Deflector Module for Centrifugal Gel Drop Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing systems for producing gelled drops face issues with instantaneous gelation, leading to drops sticking together and forming clusters at the bottom of the tube, especially when producing monodisperse drops at high frequency, due to limited gelling bath height in standard centrifuge tubes.
Innovation Solution
A module with deflectors on the internal surface of the tube is used to extend the trajectory of drops within the gelling bath, promoting gelation before reaching the bottom, featuring a ramp-like deflector design that can be triangular, semicircular, or ring-shaped, adjustable in height and angle, to increase the transit time and prevent clustering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If centrifuge speed is increased to produce drops at high frequency, then productivity is improved, but drops do not have enough time to gel completely before accumulating at the bottom of the tube and forming clusters
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces deflectors that change the trajectory of drops from a direct vertical path to a longer, deflected path through the gelling bath. This dimensional modification of the drop trajectory increases the effective path length and residence time in the gelling bath without requiring increased bath height or decreased production frequency, thereby resolving the contradiction between productivity and gelation completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflectors are positioned to initiate trajectory modification early in the drop's passage through the gelling bath. By deflecting drops before they reach the bottom of the tube, the system ensures that gelation begins and progresses along an extended path, allowing complete gelation to occur before drops accumulate, thus maintaining reliability at high production frequencies.
2Reliability
If gelling bath height is increased to allow complete gelation, then gelation completeness is improved, but the tube height is limited by standard centrifuge tube dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the vertical height of the gelling bath (which is constrained by standard tube dimensions), the invention modifies the horizontal trajectory of drops using deflectors. This transforms the gelation path from a simple vertical descent to a longer, deflected path within the same vertical space, effectively increasing the gelling distance without increasing bath height.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflectors create curved or angled trajectories for drops through the gelling bath, replacing the straight vertical path with a longer curved path. This curvature in the drop trajectory increases the effective path length through the gelling bath, allowing complete gelation within the limited vertical space of standard tubes.
3Productivity
If drops are allowed to reach the bottom of the tube quickly, then productivity is maintained, but drops stick together and form unusable clusters
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectors are positioned to modify drop trajectories early in their descent, initiating the gelation process along an extended path before drops reach the bottom of the tube. This preliminary trajectory modification ensures that drops gel completely while still maintaining high production rates, preventing cluster formation at the bottom.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing deflectors that create deflected paths through the gelling bath, the invention extends the residence time of drops in the gelling environment without reducing production frequency. This dimensional change in trajectory ensures complete gelation before bottom accumulation, eliminating the harmful effect of cluster formation while maintaining productivity.
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
This solution allows for the production of separated and uniformly sized gelled drops by lengthening the gelation time within the gelling bath, preventing cluster formation at the bottom of the tube, even at high production frequencies within the constraints of a standard system.
Implementation Method 1
By centrifugation, the drops are expelled from the capillary outlet into the tube
Implementation Method 2
As they pass through the gelling bath, the drops gel and settle at the bottom of the tube
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a module (M) intended for use in a system for producing gelled drops, said system comprising a centrifuge, said module (M) being mounted on the centrifuge and actuable in rotation about an axis, said centrifugation axis, by said centrifuge, the system also comprising a drop production unit (G) comprising a liquid reservoir and an expulsion nozzle (10) cooperating with the reservoir and by which drops can be produced by centrifugation, said module (M) comprising a tube (201) in which the drops are expelled, said drops being intended to reach the bottom of the tube by passing through a gelling bath, the internal surface of the tube having at least one deflector (D) comprising one or more faces arranged to deflect the trajectory of each drop inside the gelling bath in order to lengthen their path and promote their gelling.