Sample Pretreatment Module Magnetic Mixing Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sample pretreatment methods for fluid samples, especially in lab-on-a-chip or lab-on-a-tip systems, face challenges with precision and accuracy due to the small sample volumes, leading to operator errors and difficulties in maintaining uniform pressure and efficient mixing and heating.
Innovation Solution
A sample pretreatment module with a cylindrical chamber, a cap, and a discharge tip, utilizing a magnetic force for mixing and a mechanical drive to minimize errors, maintain uniform pressure, and ensure precise sample discharge, featuring a penetration membrane and a venting line to control pressure changes and facilitate efficient heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual pretreatment using pipette or dropper is used, then the pretreatment process can be performed, but operator errors occur and precision is poor due to very small sample volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (pipetting, dropper usage) with an automated magnetic driving system. Magnetic beads functionalized with capture molecules are used to automatically bind and concentrate target analytes from the sample, eliminating manual handling errors and improving precision in very small sample volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-assembling magnetic bead-conjugate complexes that automatically bind target molecules from the sample without operator intervention. The magnetic beads self-organize and concentrate the analyte through magnetic field application, providing reliable, repeatable results independent of operator skill.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional mixing methods are used, then mixing can be performed, but mechanical drive causes errors and the mixing effect is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical mixing (vortexing, shaking) with magnetic field-driven mixing. Magnetic beads suspended in the sample are rotated or agitated by applying alternating magnetic fields, achieving thorough mixing without mechanical contact or drive mechanisms that could introduce errors.
3Temperature
If conventional heating methods are used, then heating can be performed, but heat transfer capacity is low and heating time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional thermal conduction heating with magnetic field-induced heating. Alternating magnetic fields cause magnetic beads to undergo rapid magnetization-demagnetization cycles, generating heat directly within the sample matrix through hysteresis loss and Néel relaxation, achieving rapid and uniform heating without external heat sources.
4Quantity of substance
If sample is discharged without pressure control, then discharge can occur, but sudden pressure changes cause sample outpouring and quantity control is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pressure sensing feedback during the discharge process. A pressure sensor monitors the internal pressure of the sample container in real-time, and when a threshold is approached, the system automatically adjusts or pauses discharge to maintain pressure within safe limits, preventing uncontrolled outpouring and ensuring precise quantity control.
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 module reduces operator errors, ensures accurate and uniform sample pretreatment, allows for easy mixing and discharge, maintains pressure stability, and enhances reaction efficiency by rapid heating and efficient heat transfer, while minimizing mechanical drive usage and ensuring a fixed sample quantity post-treatment.
Implementation Method 1
the mixing effect of the sample is increased by using the magnetic force and the mechanical drive is minimized
Implementation Method 2
heat the sample to the desired temperature within a short time to increase the mixing and reaction efficiency of the sample by increasing the thermal transfer capacity for the sample in the chamber
Implementation Method 3
maintain and control the pressure in the chamber uniformly so as to prevent the outpouring of the sample even in sudden changes of the pressure in the chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a sample pretreatment module and a sample pretreatment method using the same. The sample pretreatment module and the sample pretreatment method using the same according to the present invention can minimize the errors that may occur when the operator manually proceeds, and ensure accuracy and uniformity in the pretreatment and test results of the sample. Accordingly, mixing and discharging of the sample can be performed easily, thereby, enhancing the convenience of the operation and providing a user-friendly experimental environment. In addition, the pressure in the chamber can be uniformly maintained and adjusted so as to prevent the outpouring of the sample even in a sudden pressure change in the chamber and the sample can be heated to a desired temperature within a short time by increasing the heat transfer ability for the sample contained in the chamber, thereby, increasing mixing and reaction efficiency. Further, the mixing effect of the sample can be increased by using the magnetic force, the mechanical driving can be minimized, and the sample can be discharged after the pretreatment.