Adjustable Cell Colony Scraper for Tissue Culture Vessel Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell colony collection devices are inefficient in accessing the entire interior surface of tissue culture vessels, particularly the corners and areas near the opening, leading to significant loss of viable cells due to damage during the scraping process.
Innovation Solution
A laboratory device comprising a handle, rod, and blade head with ergonomic design features such as indents, protrusions, and gears that allow for adjustable extension and rotation, enabling effective scraping of cell colonies from hard-to-reach areas without causing damage to the cell walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manually rotating blade head with adjustable extension and rotation is used, then access to hard-to-reach areas is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade head is designed with manual rotation capability and adjustable extension, transforming a static scraping tool into a dynamic one that can adapt to different positions and angles within the tissue culture vessel, enabling access to previously unreachable areas
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: handle, rod with adjustable extension, and rotating blade head. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall capability of accessing and scraping all interior surfaces
2Productivity
If a larger blade head is used, then scraping efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade head combines multiple functional elements into a single integrated component: the scraping blade, the rotation mechanism, and the extension adjustment feature are merged into one unit that performs multiple functions simultaneously, improving efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity
Data Source
AI summary
The laboratory device includes an elongated handle with ergonomic grips. The device has a center recess for a rod to slide or rotate. The blade head attaches at the distal end of the elongated handle. The rod has geared teeth that interact and mesh with the gears on the blade head allowing the user to manipulate the angle of the blade head via rod. The rod in the proximal position of the handle is disposed at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle such that the blade head and handle are positioned for insertion into and removal of a tissue culture vessel. When the rod is moved distally or rotated the blade head position is disposed perpendicularly, acute or obtusely in relationship to the longitudinal axes of the handle such that the blade head provides optimal raking opportunities for the device to collect cell colonies.