Filtration Device for Nanoparticle Biomaterial Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing and purifying nanoparticle-coupled biomaterials often result in the loss of bioactivity due to harsh centrifugation processes, which damage delicate biomolecules and lead to poor reproducibility and long separation times.

Innovation Solution

A device with a chamber and a filter in one side wall, allowing for separation under gravity, eliminating the need for centrifugation by using a filtration method with a vacuum to gently and quickly separate particles and molecules of different sizes, ensuring that larger particles sink while smaller ones pass through the filter, maintaining the stability of biomolecules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If centrifugation is used to separate nanoparticles and biomolecules, then separation speed and efficiency are improved, but bioactivity of biomolecules is lost due to damage from high centrifugal force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation speedVSAvoidbioactivity of biomolecules

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the centrifugal mechanical separation system with a filtration system that uses a filter membrane to separate nanoparticles from biomolecules. The filter membrane with specific pore sizes allows gentle separation without subjecting biomolecules to high centrifugal forces, thus maintaining their bioactivity while achieving efficient separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a filter membrane with controlled pore sizes (ranging from 1-100 nm) to physically separate nanoparticles from biomolecules. The porous structure enables size-based filtration where the filter retains nanoparticles while allowing smaller biomolecules to pass through, achieving separation without mechanical damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Productivity

If centrifugation is used to separate particles, then separation efficiency is improved, but separation time increases due to multiple washing steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidseparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the separation process into a single filtration step using a filter membrane with specific pore sizes, eliminating the need for multiple sequential centrifugation and washing steps. This segmented approach achieves both separation and purification in one operation, significantly reducing total processing time while maintaining efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If high centrifugal force is applied to separate nanoparticles, then separation completeness is improved, but biomolecules are damaged due to mutual collisions under centrifugal force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation completenessVSAvoiddamage to biomolecules

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the high-force centrifugal mechanical system with a passive filtration system. The filter membrane provides size-based separation without applying mechanical stress or centrifugal force to the biomolecules, eliminating mutual collisions and preventing damage while achieving complete separation of nanoparticles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a filter membrane with precisely controlled pore sizes to achieve size-based separation. The porous structure physically blocks nanoparticles while allowing smaller biomolecules to pass through freely, achieving complete separation without the harmful mechanical effects of high centrifugal force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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

This method enables rapid and gentle separation of nanoparticles and biomolecules, reducing damage and separation time, allowing for efficient purification of nanoparticle-bound biomaterials without centrifugation, thus preserving bioactivity and improving reproducibility.

Implementation Method 1

separation under gravity, eliminating the need for centrifugation by using a filtration method

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

A device with a chamber and a filter in one side wall, allowing for separation under gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

using a filtration method with a vacuum to gently and quickly separate particles and molecules of different sizes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3034616B1Device for producing and/or cleaning nanoparticle coupled biomaterials and method using the same

Publication Date: 2018.07.18 SALEHI MOHAMMAD

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AI summary

Device for the production of biocompatible nanomaterials, comprising a chamber with at least one opening, wherein the opening is closed with a filter and wherein the opening is arranged in one of the side walls of the chamber such that an end volume is formed between the opening and the bottom of the chamber.