Dynamic Suction Tube Control for Liquid-Solid Interface Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The aspiration of liquid components from a culture sample near the solid-liquid interface can stir up solid components, leading to their aspiration along with the liquid, reducing the purity of the aspirate and efficiency of liquid removal.
Innovation Solution
A pre-processing apparatus with a suction tube and pump under negative pressure, controlled by a unit that moves the tube towards the solid-liquid interface at a controlled speed, aspirates liquid components while minimizing contact and flow impact on solid components, allowing for increased liquid aspiration without contaminating it with solids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the suction tube is placed close to the solid-liquid interface to aspirate liquid components, then the amount of liquid component aspirated increases, but the solid component may be stirred up and aspirated together with the liquid component
Solution Approach 1:
The suction tube is moved dynamically towards the solid-liquid interface while aspiration is performed, rather than being stationary. This controlled movement allows the tube to follow the receding liquid level, maximizing liquid aspiration while maintaining a safe distance from the solid-liquid interface to prevent solid component disturbance.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction tube is positioned at an optimal distance from the solid-liquid interface before aspiration begins, and then moved towards the interface as the liquid level decreases. This preliminary positioning and controlled movement strategy ensures that the tube remains in the liquid phase throughout aspiration, preventing solid component contamination while maximizing liquid recovery.
2Manufacturing precision
If the suction tube is placed far from the solid-liquid interface to avoid stirring up solid components, then the purity of aspirate is maintained, but the amount of liquid component left in the container increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction tube position is dynamically adjusted during the aspiration process. It starts at a safe distance from the solid-liquid interface and moves towards it as the liquid level recedes, ensuring continuous liquid contact while preventing solid component disturbance. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between maintaining purity and maximizing liquid aspiration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors the position of the liquid level and the suction tube relative to the solid-liquid interface, adjusting the tube position in real-time based on feedback. This ensures the tube remains optimally positioned within the liquid phase, maximizing aspiration efficiency while preventing solid component contamination.
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 keeps the aspirate clear of solid components and allows for a greater amount of liquid to be aspirated from the culture sample, reducing the likelihood of solid contamination and optimizing liquid removal efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a pump for providing a negative pressure to the suction tube
Implementation Method 2
a suction tube for aspirating the liquid component
Implementation Method 3
a centrifugation mechanism is activated for the container accommodating the culture medium. As a result, the culture medium such as cells are accumulated as a solid at the bottom of the container, for example, and the solid components, which are the culture medium, and the liquid components, which are supernatants, are separated from each other via the solid-liquid interface
Data Source
AI summary
A pre-processing apparatus aspirates a liquid component, as pre-processing, from a culture sample in which the liquid component and a solid component are separated by a solid-liquid interface in a container. The pre-processing apparatus includes: a suction tube for aspirating the liquid component; a pump for providing a negative pressure to the suction tube; and a control unit for moving, in a direction to the solid-liquid interface, the suction tube under the negative pressure within the liquid component.