Transparent Support for Cell Filtration Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for examining filtration residues, especially thin membranes, are time-consuming and require high experimental skill, making them unsuitable for routine and cost-effective use in medical diagnostics, such as detecting circulating tumor cells, which necessitates a simpler and more cost-effective solution for optical analysis and isolation.
Innovation Solution
A process involving filtration through a porous membrane supported by a transparent body with a matching refractive index optical medium for optical detection and isolation of cells, allowing for serial microscopic or fluorescence microscopy examinations using standard equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the filter membrane is removed from the filtration device and placed on the slide for microscopic examination, then the filter residue can be examined microscopically, but the process requires high experimental deftness and is very time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the filtration device with the microscopic examination system by integrating a transparent support structure that holds the filter membrane in place. This merging eliminates the need to manually remove and transfer the membrane to a separate slide, thereby reducing process time and experimental skill requirements while maintaining microscopic examination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a transparent support structure as an intermediary between the filtration device and the microscopic examination system. This support structure serves as a mediator that allows the filter membrane to be held and examined microscopically without requiring manual transfer to a separate slide, thus reducing both time and skill requirements
2Measurement precision
If the filter membrane is removed and placed on the slide, then microscopic examination can be performed, but high experimental skill is required especially for thin membranes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the filtration and examination functions by integrating the transparent support structure into the filtration device, allowing the membrane to be examined in situ without manual handling. This eliminates the need for high experimental skill in membrane manipulation while preserving microscopic examination capability
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent support structure acts as an intermediary that simplifies the operation by providing a stable, integrated platform for holding thin membranes during microscopic examination, eliminating the need for skilled manual handling that would otherwise be required
3Ease of manufacture
If a transparent supporting body with matching refractive index optical medium is used, then optical analysis can be performed with standard equipment, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent supporting body with matching refractive index optical medium serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the filter membrane, enables optical transparency for microscopic examination, and eliminates the need for specialized holders or adapters. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity and cost while enabling use with standard equipment
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 approach enables efficient and cost-effective optical analysis and isolation of cells, facilitating their detection and subsequent molecular diagnostic examination, particularly suitable for circulating tumor cells, by simplifying the process and reducing the need for specialized expertise.
Implementation Method 1
application of a liquid optical medium which has essentially the same refractive index as the supporting body
Data Source
AI summary
A process is disclosed for detecting cells in a liquid sample, which includes: i) filtration of the liquid sample through a porous membrane which is suitable for retaining detectable cells, where at least one subregion of a support is configured as transparent supporting body and the membrane is arranged over its area on the transparent supporting body in such a way that detectable cells are retained on at least part of the surface of the membrane and that at least part of the sample liquid passes through the membrane, ii) application of a liquid optical medium which has essentially the same refractive index as the supporting body, and iii) optical measurement of at least a subarea of the membrane in order to detect detectable cells.