Laboratory Mixer With Liquid Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laboratory mixers for microbiological samples often cause contamination and damage to sample containers due to piercing or leaking, leading to inefficient sample preparation and increased cleaning needs.
Innovation Solution
A laboratory mixer with integrated liquid detectors, such as capacitive or optical sensors, that detect leaks and trigger alarms to prevent contamination and minimize cleaning, combined with adjustable mixing blades to handle samples of varying dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical action of blades is increased to improve mixing efficiency, then homogenization speed is improved, but the sterile bag may be pierced or leaked causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The blades are designed with adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow their configuration to adapt to different sample sizes and container types. This dynamic adjustment capability enables optimal mixing performance while preventing excessive mechanical stress that could pierce the sterile bag, thus resolving the contradiction between mixing efficiency and bag integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing system incorporates variable speed control and adjustable blade positioning parameters. By optimizing these parameters based on sample characteristics, the system achieves effective homogenization without applying excessive force that would compromise the sterile bag, thereby maintaining both productivity and reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If blades are made sharper to improve grinding capability, then homogenization quality is improved, but the risk of piercing the sterile bag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade design incorporates varying degrees of sharpness across different regions of the blade surface. The leading edge maintains sufficient sharpness for effective grinding, while the lateral edges are rounded or chamfered to reduce piercing risk. This localized quality differentiation allows high homogenization quality without excessive bag piercing risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade geometry parameters such as edge angle, thickness, and curvature are optimized to achieve the right balance. By adjusting these parameters, the blades maintain cutting effectiveness for homogenization while reducing the mechanical stress concentration that would otherwise pierce the sterile bag.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mixing force is increased to handle larger samples, then processing capability is improved, but contamination risk increases due to bag leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing system features dynamically adjustable blade positioning and force application. For larger samples, the blades can be positioned to distribute force more evenly across the sample volume rather than concentrating it, preventing bag leakage and contamination while maintaining the ability to process larger quantities.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing action is segmented into multiple passes with varying force levels. Instead of applying maximum force in a single action, the system uses sequential mixing stages that gradually homogenize the sample, preventing excessive stress on the sterile bag while effectively handling larger sample volumes.
4Device complexity
If traditional mixers are used without detection systems, then device complexity is reduced, but contamination from undetected leaks cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor for bag leakage during the mixing process. When a leak is detected, the system automatically stops operation and alerts the operator, preventing contamination. This feedback mechanism provides reliable contamination prevention while adding only moderate complexity to the otherwise simple mixer structure.
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 mixer ensures reliable and efficient sample homogenization while preventing container damage and contamination, reducing waste and time loss by quickly detecting leaks and alerting users, thus maintaining sample integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The laboratory mixer may include one or more liquid detectors, such as capacitive or optical sensors
Implementation Method 2
The laboratory mixer may include one or more liquid detectors, such as capacitive or optical sensors
Data Source
AI summary
A laboratory mixer for mixing a sample and a diluent in a bag. An enclosure defines a mixing chamber, and at least one movable mixing element is retained for mixing the sample and the diluent within the bag. At least one liquid detector is retained relative to the enclosure for detecting liquid leaked from the bag. The sensor can be a capacitive, inductive, or optical sensor. The sensor can be a conductivity sensor with two electrodes shaped like combs and a gap less than or equal to a diameter of a drip of diluent solution. A ledge with a low point can be retained by an access door. The sensor or sensors can be disposed adjacent to the access door, on a mixing element, in direct contact with the bag, or on a tank. An alarm and cessation of operation can be triggered upon a detection of leaked liquid.