Porous Membrane Sperm Separation for Remote Motility Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional male fertility analysis methods require patients to physically travel to a testing facility within a narrow time window, leading to logistical challenges and reduced accuracy due to time constraints and environmental factors affecting sperm motility.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for remote pre-processing of male fertility samples using a chamber with a porous membrane to separate motile sperm, allowing for remote collection and transport of motile and non-motile sperm portions, enabling quantitative analysis at a testing facility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional semen analysis is performed in a laboratory setting requiring patients to travel within a narrow one-hour time window, then quantitative semen analysis can be performed with proper equipment, but patient availability and lab accessibility become major constraints and sample transfer processes reduce sperm motility and quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary separation of motile sperm from the semen sample at the collection site using a porous membrane device before transport. This preliminary action allows the sample to be processed in stages, with the critical separation step completed locally, thereby extending the effective time window for analysis and reducing the impact of transport delays on overall sample quality
Solution Approach 2:
The analysis process is segmented into two distinct phases: (1) local separation of motile sperm using the porous membrane device at the collection site, and (2) subsequent quantitative analysis at the laboratory. This segmentation allows different locations to perform optimized functions, with the collection site handling time-sensitive separation and the laboratory handling precise measurement, thereby resolving the contradiction between accessibility and precision
2Reliability
If buffers are used to maintain sperm viability during transport to the lab, then sperm survival may be improved, but the buffers become ineffective, temperature fluctuations occur, and transport durations extend unexpectedly leading to insufficient results
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the critical function of sperm separation and concentration from the transport process itself. By using the porous membrane to separate motile sperm at the collection site, the system removes the vulnerability of transporting entire semen samples, allowing only the separated motile sperm to be transported in a controlled manner, thereby reducing the impact of transport time and environmental fluctuations
Solution Approach 2:
The porous membrane acts as an intermediary device that enables selective passage of motile sperm while retaining non-motile sperm and seminal fluid. This intermediary structure allows the system to achieve reliable sperm separation without relying on buffer effectiveness or precise temperature control during transport, as the separation has already occurred before the vulnerable transport phase
3Ease of operation
If microfluidics devices are used for at-home qualitative assessment of sperm parameters, then patient convenience is improved, but the devices operate on a small portion of the sample causing loss of quantitative information and producing non-quantifiable or subjective results
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the key parameter of sample processing by using a porous membrane-based separation mechanism instead of microfluidics. This parameter change enables the device to process larger sample volumes effectively, allowing both qualitative assessment and quantitative measurement to be performed on sufficient sample material, thereby achieving both convenience and precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the microfluidics mechanical system with a porous membrane-based separation system. This substitution allows gravity-driven flow through the membrane without requiring complex microfluidic channels, enabling the device to handle larger sample volumes and provide both qualitative and quantitative results with improved measurement precision while maintaining at-home convenience
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
Provides accurate, quantitative data on sperm motility independent of time and environmental factors, improving the reliability and convenience of male fertility testing.
Implementation Method 1
the porous membrane is configured to act as a migration path for a motile portion of an aliquot of a male fertility sample loaded into the chamber via the inlet to move into media loaded into the second portion
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for male fertility analysis may include: loading an aliquot of a male fertility sample into a chamber of an analysis system via an inlet, the chamber having an opening covered over by a porous membrane and a concave bottom opposite the opening; introducing media so that the membrane acts as a migration path for motile sperm; removing the media and a motile portion of the aliquot from the system into a container; sealing the container; and transporting the sealed container and a remainder of the male fertility sample to a testing facility. The testing facility may: determine a first concentration of the portion of the sample from the first container; determine a second concentration of the remainder; and estimate a percentage of total motile sperm for the sample based on the first concentration, the second concentration, and a predetermined relationship between portions and remainders of samples.