Gas-liquid separation device and bionic system
By designing a gas-liquid separation device with a perforated tubular cap and a hydrophobic layer in the biomimetic system, the problem of liquid condensation during gas supply was solved, improving the reliability and experimental accuracy of the biomimetic system and reducing costs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511076385.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-02-27
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-01
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-07
AI Technical Summary
In biomimetic systems, liquids tend to condense in the tubing during the gas supply to organ wafers, leading to experimental errors and increased costs, a problem that is difficult to solve effectively with existing technologies.
Design a gas-liquid separation device comprising a container, an exhaust pipe, a sprayer, and a tubular cap. The wall of the tubular cap has multiple through holes and is made of a hydrophobic layer material to prevent aerosols from condensing in the pipeline. Large-sized aerosols are condensed in the container through the through holes, ensuring that small-sized aerosols reach the organ wafer.
This effectively prevents aerosols from condensing in the organ wafer tubing, improving the reliability and experimental accuracy of the biomimetic system and reducing experimental costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN120900330A_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates to a gas-liquid separation device, in particular, a gas-liquid separation device for a bionic system and a bionic system using the same. BACKGROUND
[0002] In the field of medical drug development, especially in the field of physiological factor or drug development, in order to ensure the actual effect, animal experiments will be carried out before actual human experiments. However, because there are still physiological differences between animals and humans, and the living habits of test subjects may be different, errors often occur in experiments, and a large amount of cost is consumed, so the relevant industry tries to develop organ chips (OoC) that simulate human organ tissues, and bionic systems that set organ chips in artificial environments to simulate human environments.
[0003] There are various types of organ chips and related bionic systems, which can simulate objects such as skin, gastrointestinal tract, liver, and lungs. Among them, the bionic system simulating the lungs not only simulates blood supply but also simulates gas supply, so it is more difficult to simulate and still needs to be further developed. SUMMARY
[0004] The present application provides a gas-liquid separation device applied to a bionic system, which can avoid liquid condensation in the pipeline supplying gas to the organ chip, and improve the reliability of the bionic system.
[0005] To achieve the above advantages, an embodiment of the present application provides a gas-liquid separation device for a bionic system, comprising: a container, an exhaust pipe, a sprayer, and a tubular cover. The container has a storage space and a mounting hole. The exhaust pipe is arranged in the mounting hole and has an exhaust port, and the exhaust port communicates with the storage space. The sprayer is connected to the container and is adapted to provide aerosol to the storage space. The tubular cover is arranged in the storage space and covers the exhaust port, and the wall surface of the tubular cover has a plurality of through holes.
[0006] In an embodiment, the surface of the tubular cover is a hydrophobic layer.
[0007] In an embodiment, the hydrophobic layer is a biocompatible material.
[0008] In an embodiment, the container includes an upper cover, and the tubular cover tapers from one end adjacent to the upper cover to the other end.
[0009] In an embodiment, the tubular cover has a closed end at the end away from the upper cover.
[0010] In an embodiment, the diameter of the through hole is between 1-5 mm.
[0011] In one embodiment, the distance between the holes is between 0.4 and 0.6 mm.
[0012] In one embodiment, the container further has an air inlet, which is in communication with the storage space.
[0013] One embodiment of the present application provides a gas-liquid separation device for a bionic system, comprising a container, a sprayer, and a tubular cover. The container has a storage space and an exhaust port, and the storage space is in communication with the exhaust port. The sprayer is connected to the container and is adapted to provide aerosols to the storage space. The tubular cover is arranged in the storage space and covers the exhaust port, and the wall of the tubular cover has a plurality of through holes.
[0014] One embodiment of the present application provides a bionic system, comprising an organ chip, a gas supply source, and the above-mentioned gas-liquid separation device. The gas-liquid separation device is in communication with the organ chip, and the gas supply source is in communication with the gas-liquid separation device.
[0015] With the above description, the gas-liquid separation device of the present application can make the larger and more easily condensed part of the aerosols of different sizes produced by the sprayer condense on the tubular cover and collect in the container first, and only allow small-sized aerosols to pass to the organ chip, so that the aerosols will not condense into water droplets in the pipeline leading to the organ chip to hinder the gas supply of the organ chip, thereby improving the reliability of the bionic system using the gas-liquid separation device of the present application.
[0016] In order to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the present application more apparent, specific embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a bionic system in one embodiment of the present application;
[0018] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a gas-liquid separation device in one embodiment of the present application; Figure 1
[0019] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a tubular cover in one embodiment of the present application; Figure 2
[0020] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the shape of a through hole of a tubular cover in one embodiment of the present application; Figure 2
[0021] Figure 5 FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a gas-liquid separation device in another embodiment of the present application.
[0022] In the drawings:
[0023] 100: bionic system
[0024] 1: organ wafer
[0025] 2: gas-liquid separation device
[0026] 21: container
[0027] 21A, 21A': upper cover
[0028] 211: first mounting hole
[0029] 212: air inlet
[0030] 213: second mounting hole
[0031] 214: air outlet
[0032] 215: mounting tube
[0033] 21B: bottle body
[0034] S: storage space
[0035] 22: sprayer
[0036] 221: storage groove
[0037] 222: passage
[0038] 223: vibration piece
[0039] 224: piezoelectric element
[0040] 23: tubular cover body
[0041] 23A: first component
[0042] L1: first section
[0043] L2: second section
[0044] 231: neck portion
[0045] 232: combined block
[0046] 233: vent hole
[0047] 234: protrusion
[0048] 23B: second component
[0049] 235: wall surface
[0050] 235a, 235b, 235c, 235d: through hole
[0051] 236: end surface
[0052] 24: exhaust pipe
[0053] 241: air outlet
[0054] 3: Gas supply source
[0055] 31: Gas pipeline Detailed Implementation
[0056] In the following text, the terms used in the description of embodiments according to the present invention, such as "upper" and "lower" indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are for convenience in describing the present invention only and are not intended to limit the invention; that is, they do not indicate or imply that the mentioned elements must have a specific orientation or be constructed in a specific orientation. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" mentioned in this specification or the claims are only used to name elements or distinguish different embodiments or scopes, and are not used to limit the upper or lower limit of the number of elements. The terms "connection" and "coupling" mentioned in this specification or the claims can refer to two elements where no other elements exist or where other elements exist between them.
[0057] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a biomimetic system in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a gas-liquid separation device. Figure 3 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the tubular cap.
[0058] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a biomimetic system 100 in one embodiment of the present invention includes: an organ wafer 1, a gas-liquid separation device 2, and a gas supply source 3. The gas-liquid separation device 2 is connected to the organ wafer 1 and includes: a container 21, an exhaust pipe 24, a sprayer 22, and a tubular cap 23. The container 21 has a storage space S and a mounting hole (first mounting hole 211). The exhaust pipe 24 is disposed in the mounting hole (first mounting hole 211) and has an exhaust port 241, which is connected to the storage space S. The sprayer 22 is connected to the container 21 and is adapted to provide aerosol to the storage space S. The tubular cap 23 is disposed within the storage space S and covers the exhaust port 241; the wall surface 235 of the tubular cap 23 has a plurality of through holes 235a. The gas supply source 3 is connected to the gas-liquid separation device 2.
[0059] The type of bionic system 100 is determined, for example, by the type of organ wafer 1 and the required culture environment. In this embodiment, organ wafer 1 is, for example, a device for culturing human lung tissue, and bionic system 100 is, for example, a system that simulates the environment of human lungs. In other embodiments of the present invention, organ wafer 1 and bionic system 100 may also be devices and systems that simulate human tissues in environments that can be exposed to ambient gases, such as the respiratory tract.
[0060] In an embodiment of the present application, the bionic system 100 can further comprise a liquid supply system (not shown) in addition to the aforementioned gas supply system for simulating human lung respiration by the gas supply source 3 and the gas-liquid separation device 2 with the nebulizer 22, which is used to provide the organ wafer 1 with liquid to simulate the blood circulation system of the lung.
[0061] In succession, the gas supply source 3 of the present embodiment is adapted to drive the aerosol suspended in the storage space S into the exhaust port 241. The gas supply source 3 is connected to the gas-liquid separation device 2, for example, through the gas delivery pipe 31. The type of the gas supply source 3 is not particularly limited, which can be a gas cylinder or a compressor. The gas supply source 3, for example, provides gas at a constant pressure, but is not limited thereto. The gas provided by the gas supply source 3 can be air, inert gas, or a mixture of specific component gas and specific component gas. The pressure of the gas can be adjusted according to the needs, for example, to simulate the air pressure of the lung respiration.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the container 21, for example, comprises an upper cover 21A and a bottle body 21B. Figure 2
[0063] The bottle body 21B forms the storage space S of the container 21, which is adapted to collect the aerosol that does not enter the exhaust port 241 or the condensate of the aerosol. The shape of the bottle body 21B is not particularly limited, for example, a cylindrical container 21. The material of the bottle body 21B is not limited, for example, a material that allows the user to directly observe the storage space S in order to remove the condensate, for example, glass.
[0064] The upper cover 21A is adapted to cover the bottle body 21B and is connected to the gas delivery pipe 31, the nebulizer 22, and the exhaust pipe 24 connected to the organ wafer 1. As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the exhaust pipe 24, for example, is directed to the side of the upper cover 21A, enters the storage space S through the first mounting hole 211 of the side wall of the upper cover 21A, but is not limited thereto. Figure 2
[0065] In the present embodiment, the gas and aerosol in the storage space S exit the storage space S through the exhaust port 241 and move to the organ wafer 1. The arrangement relationship and position of the exhaust port 241 can be adjusted according to the needs. In the present embodiment, the exhaust port 241 can be arranged on the exhaust pipe 24 or the upper cover 21A (detailed later), and the gas and aerosol in the storage space S, for example, enter the exhaust pipe 24 through the exhaust port 241 of the exhaust pipe 24 or the exhaust port 241 of the upper cover 21A and move to the organ wafer 1, but are not limited thereto. The material of the upper cover 21A is not particularly limited, for example, can be made of a material that is not easily biologically contaminated.
[0066] In this embodiment, the upper cover 21A has, for example, an air inlet 212 communicating with the gas supply source 3, a first mounting hole 211 through which the supply and exhaust pipes 24 pass, and a second mounting hole 213 for mounting the sprayer 22. The first mounting hole 211 is provided, for example, on the side wall of the upper cover 21A, and the second mounting hole 213 and the air inlet 212 are provided on the top of the upper cover 21A (the top of the storage space S).
[0067] The exhaust pipe 24 passes through one end of the first mounting hole 211, which is, for example, a closed end. The exhaust port 241 is, for example, located on the side wall of the end of the exhaust pipe 24 passing through the first mounting hole 211, and its extending direction is different from the extending direction of the pipe body of the exhaust pipe 24 passing through the first mounting hole 211. However, the extending direction of the exhaust port 241 is the same as the extending direction of the second mounting hole 213 and the air inlet 212, for example, towards the bottom of the bottle body 21B (the bottom of the storage space S), but is not limited thereto. This prevents gas or aerosol entering the storage space S from being directly sprayed onto the exhaust port 241.
[0068] In this embodiment, the sprayer 22 is located, for example, between the exhaust port 241 and the air inlet 212. Although in this embodiment the position of the second mounting hole 213 for providing aerosol to the storage space S is different from the position of the air inlet 212, so that the airflow provided by the air inlet 212 does not blow directly towards the second mounting hole 213 and the exhaust port 241, the present invention does not limit the connection relationship between the air inlet 212 and the sprayer 22. In embodiments not shown in the figures, the air inlet 212 may be provided on the wall of the second mounting hole 213 or in the flow channel of the sprayer 22, so that the gas supplied by the gas supply source 3 enters the storage space S through the second mounting hole 213.
[0069] like Figure 2 As shown, although the type of sprayer 22 of the present invention can be selected according to needs, the sprayer 22 in this embodiment is, for example, having a storage tank 221 located above, a channel 222 located below the storage tank 221 and communicating with the storage space S, a vibrating plate 223 located between the channel 222 and the storage tank 221, and a piezoelectric element 224 located at the bottom of the storage tank 221 and connected to the vibrating plate 223 to drive the vibrating plate 223 to vibrate.
[0070] Storage tank 221 is suitable for storing the liquid required for aerosol production. The type and composition of the liquid can be determined based on the environment or test content simulated by the biomimetic system 100, and may include water, suspended particles, irritating chemicals, or pharmaceutical components. After passing through sprayer 22, the liquid forms an aerosol containing the aforementioned components.
[0071] The piezoelectric element 224 connects to the vibrating plate 223 and a power supply (not shown) and is suitable for driving the vibrating plate 223 to vibrate. The type of piezoelectric element 224 can be selected according to requirements.
[0072] The vibrating plate 223 is, for example, a thin sheet with multiple small holes (not shown). The aperture of the small holes corresponds to the physical properties of the liquid in the storage tank 221, such as viscosity or surface tension, so that the liquid in the storage tank 221 can only enter the channel 222 from the storage tank 221 through the small holes on the vibrating plate 223 and form an aerosol when the vibrating plate 223 vibrates.
[0073] Therefore, the sprayer 22 of this embodiment does not require an additional gas supply during the aerosol production process and is less likely to cause changes in the gas pressure in the storage space S.
[0074] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the tubular cap 23 is, for example, a tube extending from one end near the upper cover 21A to the opposite end. The length of the tubular cap 23 in its extending direction is not particularly limited, but it is, for example, below the opening of the channel 222 of the sprayer 22 and does not contact the bottom of the storage space S. The inner and outer diameters of the tubular cap 23 can be set according to manufacturing requirements, but the inner diameter is, for example, correspondingly larger than the aperture of the exhaust port 241. The wall thickness 235 of the tubular cap 23 is, for example, 0.8-2 mm, specifically, 0.8 mm, 0.9 mm, 1 mm, 1.1 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.6 mm, 1.7 mm, 1.8 mm, 1.9 mm, or 2 mm, but is not limited thereto.
[0075] like Figure 3 As shown, the tubular cover 23 in this embodiment includes, for example, a first component 23A and a second component 23B.
[0076] The first component 23A is, for example, tubular, and has a neck 231 and a connecting block 232. The neck 231 has, for example, a first segment L1 and a second segment L2 along its extension direction, with the outer diameter of the first segment L1 being, for example, larger than that of the second segment L2. The neck 231 is adapted to be fitted onto the exhaust port 241. The first component 23A has a vent 233 that passes through the neck 231 (the first segment L1 and the second segment L2).
[0077] Continuing from the above, in this embodiment, the first component 23A is provided with a connecting block 232 at one end of the first segment L1 of the neck 231 near the second segment L2. The connecting block 232 is, for example, in a ring shape surrounding the second segment L2 of the neck 231. The radial inner wall surface of the connecting block 232 is spaced from the second segment L2 of the neck 231, and the radial outer wall surface of the connecting block 232 is adapted to engage the inner wall surface of the second component 23B.
[0078] The second component 23B is, for example, snapped into the assembly block 232. The second component 23B is, for example, a barrel-shaped tube that tapers from one end adjacent to the top cover 21A (the top of container 21) toward the other end. The wall surface 235 of the second component 23B (e.g., the side wall surface of the second component 23B) has a through hole 235a, the extension direction of which is, for example but not limited to, different from the extension direction of the tube of the second component 23B (e.g., perpendicular).
[0079] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the shape of the through hole 235a is not limited and can be circular (see...). Figure 4 Through hole 235a), hexagonal (see Figure 4 Through hole 235b), square (see Figure 4 Through-hole 235c), elongated (see Figure 4 One or a combination thereof (through hole 235d).
[0080] In one embodiment of the invention, the through holes 235a on different sides of the second component 23B are, for example, opposite to each other, such that the extension directions of the through holes 235a on different sides are the same and they are located on the same straight line. However, in another embodiment, the extension directions of the through holes 235a on different sides of the second component 23B are the same but they are located on different straight lines. The diameter of the through holes 235a is, for example, smaller than the diameter of the vent hole 233, and between 1 and 5 mm, such as, but not limited to, 1 mm, 1.5 mm, 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm, 4.5 mm, or 5 mm. The hole spacing between these through holes 235a is, for example, between 0.4 and 0.6 mm, such as, but not limited to, 0.4 mm, 0.45 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.55 mm, or 0.6 mm.
[0081] In this embodiment, the second component 23B has an end face 236 at one end, for example, away from the top cover 21A. The end face 236 is a closed end, for example, without the through hole 235a, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the tubular cover 23 may also be a cone or bullet shape without the end face 236.
[0082] In this embodiment, the tubular cap 23 is made of, for example, stainless steel, iron, aluminum, or plastic, or a combination thereof. The surfaces of the tubular cap 23 (the inner and outer surfaces of the second component 23B and the wall of the through-hole 235a) are covered with a hydrophobic layer, for example, with a water contact angle greater than 95°. The hydrophobic layer is, for example, a layer made of a biocompatible material, such as parylene, but is not limited thereto.
[0083] The tubular cap 23 connects the organ wafer 1 and the container 21 through the vent 233 of the first component 23A and the through hole 235a of the second component 23B, as shown. Figure 3In the present embodiment, the extension direction of the vent hole 233 is different (e.g. perpendicular) from the extension direction of the through hole 235a, but this is not a limitation.
[0084] In this way, the tubular cover 23 can quickly and directionally remove the liquid condensed on the wall surface 235 of the tubular cover 23 through the through hole 235a, the tapered tubular shape, and the hydrophobic layer, and avoid the blockage of the through hole 235a. In this way, the condensed aerosol removed by the tubular cover 23 can be collected in the storage space S.
[0085] It should be understood that in an embodiment of the present application, the extension direction of the air inlet 212 and the extension direction of the sprayer 22 are different from the extension direction of the air outlet 241, for example, they do not intersect with each other, and the aerosol is indirectly driven into the tubular cover 23 by the airflow generated by the gas supply source 3, which can avoid the aerosol with a large volume and easy to condense into liquid in the exhaust pipe 24 from entering the exhaust pipe 24. In addition, with respect to Figure 2 In the present embodiment, in an embodiment not shown in the figure, the air inlet 212 and the sprayer 22 can be located on the side wall of the container 21, and the first mounting hole 211 can be provided on the top of the upper cover 21A, so that the extension directions of the air inlet 212, the sprayer 22 and the first mounting hole 211 partially intersect. The above is only an example, and the present application does not have specific limitations on whether the air inlet 212 and the sprayer 22 are directed towards the air outlet 241 and the like.
[0086] Figure 5 This is a schematic view of the gas-liquid separation device in another embodiment of the present application. As Figure 5 In the present embodiment, the design of the tubular cover 23 and the sprayer 22 is the same as that of the previous embodiment, and only the shape of the upper cover 21A' of the container 21 and the connection mode of the exhaust pipe 24 are different.
[0087] Specifically, as Figure 5 In the present embodiment, the wall on the top of the upper cover 21A' is provided with an air outlet 214 penetrating through the upper cover 21A'. The tubular cover 23 covers the air outlet 214. The extension direction of the air outlet 214 is, for example, directed towards the bottom of the container 21. The upper cover 21A' is, for example, extended with a mounting pipe 215 on the outer wall surface, which is in communication with the air outlet 214, and the mounting pipe 215 is adapted to be connected with the exhaust pipe 24 (not shown). Figure 5 The extension direction of the mounting pipe 215 is not limited and can be set according to requirements. The second mounting hole 213, the air inlet 212 and the air outlet 241 are, for example, provided on the same side of the upper cover 21A, and specifically, for example, located on the top of the upper cover 21A (the top of the storage space S).
[0088] In a similar Figure 5In the embodiment in which the exhaust pipe 24 does not enter the container 21, the exhaust port 214 can also be provided on the side wall of the upper cover 21A' by changing the shape of the first part 23A of the tubular cover 23, for example, to an L shape.
[0089] With the above description, the gas-liquid separation device of the present application, because the tubular cover with a through hole is provided on the exhaust port of the container, can make the larger and more easily condensed part of the aerosol of different sizes produced by the sprayer condense on the tubular cover and collect in the container first, and only allow the small-sized aerosol to pass to the organ wafer, thus preventing the aerosol from condensing into water droplets in the pipeline to the organ wafer and hindering the gas supply to the organ wafer, and improving the reliability of the bionic system using the gas-liquid separation device of the present application.
[0090] Although the present application has been disclosed with the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present application, and those skilled in the art can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application, and therefore the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the appended patent claims.
Claims
1. A gas-liquid separation device, characterized by, A biomimetic system, comprising: a container having a storage space and a mounting hole; an exhaust pipe disposed in the mounting hole and having an exhaust port, the exhaust port being in communication with the storage space; a nebulizer connected to the container and adapted to provide an aerosol to the storage space; and a tubular cover disposed in the storage space and covering the exhaust port, the tubular cover having a plurality of through-holes on its wall surface.
2. The gas-liquid separation device of claim 1, wherein, wherein the surface of the tubular cover is a hydrophobic layer.
3. The gas-liquid separation device of claim 2, wherein, wherein the hydrophobic layer is a biocompatible material.
4. The gas-liquid separation device of claim 1, wherein, wherein the container includes an upper cover, the tubular cover being tapered from an end adjacent to the upper cover to the other end.
5. The gas-liquid separation device of claim 4, wherein, wherein the tubular cover is closed at an end away from the upper cover.
6. The gas-liquid separation device of claim 1, wherein, wherein the through-holes have a diameter of 1-5 mm.
7. The gas-liquid separation device of claim 1, wherein, wherein the through-holes have a pitch of 0.4-0.6 mm.
8. The gas-liquid separation device of claim 1, wherein, wherein the container further has an air inlet port in communication with the storage space.
9. A gas-liquid separation device, characterized by, A biomimetic system, comprising: a container having a storage space and an exhaust port, the storage space being in communication with the exhaust port; a nebulizer connected to the container and adapted to provide an aerosol to the storage space; and a tubular cover disposed in the storage space and covering the exhaust port, the tubular cover having a plurality of through-holes on its wall surface.
10. A biomimetic system, comprising: an organ-on-a-chip; a gas-liquid separation device in communication with the organ-on-a-chip, comprising: a container having a storage space and a mounting hole; an exhaust pipe disposed in the mounting hole and having an exhaust port, the exhaust port being in communication with the storage space; a nebulizer connected to the container and adapted to provide an aerosol to the storage space; and a tubular cover disposed in the storage space and covering the exhaust port, the tubular cover having a plurality of through-holes on its wall surface; and a gas supply source in communication with the gas-liquid separation device.