Automated Protein Purification System Using Disposable Peristaltic Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current protein purification methods, such as affinity chromatography, are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and require high-quality sample solutions, with existing automatic systems being expensive and prone to blockages or leakage, limiting their automation and applicability.
Innovation Solution
A fully-automatic protein purification system utilizing a stepper motor, peristaltic pump, and two-way valves with a control system, which automates protein chromatography purification, reduces manual intervention, and is cost-effective with a simple device structure, suitable for a wide range of applications, and minimizes pipeline blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a high-end precision fluid pump, sampling solenoid valve, and multi-position selective solenoid valve are used to achieve automatic protein purification, then the automation level and purification efficiency are improved, but the system cost increases significantly and the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable peristaltic pumps instead of expensive precision fluid pumps. The peristaltic pump uses a flexible tube that is replaced periodically, eliminating the need for complex precision pumping mechanisms while achieving adequate automation for protein purification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates complex components such as sampling solenoid valves and multi-position selective solenoid valves from the system. By simplifying the valve system to basic two-way valves and using software control for fluid routing, the automation function is maintained while significantly reducing system complexity and cost
2Extent of automation
If precision instruments such as fluid pump, sampling valve, and rotary valve are used in the system, then the automation capability is improved, but the requirements for sample solution quality increase and blockage or leakage problems occur more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The peristaltic pump uses a disposable flexible tube that comes into contact with the sample solution. This tube can be easily replaced if contamination or blockage occurs, preventing the spread of problems to other system components and reducing the stringency of sample quality requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible peristaltic tube acts as an intermediary between the pump mechanism and the sample solution. It isolates the precision pump mechanism from direct contact with potentially problematic sample solutions, reducing the impact of sample quality variations on system reliability
3Device complexity
If manual protein purification operations are performed, then the equipment cost is reduced, but the time consumption and labor intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service automation through software control that automatically manages fluid routing, pump operation, and valve switching based on pre-programmed purification protocols. This eliminates the need for manual intervention in each purification step while using simple, low-cost hardware components
Solution Approach 2:
The peristaltic pump operates in periodic cycles, squeezing and releasing the flexible tube to create intermittent fluid flow. This periodic action is sufficient for protein purification applications and can be automated through simple timing control, achieving productivity improvement without complex continuous flow mechanisms
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 system fully automates protein chromatography purification, improving efficiency and reducing manual labor, while being cost-effective and adaptable to varying sample solutions, ensuring reliable operation without blockages.
Implementation Method 1
a peristaltic pump, and a control system thereof, which can fully automate the protein chromatography purification
Implementation Method 2
a His*6 tag-containing target protein solution is driven by its gravity to flow through a chelated nickel ion medium
Implementation Method 3
the target protein fully bind to the medium
Implementation Method 4
the other protein is removed with a buffer solution including low-concentration (usually 10 mM to 20 mM) imidazole
Implementation Method 5
the chelated nickel ion medium is eluted with a buffer including high-concentration imidazole to obtain a high-purity target protein
Data Source
AI summary
A fully-automatic protein purification system device includes a chromatography unit, a first drive unit, a connecting pipeline, a locating unit, a second drive unit, a first container, a second container, a first valve, a second valve, and a control unit. The fully-automatic protein purification system device can fully automate the protein chromatography purification with a simple device structure and a low cost, has low requirements for the quality of a sample solution, will not cause blockage of a pipeline, has a wide application range, can greatly improve the automation of protein chromatography purification in the biology field, and can reduce the manual investment.