Polyol-Coated cIEF Capillaries for Stable Storage and Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercially available capillaries used in capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF) are prone to performance degradation due to air introduction, seal damage, and poor storage conditions, requiring user expertise and specific handling to maintain column integrity and lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A polymer-coated capillary treated with a polyol solution, comprising 5-50% polyol, which stabilizes the coating and enhances storage and performance under harsh conditions, allowing for unsealed capillaries and reducing the need for user expertise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If capillaries are sealed and pre-filled with cIEF media, then media integrity is maintained during storage and shipping, but user expertise and specific handling are required to maintain column performance and lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia integrityVSAvoiduser expertise requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The capillary system performs self-maintenance through the polyol coating that automatically prevents media drying and degradation during storage and use, eliminating the need for user intervention to maintain media integrity and column performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The polyol coating acts as an intermediary substance between the capillary wall and the cIEF media, providing a protective interface that prevents harmful interactions and maintains media stability without requiring user management of seals or end-caps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If air is introduced to capillary media during manufacture or storage, then media drying occurs, but this adversely affects capillary performance and lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidcapillary performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The polyol coating converts the potentially harmful effect of air exposure and media drying into a beneficial protective mechanism, where the coating itself prevents drying and maintains media integrity even when air contact occurs during manufacture or storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If prolonged storage and poor column conditioning practices occur, then column performance and lifespan are negatively affected, but alternative strategies would provide robust performance without user expertise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling simplicityVSAvoidcolumn performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The polyol-coated capillary performs self-maintenance during storage and use, automatically preventing media degradation and maintaining performance without requiring user expertise in column conditioning or specific handling procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4278175B1Polyol solution for coated capillaries in capillary isoelectric focusing

Publication Date: 2026.03.04 DH TECH DEVMENT PTE

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AI summary

The disclosure provides a series of polyol solutions that are useful in capillary gel electrophoresis methods and compositions of matter (e.g., capillaries, capillary cartridges, and kits). The polyol solutions can maintain, protect, and improve capillary integrity and useful lifespan, polymer coating rehydration characteristics, avoid damage to polymer coatings, and increase the consistency in capillary performance between multiple separations.