Sample Preparation Device for Analytical Concentration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for analyzing biologically active substances, such as blood, bone marrow, and urine samples, are inefficient and costly due to the need for dilution, leading to inaccurate measurements, especially when dealing with small sample quantities and high matrix interference.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that isolate and concentrate substances by 'flushing' them out of their matrix using a minimal amount of liquid, either by washing, dissolving, or extracting, allowing direct delivery to analytical instruments in a highly concentrated form, minimizing matrix interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If substances are extracted using known liquids and media as carrier, then substances can be transported to measuring devices, but measurement precision deteriorates due to matrix interference and dilution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidconcentration of substances
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential component (substance to be analyzed) from the sample matrix using a minimal amount of liquid, separating it from interfering matrix components. This selective extraction delivers a concentrated substance solution to the measuring device, improving measurement precision by eliminating matrix interference while maintaining high substance concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the concentration parameter by using a minimal amount of liquid for extraction, thereby concentrating the substance in the extract. This parameter change ensures that the substance is delivered in high concentration to the measuring device, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and substance concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If samples are diluted for transport to measuring devices, then substances can be transported in solution form, but analysis time increases and measurement accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis timeVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs extraction directly in the sample container using a minimal amount of liquid, eliminating the need for dilution and transfer steps. This direct extraction approach reduces analysis time while delivering concentrated substances to the measuring device, thereby improving both productivity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the extraction and transport steps into a single operation by delivering the extract directly from the sample container to the measuring device. This merging of steps eliminates intermediate dilution and transfer operations, reducing analysis time while maintaining high substance concentration for accurate measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If small amounts of sample are used, then sample consumption is reduced, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to insufficient substance quantity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of sampleVSAvoidmeasurement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the concentration parameter by using a minimal amount of extraction liquid, thereby concentrating the substance in the extract. This parameter change ensures that even small sample amounts yield sufficient concentrated substance for reliable measurement, resolving the contradiction between sample quantity and measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs selective extraction of the substance from the sample matrix using a minimal amount of liquid, maximizing the concentration of the substance in the extract. This efficient extraction ensures that sufficient analyte is obtained from small sample amounts, maintaining measurement reliability while minimizing sample consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables precise and reliable analysis of small sample amounts by delivering substances in a highly concentrated state directly to measuring devices, reducing analysis time and improving measurement accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a) by washing out, dissolving or extracting with a liquid (e.g. a solvent or extractant)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

dissolving or extracting with a liquid (e.g. a solvent or extractant)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP2457086B1Method and device for preparing substances for qualitative and quantitative analyses
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 CAMAG
  • EP2457086B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2457086B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2457086B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and a device for preparing a qualitative and quantitative analysis of samples are described. The device makes it possible to delimit and isolate a certain region of a solid or liquid sample. Liquid, for example a solvent or an extracting agent, is added in the delimited and isolated region. Thereafter, the resulting mixture of the substance and fluid is pressed out of the enclosed region in a plug-shaped manner using a neutral or the same liquid and fed to the measuring instrument in the form of a highly concentrated solution.