Agitation Containers with Linear Protrusions for Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biochemical and molecular biological assays face inefficiencies in mixing and cell lysis due to the smooth surfaces of standard containers, which hinder productive collisions between rigid particles and cellular components, resulting in inadequate mixing and lysis.
Innovation Solution
Containers with interior chambers featuring substantially linear protrusions, either circular or polygonal cross sections, are designed to enhance mixing and cell lysis by promoting productive collisions between rigid particles and cellular components, utilizing agitation devices like vortexers to facilitate efficient mixing and lysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a container with a smooth interior surface is used, then the container is easy to manufacture and clean, but mixing efficiency and cell lysis are hindered due to lack of productive collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The container interior surface is modified with localized protrusions that create turbulent flow patterns and enhance mixing efficiency in specific regions, while the rest of the container maintains its smooth surface for ease of manufacture and cleaning. This local modification approach resolves the contradiction by improving mixing performance only where necessary without compromising overall manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions on the container interior surface feature curved or rounded geometries that promote turbulent flow and enhance collision frequency between liquid sample components. The curved surfaces guide fluid flow patterns that increase mixing efficiency while maintaining manufacturability through standard molding techniques.
2Device complexity
If a container with a smooth interior surface is used, then the container structure is simple, but cell lysis efficiency is reduced due to insufficient productive collisions between rigid particles and cellular components
Solution Approach 1:
The container interior is equipped with localized protrusions that create enhanced flow patterns and collision zones specifically where cell lysis occurs, while the overall container structure remains simple and uncomplicated. This targeted modification improves cell lysis efficiency without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions on the container surface generate mechanical turbulence and vibration in the liquid sample during agitation, which enhances the collision frequency and force between rigid particles and cellular components, thereby improving cell lysis efficiency while maintaining a simple container structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid particles travel in a circular path in the container interior diameter, then the particles maintain stable motion, but mixing efficiency is reduced due to few productive collisions with cellular components
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions are strategically positioned on the container interior surface to intercept and redirect the circular motion of rigid particles, creating localized zones of enhanced turbulence and collision. This maintains overall particle motion stability while introducing productive mixing interactions at specific locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions introduce a third spatial dimension to the particle motion by creating vertical and radial flow components in addition to the horizontal circular motion. This multi-dimensional flow pattern increases collision frequency with cellular components while maintaining the stability of the overall mixing 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
The containers with linear protrusions significantly increase the efficiency of mixing and cell lysis compared to standard containers, as demonstrated by higher cell lysis efficiency and improved detection of target nucleic acids in whole blood samples.
Implementation Method 1
The agitation device shakes the container, thereby mixing the liquid contents of the container
Implementation Method 2
the rigid particles disrupt the cell wall with productive collisions
Implementation Method 3
the surface of the interior chamber includes one or more substantially linear protrusions substantially parallel to the central axis
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to containers for holding liquid samples. The containers may be useful for mixing a liquid sample or lysing cells in a liquid sample. The invention also relates to methods of using the containers of the invention.