System and method for refilling cryogen in microscope cryogen holders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryogen refilling systems for microscopes, such as dewars, have limited capacity and require frequent manual refilling, leading to inefficiencies, potential specimen damage, and limited automatic data acquisition time due to weight restrictions and the need for manual recalibration.
Innovation Solution
A cryogen refilling system with a reservoir assembly, delivery channel, sensor-lid assembly, and controller that automatically detects cryogen levels and temperature changes to initiate refilling, using gravity or pressure feeding, and includes a support frame for precise positioning and efficient cryogen delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual refilling of dewar is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to frequent interruptions and limited automatic data acquisition time
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-refilling of the dewar through a robotic arm that detects cryogen levels and autonomously transfers cryogen from a storage reservoir to the dewar, eliminating the need for manual intervention and extending automatic data acquisition time
Solution Approach 2:
The refilling system is divided into separate functional modules including a sensor assembly for level detection, a robotic arm for cryogen transfer, and a controller for coordination, allowing independent optimization of each component while maintaining overall system functionality
2Productivity
If dewar capacity is increased to reduce refilling frequency, then productivity improves, but weight restrictions of microscope parts are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the size and weight of the dewar in the microscope, the system adds a vertical storage dimension with an overhead reservoir and uses a robotic arm to transfer cryogen, effectively increasing capacity without adding weight to the microscope's moving components
Solution Approach 2:
A robotic arm serves as an intermediary mechanism between the fixed storage reservoir and the moving dewar, enabling cryogen transfer without requiring the dewar itself to be larger or heavier
3Reliability
If manual refilling is performed, then device complexity is low, but reliability decreases due to potential specimen damage and dislocation during refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic refilling system performs cryogen top-up without manual intervention, eliminating human contact with the specimen and preventing potential damage from manual opening, closing, or accidental dislocation of the dewar
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly continuously monitors cryogen levels in advance, triggering automatic refilling before the dewar is completely empty, ensuring continuous cryogen coverage and preventing specimen exposure to unsafe temperatures
4Productivity
If frequent manual refilling is required, then productivity is reduced, but loss of time increases due to technician availability constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic refilling system ensures continuous operation of the microscope by autonomously replenishing cryogen levels without stopping data acquisition, eliminating interruptions and maximizing microscope utilization time
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly provides real-time feedback on cryogen levels to the controller, which automatically initiates refilling when levels drop, creating a closed-loop system that maintains continuous operation without technician monitoring
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
Enables extended automatic data acquisition without manual intervention, reduces the risk of specimen damage, and increases operational efficiency by maintaining consistent cryogen levels in microscope cryogen holders.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature of the second end the probe element changes when the first end is in contact with liquid cryogen in the microscope cryogen holder compared to when the first end is not in contact with liquid cryogen
Implementation Method 2
using gravity or pressure feeding
Implementation Method 3
using gravity or pressure feeding
Implementation Method 4
maintaining the sample at temperatures well below −160° C. to prevent devitrification
Implementation Method 5
a cryogen (such as liquid nitrogen or liquid helium) is stored in an insulated container mounted to one end of the specimen holder, typically identified as a dewar
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogen refilling system includes a reservoir assembly for holding cryogen and a delivery channel in fluid communication with the reservoir assembly for delivering cryogen from the reservoir assembly to a microscope cryogen holder. The delivery channel includes at least one control valve. The system also includes a sensor-lid assembly and a controller. The sensor-lid assembly includes a sensor assembly configured to detect a level of cryogen in the microscope cryogen holder. The controller is configured to receive sensor data from the sensor assembly, analyze the sensor data to determine whether the microscope cryogen holder requires refilling, and in response to determining that the microscope cryogen holder requires refilling, cause a valve control mechanism to open the at least one control valve of the delivery channel.