Sample Concentration Chamber Using Superabsorbent Polymer Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sample solution concentration methods using super absorbent polymers struggle to control the concentration fold ratio, leading to inconsistencies in examination results.

Innovation Solution

A concentration device with a cylinder containing a super absorbent polymer and a piston with holes, where the sample solution is injected, absorbed, and then extracted using the piston to achieve a desired 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 device divides the sample solution into two parts: a first sample solution that is absorbed by the super absorbent polymer, and a second sample solution that is held in the holding chamber. This segmentation allows independent control of absorption amount and held amount, enabling precise control of the concentration fold ratio while achieving high concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameters of the super absorbent polymer (particle size, absorption capacity) and the holding chamber (volume, shape) to optimize the concentration process. By adjusting these parameters, the device can control the concentration fold ratio while maintaining high concentration effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If water is completely absorbed by the super absorbent polymer, then the concentration fold ratio is improved, but the extraction of concentrated solution becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentration fold ratioVSAvoidextraction of concentrated solution
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holding chamber acts as an intermediary that stores a portion of the sample solution separately from the absorption process. This mediator allows the concentrated solution to be extracted easily through the piston without requiring complete absorption by the super absorbent polymer, thus maintaining ease of operation while achieving high concentration fold ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs preliminary action by holding a portion of the sample solution in the holding chamber before the absorption process. This preliminary separation ensures that the concentrated solution can be easily extracted later through the piston, avoiding the difficulty of extracting from a completely absorbed state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a piston with holes is used to extract the concentrated solution, then the ease of extraction is improved, but the particle size control of the super absorbent polymer becomes critical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction of concentrated solutionVSAvoidparticle size of super absorbent polymer
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention specifies precise parameter ranges for the super absorbent polymer particle size (0.1-5.0 mm) to ensure proper function with the piston holes. By controlling this parameter, the device achieves both easy extraction through the piston and maintains the integrity of the absorption process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The piston with holes utilizes hydraulic principles to extract the concentrated solution. The hole size (0.01-0.5 mm) is designed to work with the super absorbent polymer particle size, creating a system where fluid dynamics enable easy extraction while maintaining control over the polymer particles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 allows for the production of a sample solution concentrate with a controlled concentration fold ratio, enhancing examination accuracy by ensuring uniformity and high detection sensitivity.

Implementation Method 1

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

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4212845B1Concentration device, liquid specimen concentration method, liquid specimen inspection method, and inspection kit
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 FUJIFILM CORP
  • EP4212845B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4212845B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4212845B1 patent drawingFigure 3

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.