Interleaved Tooth Micro-Crusher for Bacterial Spores
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vegetative bacterial cells can differentiate into highly resistant spores, making them difficult to crush using existing mechanical, radiation, or chemical methods, which are essential for analysis in various applications.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a substrate with rotatable disks having teeth, where the disks are positioned to interleave their teeth to apply mechanical force effectively, with a maximum distance between adjacent teeth being less than 10 microns, facilitating the crushing of microparticles while preventing escape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional mechanical crushing methods are used on bacterial spores, then the crushing force is applied, but the spores remain intact due to their high resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The crushing action is segmented into multiple sequential impacts from rotating teeth rather than a single static force, allowing progressive deformation of the spore structure until rupture occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating teeth apply periodic crushing forces to the spores as they pass through the channel, with each rotation delivering repeated impact cycles that eventually overcome the spore's resistance
2Productivity
If the distance between teeth is increased to allow particle flow, then particles can move through the apparatus, but particles can escape without being crushed
Solution Approach 1:
The problem is solved by adding the temporal dimension through rotation - teeth are spaced apart in space to allow flow, but their rotational motion ensures temporal overlap in crushing action, maintaining effectiveness while enabling productivity
3Manufacturing precision
If the distance between teeth is decreased to prevent particle escape, then crushing precision is improved, but particle flow through the apparatus is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The tooth spacing is optimized for precision, but the rotational speed and flow rate are dynamically adjusted to maintain effective crushing while maximizing throughput, allowing the system to adapt between precision and productivity as needed
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 efficiently crushes microparticles, including bacterial spores, by applying mechanical force through interleaved teeth, enhancing the yield of crushed particles and preventing escape, thus addressing the challenge of analyzing resistant spores.
Implementation Method 1
The first disk is positioned to interleave one or more of its teeth with the teeth of the second disk... efficiently crushes microparticles, including bacterial spores, by applying mechanical force through interleaved teeth
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an apparatus comprising a substrate and first and second disks. The disks are rotatably located over the substrate, each disk having an outer circumference with teeth thereon. The first disk is positioned to interleave one or more of its teeth with the teeth of the second disk. The substrate includes a channel with an exit port located near the teeth of one of the disks. Another apparatus comprises at least one disk rotatably located over a substrate and in a well of the substrate, the disk having an outer circumference with teeth thereon. The disk is positioned to provide a maximum distance of less than about 10 microns between each one the teeth and a nearest wall defining the well. The substrate includes a channel with an exit port located near the teeth of the disk.