Filtration Device Piston Sealing for Gravity-Assisted Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filtration devices for biological samples often fail to effectively separate filtered particles from the fluid, leading to contamination and inefficiencies in the filtration process, particularly when trying to retain particles of specific sizes or types.
Innovation Solution
A filtration device with a sealed lid and piston system that allows for the use of gravity to assist in filtration, featuring a filter element with adjustable mesh sizes and materials for selective retention of biological particulates, and a sealing mechanism to prevent fluid egress when inverted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the filter membrane is pushed through the liquid sample in a container with an open top, then the filtered particulate matter is isolated from the filtrate, but the device cannot be inverted and unfiltered liquid remains at the base of the container
Solution Approach 1:
The filter membrane is integrated within a piston that is reciprocable inside the container, creating a nested structure where the piston contains the filter membrane which in turn contains the separated particulates. This nested arrangement allows the device to be inverted while maintaining separation effectiveness and enabling complete filtration of the liquid sample.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston is designed to be reciprocable within the container, allowing dynamic movement between filtered and unfiltered positions. This dynamic capability enables the device to adapt to different orientations and complete the filtration process by moving the piston to different locations within the container.
2Productivity
If the device is inverted to use gravity for filtration, then gravity assists the filtration process, but suspension fluid may escape through the lid
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the lid and the actuating element, preventing suspension fluid from escaping while allowing the device to be inverted. This sealing intermediary maintains the beneficial gravitational filtration effect without the harmful fluid egress.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is made of resilient and flexible material that forms a seal between the lid and actuating element. This flexible sealing mechanism prevents fluid escape while accommodating the inverted orientation and gravitational forces during filtration.
3Reliability
If a sealed lid is used to prevent contamination and enable inversion, then contaminants are prevented from entering and gravity can assist filtration, but additional sealing mechanisms are required to prevent fluid egress
Solution Approach 1:
The lid serves multiple functions: it seals the container to prevent contamination, provides an opening for the actuating element, and works with the sealing element to prevent fluid egress during inversion. This multi-functional design achieves contamination prevention without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element acts as an intermediary between the lid and actuating element, providing the necessary seal to prevent fluid egress. This intermediate component enables the sealed lid design to function effectively during inversion without requiring a completely complex sealing system.
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 efficiently separates biological particulates from the filtrate, preventing contamination and allowing for effective isolation and retention of particles of various sizes, enhancing the filtration process by utilizing gravity and ensuring fluid containment.
Implementation Method 1
a filter element bound by a peripheral portion with sealing means for sealingly engaging the container such that movement, in use, of the piston within the container forces a suspension fluid through the filter element but prevents or at least inhibits the passage of biological particulates
Implementation Method 2
The use of a sealed lid further enables the device to be inverted in use, thereby enabling the use of gravity to further assist the filtration and isolation of biological particulates
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 6~8
AI summary
A biological sample filtration device (1, 1001) including a container (2, 1002) with an open end (20a, 1020a) and a closed end (20b, 1020b), a lid (3, 1003) for sealingly closing the open end (20a, 1020a) of the container (2, 1002), a piston (41, 1041) reciprocable within the container (2, 1002) between the open end (20a, 1020a) and the closed end (20b, 1020b) and a plunger (4) connected to the piston (41, 1041) and extending through a hole (34) in the lid (3, 1003). The piston (41, 1041) includes a filter element (43, 1043) bound by a filter holder (44) with a peripheral rim (45). The piston (41, 1041) has sealing means (50, 52, 152, 250, 252, 350, 354, 355) for sealingly engaging the container (2, 1002) such that movement, in use, of the piston (41, 1041) within the container (2, 1002) forces a suspension fluid (6, 1006) through the filter element (43, 1043) but prevents the passage of biological particulates (60, 1060) therethrough. The device (1, 1001) also includes a further sealing means (35, 36) between the lid (3, 1003) and the plunger (4), thereby to enable the device (1, 1001) to be oriented with the lid (3, 1003) of the container (2, 1002) lowermost without allowing egress of suspension fluid (6, 1006).