Cell Puncture Device with Vibration Damping for Cell Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cell puncture devices cause significant vibration of the needle during high-speed puncture, leading to damage to the cell wall and reduced survival rates of cells, which affects the accurate evaluation of chemical solutions or substance extraction.

Innovation Solution

A cell puncture device with a vibration damper arranged to suppress needle vibration, utilizing a driver with a piezoelectric element and a regulator to control movement direction, and vibration-damping surfaces to absorb energy, reducing fluctuations and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-speed puncture is performed to improve productivity, then puncture speed increases, but needle vibration increases causing cell damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepuncture speedVSAvoidneedle vibration causing cell damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration damper is pre-installed on the needle assembly before puncture operation. This damping structure absorbs and dissipates vibration energy generated during high-speed puncture, protecting the cell from vibration-induced damage while maintaining high puncture speed. The cushioning effect is activated automatically during the puncture process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If vibration damper is added to suppress needle vibration, then cell integrity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell integrityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration damper utilizes a flexible damping structure that can be integrated into the existing needle assembly. This flexible component absorbs vibration through elastic deformation and energy dissipation, providing effective vibration suppression without requiring complex rigid structures or additional heavy mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If needle vibration is suppressed to reduce cell damage, then cell survival rate improves, but puncture efficiency may decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell survival rateVSAvoidpuncture efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration damper is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to be relatively inert during the rapid puncture phase, minimizing impact on puncture speed. During the subsequent stabilization phase after needle insertion, the damper activates to suppress vibrations. This dynamic behavior ensures both high puncture efficiency and effective vibration suppression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 device effectively dampens needle vibration, minimizing cell damage and maintaining cell integrity for accurate chemical injection or extraction, enhancing the evaluation of cellular responses.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration damper configured to dampen vibration of the needle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

vibration-damping surfaces to absorb energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

utilizing a driver with a piezoelectric element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250303418A1Cell puncture device and microscope system

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A cell puncture device 10 according to the present disclosure includes a first fixed part 11 arranged with respect to an imaging unit 21 configured to image a cell S, an arm 14 arranged with respect to the first fixed part 11, a second driver 16 arranged with respect to the arm 14, a needle 17a that is configured to be driven by the second driver 16 and to puncture the cell S, and vibration dampers 19a configured to dampen vibration of the needle 17a. The vibration dampers 19a are arranged with respect to at least one of the arm 14 or the second driver 16.