Acoustic Sample Holder for Viscous Biological Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Biological samples, such as sputum and blood, often contain multiple components that are difficult to separate due to their viscous nature or low concentration of microbes, making it challenging to isolate and analyze specific components like fungal spores or pathogenic microbes.
Innovation Solution
A sample holder with a porous element and focused acoustic energy treatment system that disrupts the sample viscosity, allowing smaller components to pass through while retaining larger ones, and optionally uses different acoustic energy parameters to maintain microbial viability or lyse cells for biomarker release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional separation methods are used on viscous biological samples, then the sample components remain intact, but the separation efficiency is poor due to high viscosity resisting component separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical separation methods with acoustic field-based separation. Acoustic energy is used to manipulate and separate sample components based on their acoustic properties rather than relying on mechanical forces that are hindered by sample viscosity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the sample by adjusting acoustic field parameters (frequency, intensity, waveform) to optimize separation efficiency. By varying these parameters, the system can adapt to different sample viscosities and component properties to achieve effective separation.
2Measurement precision
If traditional separation methods are used on dilute microbial samples, then the sample integrity is maintained, but the separation difficulty increases due to low microbial concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses acoustic field effects instead of complex mechanical separation systems to isolate and detect dilute microbes. The acoustic field can selectively interact with microbial components even at low concentrations, simplifying the separation process while improving detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies localized acoustic energy treatment to specific regions where microbes are concentrated or expected to be found. This localized approach enhances the interaction between acoustic energy and target microbes, improving detection sensitivity without requiring complex system-wide separation mechanisms.
3Productivity
If acoustic energy is applied to disrupt sample viscosity, then smaller components can pass through the porous element, but there is a risk of lysing or destroying the microbes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of acoustic energy parameters during the separation process. By adjusting frequency, intensity, and duration in real-time, the system optimizes disruption of viscous components while protecting microbial integrity, allowing adaptive optimization of the separation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic or pulsed acoustic energy application rather than continuous exposure. This periodic action allows intervals for microbial recovery and prevents cumulative damage that could lead to lysis, while still achieving effective disruption of viscous sample components during active pulses.
4Manufacturing precision
If the porous element pore size is reduced to prevent microbial passage, then separation selectivity improves, but the flow rate through the element decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces purely size-based mechanical filtration with acoustic field-assisted separation. The acoustic field provides the driving force for fluid flow through the porous element, compensating for the reduced flow rate caused by smaller pore sizes and enabling high selectivity without sacrificing throughput.
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
Effectively separates and processes sample components, enabling the recovery of intact microbes for culturing and the collection of biomarkers, improving the analysis of biological samples by maintaining sample integrity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Focused acoustic energy may disrupt or otherwise treat a sample in the inlet side of the interior space, e.g., to solubilize, liquefy or otherwise reduce a viscosity of the sample
Implementation Method 2
The porous element and the substrate mount may be arranged so that with the porous element engaged with the substrate mount, any fluid in the interior space must pass through the porous element to move between the inlet side and outlet side of the interior space
Data Source
AI summary
A sample holder and method for separating components of a viscous sample, such as a sputum sample, in a vessel having a porous element. Liquid may be flowed through the vessel during acoustic energy treatment, which may disrupt the viscous sample. Smaller components of the sample may pass through the porous element with liquid introduced into the vessel. Larger components, such a microbes, may be captured by the porous element and may remain intact and viable for subsequent analysis. The porous element may be removable from the vessel to recover the microbes.