Selective Concentration Filter Using Vesicle Membrane

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protein analysis devices face challenges in manufacturing complexity, high costs, and difficulty in accurately analyzing small sample amounts due to the use of nanotechnology, and they often fail to selectively concentrate specific biomolecules.

Innovation Solution

A selective concentration filter is developed using a base with pores coated with a selective permeable membrane comprising vesicles, which utilizes water channel proteins, phospholipid layers, and substance transport proteins to selectively concentrate analytes while allowing other substances to pass through.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a filter uses pore size to concentrate substances, then concentration is achieved, but other unnecessary biomolecules of similar size are also concentrated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentration of analyteVSAvoidselectivity of concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by incorporating specific functional components (water channel proteins, phospholipid layers, substance transport proteins) at particular locations within the membrane structure. These components provide selective permeability based on molecular characteristics rather than uniform pore size filtering, allowing the filter to concentrate analytes with specific properties while excluding others.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple functional elements within the membrane: water channel proteins for water transport, phospholipid layers for selective permeability, and substance transport proteins for specific analyte transport. This composite structure enables selective concentration based on multiple criteria simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Measurement precision

If nanotechnology is used in protein analysis devices, then analysis sensitivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensitivity of protein analysisVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs porous materials with controlled pore structures that enable selective permeability without requiring complex nanotechnology. The porous membrane base combined with biological components achieves sensitive protein analysis through natural selective transport mechanisms, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Measurement precision

If protein analysis devices are designed with high sensitivity sensors, then detection capability is improved, but the devices become expensive and difficult to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by utilizing the membrane's inherent selective permeability properties through biological components that naturally separate and concentrate analytes. This eliminates the need for expensive external sensors, as the membrane itself performs the separation function through its built-in water channel proteins, phospholipid layers, and transport proteins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of manufacture

If a simple pore size filter is used, then manufacturing is easy, but selectivity to concentrate specific biomolecules is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidselectivity of biomolecule concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by incorporating specific functional components (water channel proteins, phospholipid layers, substance transport proteins) at particular locations within the membrane structure. These components provide selective permeability based on molecular characteristics rather than uniform pore size filtering, allowing the filter to concentrate analytes with specific properties while excluding others.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple functional elements within the membrane: water channel proteins for water transport, phospholipid layers for selective permeability, and substance transport proteins for specific analyte transport. This composite structure enables selective concentration based on multiple criteria simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4534186A1Selective concentration filter for sample, method for manufacturing concentration filter, and sample concentration device comprising same
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 CALTH INC
  • EP4534186A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4534186A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4534186A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A concentration filter for selectively concentrating a sample, a method for manufacturing the concentration filter, and a sample concentration device are disclosed herein. The selective concentration filter of the present invention comprises: a base having pores; and a selective permeable membrane which is coated on the base and which comprises vesicles, wherein the selective permeable membrane concentrates an analyte to be analyzed from a sample and allows at least a portion of the remaining substances, other than the analyte, to be permeated through a pore structure. According to the present invention, an analyte to be analyzed can be easily concentrated through a simplified structure.