Offset Row Cell Capturing Cartridge for High-Efficiency Single-Cell Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cell capturing devices face challenges in efficiently capturing and separating single biological cells, such as cancer cells, due to their small size and low capturing rate, requiring a device with improved structure for mass production and enhanced detection capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A cell capturing cartridge with a substrate structure featuring offset rows of capturing parts and passages, where the capturing parts are recessed and aligned to increase the probability of cell capture, and the use of materials like glass, silicon, and polymers for the substrates to enhance capturing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional cell capturing devices are used, then device simplicity for mass production is maintained, but cell capturing efficiency and separation capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple functional layers including a lower substrate with electrode structures, an intermediate layer with capturing parts, and an upper substrate with passages. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity through standardized layer fabrication processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from planar electrode arrangements to three-dimensional offset row structures with capturing parts positioned at different heights and lateral positions. The offset rows create multiple capturing zones that increase cell capture probability without requiring complex control systems, effectively using spatial dimensionality to enhance productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional capturing structures are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but cell separation and detection capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode structures and capturing parts are arranged in asymmetric offset rows rather than symmetric patterns. This asymmetry creates unique electrical field distributions and fluid flow patterns that enable precise cell separation based on cell properties, while the repetitive asymmetric unit structure maintains manufacturing ease through standardized fabrication processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate layer with capturing parts serves as a mediator between the lower substrate's electrode structures and the upper substrate's passages. This intermediary layer enables precise cell positioning and separation by combining electrical field manipulation from below with physical capture and fluid flow control from above, achieving high manufacturing precision without excessive manufacturing complexity.
3Productivity
If simple electrode arrangements are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but cell capture probability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode structures and capturing parts are pre-positioned in offset rows before cell introduction. This preliminary arrangement creates predetermined electrical field patterns and fluid flow paths that guide cells into capturing positions, increasing capture probability without requiring complex real-time control mechanisms during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical cell manipulation systems with electrical field-based cell positioning and sorting. The electrode structures generate electrical fields that manipulate cell positions and orientations, substituting mechanical complexity with electrical control that achieves higher capture rates through non-contact, programmable field patterns.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a cell capturing cartridge. According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the cell capturing cartridge may include a substrate and structures provided on an upper surface of the substrate and constituting a plurality of rows that are parallel to a row direction. The structures in one row may be offset from the structures in the neighboring rows in the row direction. Each of the substrates may have a first side surface facing one side of the substrate and a second side surface disposed opposite to the first side surface and having a width greater than that of the first side surface.