Mixed Separation Medium for Wide Range Electrophoresis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic devices face challenges in separating samples with wide size ranges or multiple types of samples using a single type of separation medium, leading to complex and error-prone operations as users need to frequently change the medium to match the sample size range.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that determine the optimal composition of a mixed separation medium by creating resolution maps for different size segments, extracting high resolution regions, and selecting a composition point within these regions to achieve high resolution separation, using a program and device that automatically mix and prepare the medium based on the sample size range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single type of water soluble polymer is used as separation medium, then the operation is simple, but the size range across which high resolution separation can be obtained is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite separation media formed by mixing multiple types of water soluble polymers (e.g., different molecular weights of the same polymer type, or different polymer types) to achieve separation across wide size ranges. The composite medium combines the advantages of each component polymer, enabling high-resolution separation of samples spanning from short to long chain lengths without requiring medium changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of the separation medium by varying the molecular weights, concentrations, and ratios of mixed polymers to optimize separation for different sample size ranges. By adjusting these parameters, a single mixed medium can accommodate multiple size ranges that would otherwise require different pure polymer types.
2Measurement precision
If multiple types of water soluble polymers are prepared to cover different size ranges, then the separation precision for different size ranges is improved, but the operation becomes complicated and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal mixed separation medium that can handle multiple sample size ranges simultaneously. Instead of requiring users to select and change between multiple polymer types, the pre-formulated mixed medium performs high-resolution separation across the entire size range, making the system multi-functional and eliminating selection complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary optimization by pre-determining the optimal composition ratios of mixed polymers for covering wide size ranges. This preliminary action creates ready-to-use mixed separation media that eliminate the need for users to perform complex selection and adjustment procedures during operation.
3Measurement precision
If the molecular weight of water soluble polymer is reduced and concentration increased for short chain DNA, then separation resolution for short chains is improved, but the ability to separate long chain DNA is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by using different molecular weight polymers in specific proportions within the mixed medium. Lower molecular weight polymers provide the fine mesh structure needed for short chain separation, while higher molecular weight polymers provide the coarse structure for long chain separation. Each component performs its specialized function locally within the composite medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines polymers of different molecular weights in optimized ratios to create a composite medium where the synergistic interaction between components enables both short and long chain separation. The mixed medium integrates the fine separation capability of low molecular weight polymers with the broad range capability of high molecular weight polymers.
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 easy preparation of separation media with appropriate separation characteristics for wide size ranges, allowing for high precision and efficient analysis of samples across various size ranges without the need for frequent medium changes, thereby simplifying operations and reducing errors.
Implementation Method 1
a sample such as DNA, RNA or protein which has been introduced into one end of the separation channel is analyzed after separating it by causing the sample to migrate toward the other end of the separation channel by means of voltage applied between the two ends of the separation channel
Data Source
AI summary
Resolution maps for size segments to which the size range of the measurement sample extends are retrieved. A high resolution region is extracted from the retrieved size segment resolution maps. After extracting the high resolution regions, the resolution maps are overlaid, the region where the high resolution regions overlap is taken as a high resolution overlap region, and the composition of a point within that high resolution overlap region is determined as the composition of a separation medium appropriate for separation of the measurement sample. The separation media A, B and C are mixed so as to achieve the determined composition, thereby preparing a mixed separation medium to be used for separation of the measurement sample.