Stationary Filter Cell Concentration via Pressure Differential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample preparation devices face challenges in efficiently concentrating cells for analysis, as they often leave behind non-target cells and require repetitive piston movement, leading to inefficiencies in the concentration process.
Innovation Solution
A sample preparation device with a filter member and receptacles configured to apply negative and positive pressures, allowing for efficient separation and concentration of target cells without moving the filter, thereby reducing non-target cell remnants and shortening the concentration process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the piston is inserted into the storage chamber to concentrate cells, then the concentration of target cells increases, but liquid cannot be completely aspirated and non-target cells remain in the chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the filter from the piston structure and makes it a separate, stationary filter member. This allows the filter to remain in place while liquid is completely removed through the filter by the aspiration tube, solving the problem of incomplete liquid removal while maintaining high target cell concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the filter (by inserting/removing the piston) to achieve concentration, the invention inverts the approach by making the filter stationary and using pressure differential (aspiration) to move the liquid through the filter. This allows complete liquid removal while the filter remains in place.
2Quantity of substance
If the piston is moved up and down many times to concentrate cells, then the concentration of target cells increases, but the concentrating process takes time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables continuous liquid removal through the stationary filter by applying negative pressure via the aspiration tube. This continuous aspiration process concentrates target cells in a single operation rather than requiring multiple repetitive piston movements, significantly reducing the concentrating process time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical piston movement system with a pressure differential system (aspiration tube applying negative pressure). This substitution eliminates the need for repetitive mechanical insertion and removal of the piston, streamlining the concentration process into a single continuous action.
3Loss of substance
If the aspiration tube is used to remove liquid that leaked into the piston, then some liquid is removed, but it is difficult to completely aspirate the liquid in the storage chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a stationary filter member as an intermediary between the storage chamber and the aspiration tube. The filter allows liquid to pass through to the aspiration tube while retaining target cells, enabling complete liquid removal. The filter acts as a mediator that facilitates thorough aspiration while maintaining cell concentration.
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
This configuration enables complete aspiration of liquids and quick concentration of target cells, increasing the efficiency of generating a concentrated sample for analysis, which enhances the accuracy of cell analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a negative pressure section configured to apply a negative pressure into the second receptacle, thereby to move the sample in the third receptacle toward the filter and thereby to move components other than the analysis target into the second receptacle via the filter
Implementation Method 2
a positive pressure section configured to apply a positive pressure into the second receptacle, thereby to move the concentrated sample in the second receptacle into the third receptacle
Implementation Method 3
a filter member including a filter configured to separate cells being an analysis target from other components in a sample
Data Source
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AI summary
[Object] Provided is a sample preparation device capable of efficiently generating a sample having an increased concentration of cells being the analysis target, a cell analyzer provided therewith, and a filter member. [Solution] The sample preparation device includes: a filter member including a filter configured to separate cells being an analysis target from other components in a sample; a first receptacle and a second receptacle configured to be connected to each other via the filter; a third receptacle capable of holding the sample therein; a communication hole formed in the first receptacle and configured to allow the sample to go into and out of the first receptacle; a flow path configured to allow the third receptacle to be communicated with the communication hole; a negative pressure section configured to apply a negative pressure into the second receptacle, thereby to move the sample in the third receptacle toward the filter via the flow path and the first receptacle, and thereby to move components other than the analysis target into the second receptacle via the filter; and a positive pressure section configured to apply a positive pressure from the second receptacle side to the filter to which cells being the analysis target are attached.