Origami-Based Sample Separation Device for Biomarker Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biological sample separation devices are costly to manufacture and difficult to handle due to their large and heavy design, making them unsuitable for widespread use in protein analysis, especially when dealing with small sample amounts.
Innovation Solution
A biological sample separation device is developed using a selective ion permeable layer based on origami, with a base folded into units, a coating layer to prevent adsorption, and a filter layer to adjust micro pore size, allowing for the concentration and separation of target materials using an electric field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional biological sample separation devices are used, then separation and concentration of biomarkers can be achieved, but the devices are costly to manufacture and difficult to handle due to their large and heavy design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible paper-based substrate with folded structures to create a portable separation device. The paper matrix serves as a thin, lightweight support structure that maintains structural integrity while enabling portability. This resolves the contradiction by replacing conventional rigid, heavy device housings with flexible paper-based architecture that achieves the same separation function at minimal weight and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes a multi-layered paper structure where different functional layers are nested within each other. The folded paper creates three-dimensional reservoirs and separation channels nested within the flat substrate. This nesting approach concentrates all necessary components into a compact, foldable form factor that is easy to transport while maintaining full separation functionality.
2Measurement precision
If conventional biological sample separation devices are used, then separation and concentration of biomarkers can be achieved, but the devices are costly to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable paper-based cartridges that can be manufactured at low cost using simple printing and folding processes. Each cartridge is a single-use device that eliminates the need for expensive, complex instrumentation. The paper substrate, coating layers, and embedded structures are all manufactured using low-cost techniques, making the overall device economically viable for widespread use while maintaining precise biomarker separation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The device replaces complex mechanical separation systems with passive paper-based separation mechanisms. Instead of using pumps, valves, and motorized components, the invention uses capillary action, electrostatic fields, and paper matrix diffusion to achieve separation. This substitution of active mechanical systems with passive material-based systems dramatically reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while preserving separation precision.
3Quantity of substance
If small sample amounts are used for analysis, then sample consumption is reduced, but the concentration of target materials becomes insufficient for accurate detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs localized concentration mechanisms within specific regions of the paper device. Electroporation electrodes and selectively permeable membranes are positioned at specific locations to concentrate target materials into defined reservoirs. This local concentration approach ensures that even small input samples produce sufficient target material concentration at the detection zone, maintaining measurement precision while using minimal sample volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes the porous structure of paper and selectively permeable membranes to concentrate biomarkers from small sample volumes. The paper matrix acts as a porous medium that captures and concentrates target materials through adsorption and diffusion. This porous material approach efficiently concentrates analytes from microliter-scale samples, enabling accurate detection with minimal sample consumption.
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
The device effectively concentrates and separates target materials at a low cost, enabling precise analysis of biomarkers in small samples, such as proteins and nucleic acids, facilitating early disease detection and diagnosis.
Implementation Method 1
a selective ion permeable layer which at least partially overlaps at least some of reservoirs and selectively transmits ions
Implementation Method 2
a coating layer which is located in at least a partial area of the base to prevent the adsorption of a sample to be processed
Implementation Method 3
a filter layer which is located in the middle of a movement path of the collection object formed by folding the plurality of base units to filter the separation object
Data Source
AI summary
The present exemplary embodiments provide a sample separation device which applies an electric field to a selective ion permeable layer based on origami to concentrate a target material in a specific area and concentrates a target material and separates a non-target material through a filter layer in which a paper is compressed to adjust a size of micro pore.