Centrifugal Filter Container Set with Positive Pressure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal filtration methods for sample preparation often result in variable collection efficiency due to operator-dependent pipette operations, leading to accuracy issues and sample leakage through filter pores, especially when handling multiple specimens over extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A container set comprising a filter unit and a closing unit that creates an airtight, positive pressure environment to prevent liquid leakage, allowing for prolonged sample holding without shifting solids, thereby simplifying operations and enhancing analytical accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operator-dependent pipette operations are used to collect solids after centrifugal filtration, then sample collection is flexible, but collection efficiency becomes variable and accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the filter unit automatically maintains negative pressure to prevent liquid leakage and retains solids on the filter membrane, eliminating the need for operator-dependent pipette operations. The negative pressure system automatically holds the sample in the desired state without manual intervention.
2Loss of time
If samples are held in filter units for prolonged periods, then frequent container changes are reduced, but liquid leakage through filter pores increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies pneumatic pressure control by maintaining negative pressure within the filter unit using a vacuum source. This negative pressure counteracts the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid sample, preventing it from leaking through the filter pores even during prolonged holding periods, thereby eliminating the need for frequent container changes.
3Reliability
If the filter unit is sealed to maintain negative pressure, then liquid leakage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the sealing function from a complex mechanical sealing mechanism and replaces it with a simple seal member that creates an airtight interface between the filter unit and the vacuum source. This simplified sealing approach maintains negative pressure effectively without adding significant device complexity.
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 container set effectively prevents liquid leakage and improves analytical accuracy by maintaining a negative pressure environment within the sample holding space, reducing the need for frequent container changes and minimizing sample loss during prolonged reactions.
Implementation Method 1
a state in which an airtightly closed space produced between the closing unit and the filter is at a positive pressure relative to a pressure in the sample holding space
Implementation Method 2
Centrifugal filtration is excellent in solid-liquid separating performance since a liquid is transmitted through a filter so that the liquid can be separated from a solid therein
Data Source
AI summary
A container set including: a filter unit; and a closing unit that is attachable to and detachable from the filter unit. The filter unit includes: a housing having a sample introduction opening provided at one end, and a liquid discharging opening provided at the second end; and a filter fixed to the housing. The housing has a first joining part, and the closing unit has a second joining part configured to be joinable with the first joining part. The first joining part and the second joining part are configured such that the liquid discharging opening is spatially closed in a state in which the two joining parts are joined together. A space between the closing unit and the filter is made into a positive pressure relative to a pressure in the sample holding space by pushing the filter unit and the closing unit such that the distance therebetween is shortened.