Focused Acoustic Droplet Ejection for Precise Sequential Sample Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sample manipulation and analysis in life science research and clinical diagnostics suffer from low analyte transport efficiency, high sample consumption, cross-contamination, and inability to generate droplets of appropriate size and trajectory, limiting high-throughput mass spectrometry and requiring manual intervention for fluid switching.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing focused acoustic radiation, or tonebursts, to generate subwavelength droplets by applying a first toneburst to raise a fluid mound and subsequent tonebursts to break it into controlled droplets, enabling rapid and efficient sample delivery to analytical devices without consumables and minimizing cross-contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If nebulizer and spray chamber are used to produce and sort droplets, then droplet generation is achieved, but control over droplet size distribution and trajectory is lost, resulting in low yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical nebulizer-spray chamber system with an acoustic field-based droplet generation system. Focused acoustic radiation (tonebursts) is used to generate droplets directly from a fluid reservoir, eliminating the need for mechanical nebulization components and providing precise control over droplet size and trajectory through acoustic focusing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in acoustic parameters (frequency, amplitude, focal position) to control droplet generation. By adjusting the acoustic radiation parameters, the system can precisely control droplet size distribution and trajectory, achieving high yield of appropriately sized droplets with correct trajectory for mass spectrometry analysis.
2Productivity
If capillary submersion is used for sample delivery, then fluid transport is achieved, but sample waste increases due to wetting of large exterior surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the capillary-based mechanical fluid transport system with an acoustic field-based droplet ejection system. Focused acoustic radiation generates droplets that are directly ejected from the fluid reservoir through the capillary or onto a target, eliminating the need for capillary submersion and the associated sample waste from wetting large exterior surfaces.
3Productivity
If capillary is used for multiple sample introductions, then sample transfer is achieved, but cross-contamination occurs requiring washings between samples
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the capillary-based mechanical fluid handling system with an acoustic field-based droplet ejection system. Each droplet is generated and ejected through focused acoustic radiation, eliminating contact with previous samples and preventing cross-contamination. The acoustic field can be rapidly repositioned to generate droplets from different samples without requiring washing steps.
4Manufacturing precision
If acoustic radiation is focused near fluid surface to generate droplets, then droplet ejection is achieved, but focus must be maintained as fluid height changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic focus tracking system that automatically adjusts the acoustic radiation focus position as the fluid height changes in the reservoir. This dynamic adjustment maintains optimal focusing conditions throughout the droplet generation process, ensuring consistent droplet size and trajectory even as the fluid level decreases during sequential ejection.
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 method enhances sample throughput, reduces waste, and allows direct extraction from standard containers, eliminating the need for human intervention, thereby improving instrument productivity and sample analysis speed.
Implementation Method 1
a first toneburst is applied to temporarily raise a mound on a free surface of the fluid
Implementation Method 2
subsequent tonebursts to break it into controlled droplets
Implementation Method 3
a second toneburst is applied to the mound to break it into a plurality of droplets
Data Source
AI summary
Focused acoustic radiation, referred to as tonebursts, are applied to a volume of liquid to generate a set of droplets. In one embodiment, a first toneburst is applied to temporarily raise a mound or protuberance on a free surface of the fluid. After the mound has reached a certain state, at least two additional toneburst can be applied to the protuberance to sequentially eject multiple bursts of multiple droplets. In one embodiment, the state of the mound can be maintained by a sustained acoustic signal, during which time multiple additional tonebursts can be applied to sequentially eject multiple bursts of multiple droplets from the mound.