Polymethylmethacrylate Liquid Chromatography Column for Hemoglobin Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional columns for liquid chromatography, such as stainless steel and engineering plastics, suffer from non-specific adsorption of components derived from living organisms, leading to inaccurate measurements, especially in hemoglobin analysis, and are costly to produce.
Innovation Solution
A column for liquid chromatography comprising a column pipe and end fitting made from polymethylmethacrylate, which suppresses non-specific adsorption and allows for accurate measurement at a lower production cost, using relatively low hydrophobic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If stainless steel columns are used for liquid chromatography, then pressure resistance is improved, but non-specific adsorption of components derived from living organisms occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable plastic columns (polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene) that are inexpensive and can be discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for expensive stainless steel columns while avoiding non-specific adsorption issues. The disposable nature compensates for any reduced durability, maintaining measurement accuracy without requiring costly reusable materials.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If engineering plastics such as PEEK are used for column production, then non-specific adsorption is suppressed, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive engineering plastics like PEEK with inexpensive commodity plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. These cheaper materials achieve the same function of suppressing non-specific adsorption sufficiently for hemoglobin measurement, making the columns economically viable for routine laboratory use while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from high-performance engineering plastics to conventional commodity plastics. By selecting appropriate plastic types with suitable chemical properties, the patent achieves effective suppression of non-specific adsorption without incurring the high costs associated with engineering plastics like PEEK.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If highly hydrophobic materials with water contact angle of 90° or more are used, then non-specific adsorption is suppressed, but separation performance of hemoglobin is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the hydrophobicity parameter of column materials by selecting plastics with moderate hydrophobic characteristics. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene exhibit appropriate hydrophobicity that suppresses non-specific adsorption of hemoglobin while preserving its separation performance. This balanced parameter selection avoids the extremes of highly hydrophobic materials that would compromise separation.
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 polymethylmethacrylate column effectively suppresses non-specific adsorption, enabling high separation performance in hemoglobin analysis without the need for surface treatments, and can be produced at a lower cost, making it economically advantageous and easily disposable.
Implementation Method 1
the use of a stainless steel column to measure samples such as proteins, nucleic acids, and sugars derived from living organisms may cause components derived from living organisms to be non-specifically adsorbed to the inner surface of the column
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a column for liquid chromatography that can be produced at low cost and allows suppression of non-specific adsorption of components derived from living organisms. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for analyzing hemoglobin using the column for liquid chromatography. The present invention provides a column for liquid chromatography having a column pipe and an end fitting, wherein the column pipe and the end fitting comprise polyethylene or polymethylmethacrylate.