Thinned Optical Fiber for Selective Cell Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to effectively screen and study diseased cells without damaging normal cells, making it difficult to target and extract diseased cells for research or treatment.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber surface electric field screening apparatus is developed, featuring a thinned optical fiber with a negative electric charge, which attracts and extracts diseased cells with a positive electric charge, aided by an electric field generating apparatus to enhance extraction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods are used to kill diseased cells, then diseased cells are eliminated, but normal cells are also damaged and immune system is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is thinned to a specific diameter (15 μm or less) at a localized region to create a concentrated electric field only at the thinned part, while the rest of the fiber maintains its structural integrity. This localized modification enables selective interaction with diseased cells without affecting normal cells throughout the entire fiber length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the optical fiber by thinning it to a specific diameter range (15 μm or less), which fundamentally alters the electric field distribution and enables generation of negative electric charges on the surface. This parameter change transforms the fiber from a passive transmission medium to an active cell separation tool.
2Measurement precision
If diseased cells are studied by observing appearance, then only cells with visible differences can be identified, but most diseased cells cannot be distinguished from normal cells
Solution Approach 1:
The thinned optical fiber acts as an intermediary that translates the invisible electric charge characteristics of diseased cells into detectable mechanical extraction. By utilizing the electric field interaction between the thinned fiber surface and charged cell surfaces, the system makes invisible biological properties observable and actionable.
3Reliability
If optical fiber is thinned to generate negative electric charge for cell extraction, then diseased cells can be selectively extracted, but particle adsorption may hinder optical signal transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary functional property (electric charge generation) from the optical fiber by thinning it locally, while maintaining the optical transmission capability in the unthinned regions. The thinned part serves as the active extraction zone, while the rest of the fiber continues to guide optical signals, separating the extraction function from the transmission function.
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 apparatus allows for the selective extraction of diseased cells and bacteria from normal cells without damaging them, improving the accuracy and efficiency of cell separation and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a negative electric charge is generated on a surface of the thinned part... the diseased cell having a surface with a positive electric charge is extracted by the thinned part
Implementation Method 2
the electric field generating apparatus is provided with a high-voltage power supply, a positive electrode of the high-voltage power supply is electrically connected to a conductive structure to power the conductive structure to generate an electric field
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber surface electric field screening apparatus, comprising an extractor, the extractor being provided with an optical fiber, the optical fiber being prepared so as to form in the middle thereof a thinned part having a diameter of 15 μm or less, causing a surface of the thinned part to generate a negative electric charge, capable of being used to attract a cell having a surface carrying a positive electric charge, e.g., attracting a cardiac cell, an endothelial cell or a bacterium to surround the thinned part, achieving the effect of screening and extracting cells.