PVA Membrane Electrophoretic Sperm Separation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for sperm separation in assisted reproduction technologies, such as swim-up techniques and density gradient centrifugation, are inefficient and can cause oxidative stress or DNA damage, while electrophoretic separation using polyacrylamide membranes poses risks due to potential toxicity.

Innovation Solution

The use of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) membranes for electrophoretic sperm separation, which are biocompatible, hydrophilic, and do not allow non-viable sperm or contaminants to pass through, thereby reducing oxidative stress and DNA damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If polyacrylamide membranes are used for electrophoretic separation, then separation efficiency is improved, but sperm contamination with toxic acrylamide monomer occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidacrylamide contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the membrane from polyacrylamide to polyvinyl alcohol, fundamentally altering the chemical composition to eliminate toxicity while preserving the electrophoretic separation functionality. This material substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining separation efficiency without acrylamide contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs disposable polyvinyl alcohol membranes that can be manufactured without toxic residues. These single-use membranes eliminate the risk of acrylamide contamination while maintaining effective separation performance, addressing the safety concern without compromising separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Quantity of substance

If traditional swim-up techniques are used, then sperm separation is achieved, but oxidative stress increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesperm separationVSAvoidoxidative stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical swim-up technique with an electrophoretic system using polyvinyl alcohol membranes. This substitution changes the separation mechanism from mechanical movement to electric field-driven migration, eliminating the oxidative stress associated with traditional methods while achieving effective sperm separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If density gradient centrifugation is used, then sperm separation is improved, but DNA damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesperm separation qualityVSAvoidDNA damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces density gradient centrifugation with electrophoretic separation using polyvinyl alcohol membranes. This substitution replaces mechanical centrifugal forces with electric field-driven migration, achieving high-quality sperm separation without the DNA damage caused by centrifugal stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If electrophoretic separation is used with safe membranes, then sperm safety is improved, but membrane manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesperm safetyVSAvoidmembrane manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the membrane material to polyvinyl alcohol, which has favorable manufacturing characteristics including water solubility and ease of processing. This material selection maintains sperm safety while avoiding the manufacturing complexities that might arise from other safe materials, balancing safety requirements with manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

PVA membranes effectively separate viable sperm without causing oxidative stress or DNA damage, providing a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

Electrophoresis is the motion of dispersed particles relative to a fluid under the influence of an electric field. The combination of electrophoresis with a porous membrane, which allows the passage of macromolecules or cells of particular sizes and/or charges, enables the separation and/or purification of macromolecules or cells.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Data Source

PatentUS10946346B2Sperm separation by electrophoresis

Publication Date: 2021.03.16 MEMPHASYS LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to the separation of sperm. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of polyvinyl alcohol membranes in the electrophoretic separation of sperm.