Soft Magnetic Separator With Tapered Pole For Biological Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic separator devices for sorting magnetically labeled biological objects face limitations in throughput and contamination issues, with existing designs either restricting sample volume or introducing contaminants due to the use of ferromagnetic materials.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic separator device featuring a soft magnetic center pole with tapered tips and side poles, a channel plate, and a magnetic flux source, which concentrates magnetic flux to enhance magnetic field strength and gradient, allowing for efficient sorting without contamination by using a non-magnetic channel plate and a soft magnetic top shield to manage magnetic flux.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If ferromagnetic materials are used in magnetic separator devices to concentrate magnetic flux, then magnetic field strength and gradient are improved, but contamination issues arise and throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes ferromagnetic materials from the magnetic separator device and replaces them with soft magnetic materials. This extraction eliminates the source of contamination while maintaining the ability to concentrate magnetic flux through the soft magnetic center pole and side poles, which can be easily demagnetized after use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the magnetic properties of the separator device by using soft magnetic materials with specific characteristics (high permeability, low coercivity) instead of ferromagnetic materials. This parameter change allows the device to concentrate magnetic flux during operation but easily lose magnetization afterward, preventing contamination and enabling continuous high-throughput operation.
2Productivity
If conventional magnetic separator designs are used to concentrate magnetic flux, then sorting efficiency is improved, but sample volume is restricted and throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the magnetic field generation into multiple independent components: a center pole and multiple side poles, each capable of concentrating magnetic flux independently. This segmentation allows the device to handle larger sample volumes by distributing the magnetic sorting function across multiple poles rather than relying on a single concentrated field region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional magnetic field concentration to a three-dimensional configuration with a central pole surrounded by multiple side poles. This dimensional expansion creates multiple magnetic field zones that can simultaneously process larger sample volumes while maintaining high sorting efficiency through the channel plate.
3Measurement precision
If magnetic flux is concentrated in conventional devices, then magnetic field gradient is improved, but device complexity increases due to ferromagnetic pole structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material construction where soft magnetic materials are combined with non-magnetic structural materials. The soft magnetic center pole and side poles provide magnetic flux concentration, while the channel plate and housing use non-magnetic materials. This composite approach achieves high magnetic field gradient without the complexity of traditional ferromagnetic structures.
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 achieves high magnetic field and gradient concentrations within the channel, enabling efficient sorting of magnetically labeled biological objects while minimizing contamination risks and maintaining high throughput.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic flux source for generating magnetic flux in the soft magnetic center pole and the first and second soft magnetic side poles
Implementation Method 2
The first and second soft magnetic side poles respectively having first and second top ends that bend inward toward the soft magnetic center pole with a first outward side of the first top end and a second outward side of the second top end being substantially coplanar
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic device for processing biological objects including a soft magnetic center pole having a bottom end and a tapered tip end; first and second soft magnetic side poles disposed on opposite sides of the soft magnetic center pole and respectively having first and second bottom ends, the first and second soft magnetic side poles respectively having first and second top ends that bend inward toward the soft magnetic center pole with a first outward side of the first top end and a second outward side of the second top end being substantially coplanar; a magnetic flux source generating magnetic flux in the soft magnetic center pole and the first and second soft magnetic side poles; and a channel plate having a channel embedded therein and a first planar surface that is operable to be in contact with or in close proximity to the first and second outward sides.