maintaining both dissolution during transport and accuracy during separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying agent extracts the organic solvent from the sample in the enrichment column, separating the problematic solvent component from the analytes. This extraction leaves behind an aqueous sample solution that is suitable for high-accuracy separation in the subsequent column, thus resolving the conflict between dissolution and separation accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If organic solvent is used, then sample loading is facilitated, but elution interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by removing the organic solvent through the drying agent before the sample reaches the separation column. This pre-treatment eliminates the source of elution interference while maintaining ease of sample loading, as the sample can still be introduced in organic solvent but is converted to a compatible form before separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying agent converts the harmful organic solvent into a beneficial aqueous phase. The organic solvent, which initially causes elution interference, is transformed through evaporation or phase change into a condition that enables proper chromatographic separation. The harmful factor is thus converted into a benefit by changing its physical or chemical state.
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 rapid and automated separation of analytes in small volumes, avoiding the issues caused by organic solvents and improving the accuracy of chromatographic separation in microfluidic devices.
Implementation Method 1
a drying agent is used to remove liquid from the sample before separation
Implementation Method 2
a drying agent is used to remove liquid from the sample before separation
Implementation Method 3
utilizing techniques such as chromatography to cause chromatographic separation of molecules within the sample
Implementation Method 4
molecules interact with the stationary phase surface
Implementation Method 5
chromatographic separation occurs when the mobile phase carries molecules in the sample through the stationary phase where the molecules interact with the stationary phase surface
Implementation Method 6
Different molecules interact differently with the stationary phase, resulting in the molecules having a different velocity through the separation column
Implementation Method 7
the mobile phase carries molecules in the sample through the stationary phase
Data Source
AI summary
A device for sample analysis includes a microfluidic device for separating analytes of a sample comprising a liquid, the microfluidic device comprising a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the substrate defining features that collectively occupy an area of the substrate of about 0.1 to 10 cm2, the features comprising a sample input port located at the first surface; a drying agent input port located at the first surface; an enrichment column; a separation column; switching ports located at the second surface; and fluid-conducting passages extending through the substrate from the switching ports to the sample input port, the drying agent input port, the enrichment column and the separation column. Also provided are methods and systems for separating analytes from a sample.