Wave Structure Flow Channel for Single-Particle Capture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-cell capturing technologies, such as those described in Patent Document 1, face issues with cell accumulation in the flow channel, leading to clogging and inconvenient operability due to excessive cell supply, where cells adhere to captured cells, making it difficult to separate them.
Innovation Solution
A single-particle capturing apparatus with a flow channel featuring a wave structure having mountain and valley portions, including a recess portion with a draw-in passage, where the recess depth is less than or equal to the particle diameter, and the pitch between mountain portions is between 2 and 20 times the particle diameter, preventing additional particles from adhering to captured ones by utilizing a central laminar flow and a draw-in passage for efficient particle capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cells are supplied in large quantities to increase capture efficiency, then more cells can be captured, but cell accumulation occurs leading to clogging and reduced operability
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel is segmented into multiple regions with different characteristics: a first flow channel region with a flat bottom surface and a second flow channel region with a protruding portion. This segmentation allows different flow patterns in different regions, enabling efficient cell capture while preventing accumulation. The protruding portion acts as a physical barrier that segments the flow path, preventing cells from accumulating in specific areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the flow channel are given different local qualities: the first flow channel region has a flat bottom surface optimized for cell capture, while the second flow channel region has a protruding portion that creates turbulence and prevents accumulation. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other.
2Manufacturing precision
If cells are trapped in wells to achieve single-cell capture, then single-cell isolation is achieved, but additional cells adhere to captured cells causing accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic flow control by creating turbulence in the second flow channel region using protruding portions. This dynamic flow pattern prevents cells from adhering to captured cells by continuously disrupting the flow, whereas static well structures alone cannot prevent accumulation. The dynamic turbulence ensures that captured cells remain isolated.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding portions in the second flow channel region act as intermediaries that mediate between the cell capture function and the prevention of accumulation. These protrusions create a turbulent flow field that serves as a protective mechanism, preventing additional cells from adhering to captured cells while not interfering with the capture process itself.
3Ease of manufacture
If flow channel structure is simple to maintain ease of manufacture, then manufacturing is easier, but cell accumulation occurs leading to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses protruding portions with curved surfaces in the second flow channel region rather than sharp edges or complex geometries. This curvature design maintains ease of manufacture through standard fabrication processes while effectively creating turbulence to prevent cell accumulation. The smooth curved surfaces are easier to manufacture than angular or irregular structures.
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 design allows for the capture of one particle per recess portion while preventing accumulation, ensuring efficient operation by maintaining a faster flow speed that prevents additional particles from entering the recess, thus maintaining operability and preventing channel clogging.
Implementation Method 1
a phenomenon occurring in a central portion of the liquid flow, the so-called 'fast flow', in which a liquid flows in parallel lines with no mixing between the lines
Implementation Method 2
the specimen is, while being supplied, sucked from the recess portion to an outside via the draw-in passage such that the particle to be captured is captured
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Provided is a single-particle capturing apparatus in which one particle can be captured in one recess portion (16) while preventing another particle from being accumulated on a captured particle. A single-particle capturing apparatus including: a flow channel (12) on a substrate (11), a wave structure with a mountain portion (13) and a valley portion (14) on the flow channel (12), and a recess portion (16) at a top portion (15) of the mountain portion (13), the recess portion (16) including a draw-in passage (17).