Cell Dispensing Apparatus With Inertial Flow Stirring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing apparatuses for cell suspensions fail to ensure uniform distribution of cells without damaging them during the dispensing process, as conventional stirring methods can cause cell damage.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing preparation apparatus that includes a reservoir, a tank, a pipe system, a turntable, and a controller, which performs initial stirring by generating inertial flow followed by reverse flow generation to uniformly distribute cells without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional stirring methods are used to homogenize cell suspension, then uniform distribution of cells is achieved, but cells are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing alternating forward and reverse rotation of the turntable. The turntable rotates in a predetermined direction for a first period, then reverses direction for a second period, creating periodic inertial flow that promotes uniform cell distribution without continuous mechanical stress. This periodic motion allows cells to redistribute uniformly while minimizing cumulative damage from sustained unidirectional stirring.
2Productivity
If direct connection between cell suspension reservoir and pipette is used, then continuous dispensing is achieved, but cells are not uniformly distributed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing initial stirring of the cell suspension in the tank before dispensing begins. The turntable rotates to generate inertial flow that uniformly distributes cells throughout the suspension reservoir in advance. This preliminary homogenization ensures that when continuous dispensing starts, the cells remain uniformly distributed throughout the reservoir, maintaining composition stability during high-speed dispensing operations.
3Speed
If pipette tip is positioned close to reservoir opening for efficient dispensing, then dispensing speed is improved, but cells may be damaged during transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing the turntable as a mediating device between the cell suspension reservoir and the dispensing system. The turntable generates controlled inertial flow that gently moves cells through the suspension without direct mechanical contact or harsh positioning. This intermediary mechanism allows efficient cell transfer while the periodic motion prevents direct impact damage that would occur with aggressive pipette positioning.
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
The apparatus effectively manages and dispenses cell suspensions with evenly distributed cells, preventing damage and ensuring consistent quality.
Implementation Method 1
the initial stirring including initial inertial flow generation of the cell suspension followed by reverse flow generation
Implementation Method 2
a pipe connecting the tank and the reservoir, the pipe configured to allow the cell suspension to flow inside from the tank to the reservoir by a pump unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
A dispensing preparation apparatus capable of stirring cell suspension so as not to damage cells is desired. It is solved by the dispensing preparation apparatus including a reservoir configured to accommodate cell suspension, the reservoir having an opening, a discharge tip portion of a pipette repeatedly entering and exiting through the opening, the pipette discharging the cell suspension to a cell accommodating portion, a tank configured to accommodate the cell suspension, a pipe connecting the tank and the reservoir, the pipe configured to allow the cell suspension to flow inside from the tank to the reservoir by a pump unit, a turntable configured to rotate the tank about a rotation axis perpendicular to a bottom surface of the tank, and a controller configured to control rotation of the turntable, the pipe arranged such that an opening at one end of the pipe contacts an inner wall of the reservoir and an opening at another end of the pipe is spaced apart from an inner wall of the tank.