Sperm Separation Insert for Motility-Based Swim-Up Filtration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for isolating motile sperm from semen samples, such as centrifugation and density gradient centrifugation, cause damage to sperm cells, are time-consuming, costly, and require specialized training, leading to reduced fertilization and pregnancy success rates.
Innovation Solution
A test tube insertable spermatozoa separation device with a sperm separating member that allows motile sperm to swim-up through pores while restricting non-motile sperm, using filtration methods and gradients to promote healthy sperm movement, and can be held in place using various positioning and sealing mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centrifugation swim-up is used to separate motile sperm, then highly motile sperm are obtained, but intracellular reactive oxygen species increase causing sperm DNA fragmentation and apoptosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical centrifugation system with a chemical gradient system. Instead of using centrifugal force to separate sperm, the invention employs a density gradient medium that allows motile sperm to swim upward through the gradient while non-motile sperm remain at the bottom, eliminating the harmful mechanical stress and reactive oxygen species generation associated with centrifugation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a density gradient medium as an intermediary substance between the sperm sample and the separation process. This gradient medium serves as a selective environment that promotes natural sperm motility-based separation without the need for external mechanical forces, thereby protecting sperm integrity while achieving effective separation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If density gradient centrifugation is used to separate motile sperm, then purified motile sperm with lower DNA fragmentation are obtained, but the process is significantly more costly and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful centrifugation step from the separation process while retaining the beneficial density gradient principle. By removing the time-consuming centrifugation mechanism and keeping only the essential gradient-based separation, the invention achieves rapid separation without compromising sperm quality or increasing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation mechanism from mechanical (centrifugal force) to chemical/biological (density gradient and sperm motility). This parameter change transforms a complex, time-consuming centrifugation process into a simple, rapid swim-up procedure that maintains sperm integrity while significantly reducing processing time
3Productivity
If traditional centrifugation methods are used, then sperm separation is achieved, but sperm cells are damaged reducing fertilization success rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the damaging mechanical centrifugation system with a gentle chemical gradient system that relies on sperm's own motility for separation. This substitution eliminates mechanical stress on sperm cells while maintaining separation efficiency, thereby preserving fertilization potential
4Measurement precision
If specialized training and expensive equipment are used for sperm separation, then accurate separation is achieved, but the process becomes complex and inaccessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, disposable density gradient tube that can be used without specialized equipment or extensive training. The disposable nature of the tube ensures accuracy while eliminating the need for expensive, complex centrifugation equipment, making the procedure accessible and easy to perform
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the separation system to be self-regulating through the natural density gradient and sperm motility. The gradient medium automatically creates the separation environment without requiring complex mechanical controls or specialized operator skills, simplifying the process while maintaining accuracy
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 efficiently isolates motile sperm with minimal damage, reducing contamination risks and labor time, and is suitable for both human and animal applications, including assisted reproductive technologies.
Implementation Method 1
progressively motile sperm are desired for use with assisted reproductive technologies (ART)... the isolation of motile sperm from semen samples, which is critical for high pregnancy rates in fertility treatments
Implementation Method 2
cellular and/or other debris from the semen sample are maintained in the lower cavity, below the separating filter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A motility-based spermatozoa separation device has a hollow cylindrical body that includes an internal passageway. The hollow cylindrical body is configured for insertion into a test tube having a semen sample placed therein. A sperm separating member is disposed in the internal passageway. When the hollow cylindrical body is inserted into the test tube, the sperm separating member divides the test tube into an upper cavity and a lower cavity. A suitable media can be inserted in the internal passageway (e.g., the media flowing downwardly through the sperm separating member and onto the semen sample located in the lower cavity) placing the lower cavity in fluid communication with the upper cavity. Progressively motile spermatozoa from the semen sample can swim from the lower cavity toward the sperm separating member, swimming upwardly therethrough, and into the upper cavity to be obtained therefrom.