Needle-Based Cell Separation via Mechanical Binding Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cell separation techniques, such as FACS and MACS, are limited in their ability to target intracellular substances like proteins for specific cell discrimination and separation, and are costly due to the need for precise fluorescence measurement and genetically modified cells, which is not suitable for natural cell separation in transplant treatments.
Innovation Solution
A method using a needle-shaped body with a marker-binding substance immobilized on it to selectively bind to target cells, allowing for the separation of cells by controlling the binding force between the needle and the cell to exceed the adhesion force to the substrate, enabling the mechanical separation of target cells based on intracellular markers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If FACS is used to separate target cells by fluorescence measurement, then target cells can be distinguished and sorted, but the system becomes extremely expensive and requires genetically modified cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex optical measurement system of FACS with a simple mechanical needle-based system. Instead of using fluorescence measurement and laser beams, the invention uses a physical needle to mechanically interact with cells, detecting target cells through mechanical force responses when the needle contacts cells expressing target proteins. This substitution dramatically simplifies the system while maintaining cell discrimination capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive needles as the primary separation tool instead of expensive fluorescence-labeled antibodies and complex optical equipment. The needles can be disposable or reusable simple mechanical components, eliminating the need for costly reagents and sophisticated instrumentation while achieving effective cell separation based on mechanical interaction with target proteins.
2Measurement precision
If FACS uses fluorescence-labeled antibodies for cell separation, then target cells can be identified, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces chemical fluorescence labeling with mechanical detection using a physical needle. The needle directly interacts with target proteins on or in the cell membrane through mechanical contact, detecting target cells based on force responses during needle-cell interaction. This eliminates the need for expensive fluorescence-labeled antibodies while maintaining accurate target cell identification.
3Adaptability or versatility
If genetically modified cells are used for FACS separation, then intracellular proteins can be targeted, but natural cells cannot be separated for transplant treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a mechanical needle approach that can detect target proteins directly on or in natural cells without requiring genetic modification. The needle interacts mechanically with target proteins, allowing separation of natural cells suitable for transplant treatment while maintaining the ability to target specific intracellular or membrane proteins through the mechanical detection method.
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 allows for the efficient and cost-effective separation of target cells by targeting intracellular markers, avoiding the need for expensive fluorescence labeling and genetic modification, and can be used to separate cells without causing damage, making it suitable for large-scale and rapid separation of specific cells.
Implementation Method 1
a needle-shaped body, on which a substance that selectively binds to a marker substance within each target cell has been immobilized, is inserted into each of cell samples on a substrate, thereby causing the marker substance within each target cell in the cell samples to bind to the needle-shaped body
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for discriminating and separating only specific cells in cell samples is provided. The cell separation operation includes inserting a needle-shaped body, on which a substance that selectively binds to a marker substance within each target cell has been immobilized, into each of the cell samples on a substrate, thereby causing the marker substance within each target cell in the cell samples to bind to the needle-shaped body through the substance that selectively binds to the marker substance, and then, pulling up the needle-shaped body. The binding force between the needle-shaped body and each target cell when the marker substance within each target cell has bound to the needle-shaped body is made greater than an adhesion force of each of the cell samples to the substrate, so that only target cells each containing the marker substance are pulled up and separated from the substrate.