Asymmetric Channel Design for Flow Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electroporation or electrofusion processes, especially for larger volumes, the formation of gas bubbles due to electrolysis disrupts the flow and can cause backflow, leading to unreproducible results and increased cell mortality.
Innovation Solution
The device features an inlet channel with a smaller average inner diameter than the outlet channel, creating a pressure gradient that stabilizes the flow and prevents backflow, with optional constrictions or adjustable valves to enhance this effect, and includes design features like arched outlet channels to prevent bubble accumulation and ensure safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inlet channel has the same diameter as the outlet channel, then the device structure is simple, but gas bubbles cause backflow and disrupt flow direction
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet channel is designed with a smaller diameter than the outlet channel, creating an asymmetric structure. This asymmetry generates a pressure gradient that maintains unidirectional flow and prevents backflow of gas bubbles into the chamber, thereby improving flow direction stability without requiring complex additional components.
2Quantity of substance
If electroporation or electrofusion is performed in larger volumes, then more cells can be treated, but gas bubble formation disrupts flow and causes backflow
Solution Approach 1:
By making the inlet channel smaller than the outlet channel, a pressure gradient is established that prevents backflow even when treating larger volumes. This asymmetric design ensures that gas bubbles generated during electrofusion or electroporation do not disrupt the flow direction, maintaining reliability while enabling larger scale treatment.
3Reliability
If the inlet channel is narrowed, then backflow is prevented, but the pressure drop may affect fluid introduction
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet channel is narrowed relative to the outlet channel to create a pressure gradient that prevents backflow. The asymmetric diameter design ensures that the pressure drop across the inlet channel is sufficient to maintain unidirectional flow and prevent gas bubbles from entering the chamber, while the larger outlet channel compensates for the pressure loss.
4Productivity
If repeated pulsing is used to treat larger volumes, then more cells can be processed, but flow direction may become unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric channel design with a smaller inlet and larger outlet creates a persistent pressure gradient that maintains flow direction stability even during repeated pulsing cycles. This allows higher throughput by enabling multiple treatment cycles while preventing backflow and ensuring consistent unidirectional flow through the chamber.
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 configuration ensures a directed flow through the chamber, prevents backflow, and maintains the integrity of the treatment process, reducing cell mortality and ensuring reproducibility by maintaining a consistent flow direction and preventing gas bubbles from re-entering the chamber.
Implementation Method 1
the average inner diameter of the inlet channel is smaller than the average inner diameter of the outlet channel... creating a pressure gradient that stabilizes the flow and prevents backflow
Implementation Method 2
the chamber having at least two electrodes for generating an electric field in the chamber
Implementation Method 3
During electroporation, the foreign molecules are introduced into the cells from an aqueous solution... by means of a short-term current flow... whereby the effect of the short electrical pulses Cell membrane is made permeable for the foreign molecules
Implementation Method 4
Cells, cell derivatives, subcellular particles and/or vesicles can also be fused by briefly applying a strong electric field... In this so-called electrofusion, for example, the cells are first brought into close membrane contact by means of an inhomogeneous alternating electric field. Subsequent application of an electric field pulse causes the membrane parts to interact, which ultimately leads to fusion
Implementation Method 5
the formation of gas bubbles through electrolysis, in addition to the heating of the suspension, is a significant problem
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~5e
AI summary
The invention relates to a device 1 with at least one electrode 8 for generating an electric field in a chamber 7, comprising at least one inlet channel 6 for introducing a fluid into the chamber 7 and at least one outlet channel 11 for draining the fluid from the chamber 7. The invention further relates to a method for stabilizing the flow of a fluid through a chamber 7 in which an electric field is generated and which has at least one inlet channel 6 for introducing the fluid into the chamber 7 and at least one outlet channel 11 for draining the fluid from the chamber 7. To avoid the undesirable effect of fluid backflow due to gas formation, the average inner diameter of the inlet channel 6 in the device 1 according to the invention is smaller than the average inner diameter of the outlet channel 11.