Flexible Acoustic Coupling Medium for Sample Treatment Vessel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic energy-based sample processing technologies face limitations in effectively manipulating and processing sample materials due to issues with acoustic energy disruption caused by defects like particles and bubbles, which reduce the efficacy of treatment.
Innovation Solution
A vessel with movable walls and a flexible coupling medium that transmits acoustic energy, allowing for controlled pressure and movement of sample materials within a treatment area, minimizing defects and enhancing acoustic energy delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid coupling medium is used to transmit acoustic energy, then the acoustic energy can be transmitted, but defects like particles and bubbles cause disruption of the acoustic energy wave, diminishing the overall effect on the sample material
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling medium is changed from a rigid state to a flexible/deformable state. This parameter change allows the medium to adapt to pressure applications that eliminate defects (particles, bubbles, interfaces) from the acoustic path, thereby reducing acoustic energy disruption while maintaining reliable transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The presence of defects (particles, bubbles, interfaces) in the rigid coupling medium, which normally disrupt acoustic energy, is converted into a benefit by making the medium flexible. The flexibility allows these defects to be removed or minimized through deformation, turning the previously harmful defect-laden medium into a clean, effective acoustic transmission path
2Strength
If the vessel structure is fixed and rigid, then the vessel can maintain structural integrity, but the sample material cannot be moved, compressed, or expanded within the treatment area
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel is divided into two functional parts: a rigid outer shell that maintains structural integrity and a flexible inner treatment area that allows sample manipulation. This segmentation enables both structural strength and adaptability to coexist by assigning different functions to different parts of the system
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment area is made dynamic and flexible while the outer shell remains rigid. This allows the inner region to adapt and change (move, compress, expand sample material) while the outer structure provides stable support, achieving both structural integrity and manipulation versatility
3Device complexity
If acoustic energy is applied directly to the sample material without a coupling medium, then the treatment process is simplified, but defects and interfaces cause disruption of the acoustic energy wave
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible coupling medium is introduced as an intermediary between the acoustic energy source and the sample material. This mediator improves acoustic energy delivery reliability by eliminating defects from the transmission path through deformation, while adding minimal complexity to the overall treatment process
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 configuration improves the efficiency and effectiveness of acoustic treatment by reducing energy disruption and increasing the exposure of sample materials to focused acoustic energy, leading to enhanced processing outcomes such as improved cell lysis, mixing, and sterilization.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling medium arranged to transmit acoustic energy from an acoustic energy source to a vessel
Implementation Method 2
The coupling medium may be flexible such that a portion of the coupling medium may be deformed toward the vessel upon an application of suitable pressure to the coupling medium
Implementation Method 3
defining a focal zone that at least partially overlaps the sample and is sufficient to cause at least one of lysing, extraction, permeabilizing, stirring, catalyzing, degrading, fluidization, heating, particle breakdown, nucleic acid shearing, sterilization, or disruption of molecular bonds in the sample
Implementation Method 4
heating, particle breakdown, nucleic acid shearing, sterilization, or disruption of molecular bonds in the sample
Implementation Method 5
the first and second walls, in cooperation, are adapted to cause the sample material to move within the internal volume and to adjust a pressure within the treatment area
Data Source
AI summary
A treatment vessel may allow a user, or automated system, to manipulate sample material within a treatment area during processing (e.g., focused acoustic treatment), as well as subject the sample material to a staged processing protocol. The vessel may include openings for receiving/discharging the sample material. Walls within the vessel may be movable between various positions, to permit or obstruct flow of sample material into or out from a treatment area. The wall(s) may push the sample material within the vessel, as well as adjust pressure levels within the treatment area. In some embodiments, an acoustic treatment system may include a flexible coupling medium that may be deformed toward the vessel upon an application of suitable pressure thereto. When the medium presses up against the vessel, defects (e.g., particles, bubbles, interfaces, etc.) that may otherwise be present along the acoustic wave path may be reduced.