Picker Device for Target Analyte Isolation Using Pressure Gradient
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques are inefficient and costly for detecting and isolating target analytes, such as circulating tumor cells, from blood samples due to their low occurrence in a vast background of other cells, making accurate analysis time-consuming and difficult.
Innovation Solution
A picker device and system that uses a pressure gradient, hydraulic fluid coupling, and magnetic or light-based methods to aspirate and dispense target analytes, allowing for precise manipulation and isolation by creating a force for attraction and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional techniques (smearing and staining) are used to analyze blood samples, then the process is simple to perform, but the detection precision and productivity are extremely low when target analytes occur in very low numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates target analytes from the blood sample matrix using magnetic beads for capture and automated picking systems for physical separation. This extraction approach concentrates the target analytes from the vast background of other cells, dramatically improving detection precision while reducing the time required for analysis compared to conventional smearing and staining techniques.
2Productivity
If manual separation and isolation techniques are used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity and measurement precision are extremely difficult to accomplish for low-abundance targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces magnetic beads as intermediary carriers that bind to target analytes, enabling their manipulation and isolation. These magnetic intermediaries allow automated picking systems to efficiently capture and transfer rare analytes without requiring direct manual manipulation, thereby dramatically improving productivity while the automation reduces the operational complexity for the user.
3Measurement precision
If conventional extraction methods are used, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the reliability and measurement precision are extremely low for detecting 1 CTC in 50 billion cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation with automated picking systems that use magnetic forces and precise mechanical positioning to isolate target analytes. This substitution dramatically improves detection accuracy for rare analytes while the automation handles the complexity, maintaining ease of operation for the user through intuitive control interfaces.
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 efficient and accurate detection and isolation of target analytes from suspensions, reducing the time and cost associated with existing methods by utilizing a pressure gradient and hydraulic fluid coupling to manage small volumes effectively.
Implementation Method 1
A picker device and system that uses a pressure gradient, hydraulic fluid coupling, and magnetic or light-based methods to aspirate and dispense target analytes
Implementation Method 2
A picker device and system that uses a pressure gradient, hydraulic fluid coupling, and magnetic or light-based methods to aspirate and dispense target analytes
Implementation Method 3
A picker device and system that uses a pressure gradient, hydraulic fluid coupling, and magnetic or light-based methods to aspirate and dispense target analytes, allowing for precise manipulation and isolation by creating a force for attraction and removal
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure is directed to a device and a system for aspirating and dispensing a target analyte, target material, or fluid. A picker may aspirate and dispense the desired material by introducing a pressure gradient. The picker may include a hydraulic fluid to hydraulically couple at least two components, such as a moveable pump component and a cannula.