Sample Solution Concentration Using SAP and Piston Volume Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for concentrating aqueous solutions containing high-molecular-weight molecules using super absorbent polymers struggle to control the concentration fold ratio, leading to inconsistencies in examination results.

Innovation Solution

A concentration device comprising a cylinder with a liquid holding part and a piston with holes, where the super absorbent polymer absorbs water from the sample solution, and the piston extracts the concentrated solution through its holes, ensuring a controlled concentration fold ratio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a super absorbent polymer is used to concentrate a sample solution, then the concentration of the sample solution is improved, but the concentration fold ratio cannot be controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration of sample solutionVSAvoidconcentration fold ratio control

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sample solution is divided into two parts: one part is held in the liquid holding part and the other part is absorbed by the super absorbent polymer. This segmentation allows controlled concentration by separating the functions of holding and absorbing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid holding part acts as an intermediary component that holds a specific volume of sample solution, enabling precise control over the concentration fold ratio by regulating the amount of liquid that comes into contact with the super absorbent polymer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If water is completely absorbed by the super absorbent polymer, then the concentration is improved, but the examination results show comparison failure between sample solutions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration of sample solutionVSAvoidcomparison accuracy of examination results

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of absorbing all water from the sample solution, the super absorbent polymer absorbs only a controlled portion of the water, leaving enough liquid to maintain solution properties needed for reliable examination and comparison.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid holding part provides feedback control by maintaining a specific volume of liquid that ensures consistent concentration fold ratios across different sample solutions, enabling reliable comparison of examination results.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If a piston with holes is used to extract the concentrated solution, then the concentration fold ratio control is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconcentration fold ratio controlVSAvoidstructure of concentration device

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The piston serves multiple functions: it presses the super absorbent polymer to release concentrated solution, it defines the liquid holding volume, and it controls the extraction process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The piston combines the functions of a pressurizing element, a volume-defining element, and an extraction tool into a single component, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining precise concentration control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 device enables the production of a sample solution with a desired concentration fold ratio, enhancing the reliability of examination results by maintaining uniformity and sensitivity in detection.

Implementation Method 1

the super absorbent polymer absorbs water contained in the sample solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

the super absorbent polymer absorbs water contained in the sample solution, other than the sample solution held in the liquid holding part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12517125B2Concentration device, sample solution concentration method, sample solution examination method, and examination kit

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

There are provided a concentration device for concentrating a sample solution, which makes it possible to obtain a sample solution concentrated solution having a desired concentration fold ratio, a sample solution concentration method using the concentration device, a sample solution concentration method using the sample solution examination method, and an examination kit including the concentration device. The concentration device is a concentration device for concentrating a sample solution which is an aqueous solution containing a high-molecular-weight molecule, the concentration device including a cylinder that accommodates a particulate super absorbent polymer and a piston that is insertable into the cylinder, where the cylinder has, at a bottom part, a liquid holding part for holding a part of the sample solution injected into the cylinder, the super absorbent polymer is accommodated in the cylinder to be in contact with the liquid holding part on the liquid holding part, and the piston includes the tip part having holes smaller than the particle diameter of the super absorbent polymer after water absorption.