Microfluidic V-Chamber Aperture for Sample Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for chromatographic and liquid-liquid separation face challenges with low volume samples due to large sorption surfaces and dead volumes, leading to reduced sample yield and analysis bias, particularly in submicrolitre volumes, and lack suitable devices for parallel processing of small sample volumes.
Innovation Solution
A device with a V- or U-shaped chamber having apertures of 1-100 micrometers, hydrophilized or hydrophobized for selective separation, allowing pressure-driven separation of immiscible liquids without a frit or filter, enabling efficient processing of nanoliter volumes and parallel processing of multiple samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a porous barrier (frit/filter/membrane) is used to prevent sorbent outflow, then the structural integrity of the column is maintained, but the dead volume and sorption surface increase, leading to sample loss and analysis bias
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the porous barrier (frit/filter/membrane) from the chromatographic column entirely. Instead, it uses a valve mechanism that directly controls the flow of mobile phase and analytes through the sorbent bed, eliminating the barrier that causes dead volume and sample adsorption losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a valve as an intermediary component between the mobile phase reservoir and the sorbent bed. This valve controls fluid flow without requiring a porous barrier, thereby preventing sample loss while maintaining structural integrity through active flow control rather than passive filtration.
2Reliability
If conventional chromatographic columns with frits are used, then sorbent retention is achieved, but dead volume increases which irreversibly binds sample components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the frit from the column system. Sorbent retention is achieved not by a physical barrier but by optimizing the valve mechanism to control flow rates that prevent sorbent displacement, thereby eliminating dead volume that would otherwise cause irreversible sample binding and analysis errors.
3Quantity of substance
If large volume columns are used for chromatographic separation, then adequate sorbent capacity is provided, but the device complexity and sample volume requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operational parameters by using a valve-controlled flow system that allows for precise control of mobile phase flow rates. This enables the use of smaller column volumes with sufficient sorbent capacity, as the optimized flow parameters prevent channeling and ensure efficient use of the reduced sorbent volume.
4Reliability
If manual liquid-liquid separation techniques are used, then phase separation is achieved, but parallel processing of multiple samples is precluded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the liquid-liquid separation process into multiple independent microcolumns, each equipped with its own valve. This allows multiple samples to be processed in parallel, with each microcolumn handling one sample independently while maintaining effective phase separation through the valve-controlled flow mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal platform where multiple identical microcolumn units can be connected to a single control system. Each unit performs the same separation function independently, enabling parallel processing of multiple samples through a unified system architecture that maintains separation effectiveness across all channels.
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 enhances sample yield and reduces analysis bias by minimizing dead volume and irreversible binding, allowing efficient separation of low volume samples and enabling parallel processing of tens to thousands of samples without the need for frits or filters.
Implementation Method 1
The aperture in the first (upper) chamber is located at the tip or at the lowest point of the V- or U-shaped bottom... at least the surface of each aperture is hydrophilized or hydrophobized... causing the liquid fraction having the same chemical hydrophilic or hydrophobic nature, respectively, as the hydrophilic or hydrophobic nature of the aperture surface, respectively, to pass through the aperture
Implementation Method 2
The centrifugal force is commonly applied in chromatographic separation by spin microcolumns... application of overpressure, vacuum (negative pressure) or centrifugal force
Implementation Method 3
application of pressure force on the system in the first chamber causing the liquid fraction... to pass through the aperture into the next chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a device and method for separation of components of a sample, in particular for pressure separation of immiscible or liquid systems with limited miscibility, comprising at least one first chamber with a U- or V-shaped bottom, wherein at least one aperture with a diameter within the range of 1 to 100 µm, preferably 1 to 40 µm, is provided in the first chamber and wherein at least the surface of each aperture is hydrophilized or hydrophobized. The device further comprises a second chamber surrounding the outside of the bottom of the first chamber. The invention also provides a method for separating components of a sample using this device and additionally enables parallel arrangement for plurality of separating conditions and serial arrangement for plurality of separated samples at the same time.