Bubble Flow Control for Particulate Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing particulate sampling methods, such as cell sorters using waterdrop charging and laser-based optical force, face issues like cell damage from electric charges or laser irradiation, and require complex mechanisms like ultrasound devices and electrodes, leading to increased size and cost.

Innovation Solution

A particulate sampling apparatus that controls the flow direction of particulates using a bubble generated in a dispersion solvent by irradiation with a laser beam, eliminating the need for ultrasound devices and electrodes, and minimizing cell damage by using a bubble to alter flow resistance in channel branching sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If waterdrop charging system is used for cell sorting, then cell sampling can be achieved, but cells may be damaged by electric charges and apparatus size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell sampling efficiencyVSAvoidcell damage from electric charges

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical field-based waterdrop charging system with a thermal field-based laser heating system. The laser beam heats the dispersion solvent to generate bubbles that physically push cells into collection channels, eliminating direct electrical contact with cells while maintaining sorting functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces bubbles as an intermediary medium between the laser energy and the cells. The laser heats the solvent to create bubbles that indirectly manipulate cell position and flow direction, avoiding direct energy exposure to cells and reducing damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If laser beam irradiation is used for optical force sampling, then cell sampling can be achieved, but cells may be damaged by laser irradiation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell sampling efficiencyVSAvoidcell damage from laser irradiation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the dispersion solvent and generated bubbles as intermediaries between the laser beam and cells. The laser heats the solvent to create bubbles that physically move cells, rather than the laser directly acting on cells with optical force, thereby reducing cellular damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition of the dispersion solvent from liquid to vapor to generate bubbles. This phase change creates a mechanical pushing force that redirects cell flow without requiring the laser to directly interact with cells, reducing laser-induced damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Productivity

If ultrasound generating device and deflecting electrodes are used, then cell sorting can be achieved, but apparatus size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell sorting capabilityVSAvoidapparatus size and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the ultrasound generating device and deflecting electrodes from the system. Instead, it uses a simple laser beam to heat the dispersion solvent and generate bubbles that perform the cell sorting function, significantly simplifying the apparatus structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical and electrical components (ultrasound device and electrodes) with an optical-thermal system. The laser beam creates thermal effects in the dispersion solvent that generate bubbles for cell manipulation, eliminating complex hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 efficient and cost-effective sampling of cells with reduced damage, eliminating the need for complex mechanisms and allowing for smaller, less expensive apparatus designs while maintaining high sampling efficiency and integration.

Implementation Method 1

a bubble generation unit for generating a bubble in the dispersion solvent by irradiation with a laser beam L2 used as a heat source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 2

the flow direct-on of the dispersion solvent at the channel branching section is controlled by the bubble

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBubble-induced flow control: Bubble

Data Source

PatentUS8127624B2Particulate sampling apparatus, particulate sampling substrate and particulate sampling method

Publication Date: 2012.03.06 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A particulate sampling apparatus configured to control the flow direction of a dispersion solvent for particulates, at a channel branching section of a channel includes an introduction channel capable of introducing the dispersion solvent, and a plurality of branch channels communicating with the introduction channel, so as to disperse desired ones of the particulates into a selected one of the branch channels, wherein the apparatus includes light irradiation means by which a bubble can be generated in the dispersion solvent by irradiation with a laser beam used as a heat source, and the flow direction of the dispersion solvent at the channel branching section is controlled by the bubble.