Superabsorber Concentration of Target Substances in Sample Liquid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for concentrating target substances, particularly biomolecules, in low-concentration samples are complex, time-consuming, and inefficient, especially for large-volume samples, as they often require expensive equipment and labor-intensive processes like ultracentrifugation or PEG precipitation, which can also compromise the quality of nucleic acid isolation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of superabsorbers to absorb polar constituents of the sample liquid, forming a gel or hydrogel, which reduces the sample volume and allows for the concentration of target substances, enabling subsequent analysis or further concentration in cascading stages, simplifying the process and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional methods (ultracentrifugation, PEG precipitation) are used to concentrate target substances, then concentration capability is improved, but process complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the bulk of the liquid phase using a pipette, leaving only a small volume containing the concentrated target substance. This simple extraction approach replaces complex conventional methods like ultracentrifugation and PEG precipitation, achieving concentration without requiring sophisticated equipment or multi-step procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the liquid sample into two distinct phases: a bulk liquid phase that is removed, and a concentrated phase containing the target substance. This segmentation allows the target substance to be isolated in a small volume through simple decantation, avoiding the need for complex separation equipment.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional concentration methods are applied to large-volume samples, then concentration capability is improved, but processing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simple extraction approach where the bulk liquid is removed by pipetting, leaving a small concentrated volume. This method is particularly efficient for large-volume samples because it requires no complex equipment and can be performed rapidly through manual or automated pipetting, dramatically reducing processing time compared to conventional methods.
3Quantity of substance
If PEG precipitation method is used, then concentration is achieved, but nucleic acid isolation quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent avoids using PEG precipitation entirely, instead employing a simple liquid removal approach where the bulk liquid is pipetted off, leaving the concentrated target substance in a small volume. This eliminates the problem of PEG interfering with subsequent nucleic acid isolation, maintaining high quality while achieving concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a simple, disposable pipetting approach instead of complex, reusable PEG precipitation systems. This simple method avoids introducing contaminants or interfering substances that would compromise nucleic acid isolation quality, while being equally effective for 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 method effectively concentrates target substances by reducing sample volume, allowing for direct analysis or further processing, and can be repeated in cascading stages, significantly simplifying the concentration of biomolecules in large-volume samples, enhancing the efficiency and quality of nucleic acid isolation.
Implementation Method 1
adding a superabsorber to an initial volume of liquid of the sample liquid or adding the volume of liquid to the superabsorber, incubating the mixture obtained by mixing the superabsorber and the volume of liquid over a first period
Implementation Method 2
the superabsorber takes up liquid, in particular a polar constituent of the sample liquid, such as, for example, water or another polar solvent, forming a gel or hydrogel
Data Source
AI summary
A method for concentrating at least one target substance in a sample liquid comprises adding a superabsorber to an initial volume of liquid of the sample liquid or adding the volume of liquid to the superabsorber, incubating, over a first period, the mixture obtained by mixing the superabsorber and the volume of liquid, and removing a first sample of the liquid portion of the mixture present after incubation.