Biologic Sample Stimulation System with Movable Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biologic sample conditioning systems are inefficient due to the limited ability to customize mechanical stimulation profiles, as they often require a single actuator for all samples and do not allow for continuous stimulation, leading to underutilization of expensive motor components and inflexibility in research applications.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a single motor to move between multiple biologic sample chambers, allowing for customizable mechanical stimulation profiles with adjustable parameters such as duration, frequency, and type of stimulation, and enabling 'time-shifting' of stimulation periods to optimize motor usage and accommodate varying sample needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single actuator is used for all biologic samples, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and productivity deteriorate due to inability to customize stimulation profiles and idle time during rest periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically assigns actuators to different sample chambers based on stimulation requirements and timing. The actuator allocation is not fixed but changes over time to match sample conditioning schedules, allowing continuous utilization while maintaining customization capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to actuator allocation by implementing multiple actuator stages that can be positioned at different time points. This allows the system to serve multiple samples simultaneously at different stages of their conditioning protocols, transforming a single-dimension sequential process into a multi-dimensional parallel process
2Device complexity
If a single actuator is used for all biologic samples, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to idle time during rest periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning of multiple actuator stages at different time points before the actual stimulation is needed. This allows actuators to be ready to immediately engage with samples as they complete their rest periods, eliminating idle time and ensuring continuous productive operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous actuator utilization by orchestrating multiple samples through different stages of conditioning simultaneously. As one sample enters its rest period, another sample is being stimulated, ensuring the actuator is always engaged in useful work without interruption
3Device complexity
If all biologic samples undergo the same loading timing, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to accommodate differences in sample properties
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by allowing each sample chamber to have customized stimulation parameters including duration, frequency, and timing based on the specific properties of the biologic sample being tested. Each location in the system can be independently configured to match local sample requirements
4Productivity
If continuous mechanical stimulation is applied to all samples, then productivity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to provide rest periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conditioning process into distinct stimulation and rest phases that can be independently controlled for different samples. This segmentation allows the system to provide continuous overall productivity while accommodating individual sample needs for rest periods within their specific protocols
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for applying mechanical stimulation to a biologic sample includes a first biologic sample chamber having a biologic sample holder therein, a support structure for holding the first biologic sample chamber, and a first actuator that can supply a mechanical load to a biologic sample held by the biologic sample holder. The actuator is configured to move into a first position proximate to the chamber in which the actuator can transmit the load to the biologic sample via a first transmission path that includes the biologic sample holder. A controller is configured to automatically move the first actuator into the first position.