Liquid Feeding Apparatus Interface Positioning for Droplet Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid feeding systems for droplets collected in a collection vessel face challenges such as prolonged feeding times, cell death, and demulsification due to low flow rates, which necessitate a method to selectively suck and feed droplets quickly.
Innovation Solution
A liquid feeding apparatus that includes a collection vessel holder, a liquid feeding tube, and processing circuitry to detect the interface between droplet and non-droplet layers and adjust its position relative to the suction port of the liquid feeding tube, allowing for precise and efficient feeding of droplets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If droplets are fed at a low flow rate to prevent breaking, then droplet integrity is maintained, but feeding time becomes excessively long causing cell death and demulsification
Solution Approach 1:
The suction port is preliminarily positioned at the bottom of the collection vessel before feeding starts. The interface detection unit detects the initial position of the droplet-oil interface, and the driving unit moves the suction port to the detected interface position before feeding begins. This preliminary positioning allows the system to start feeding immediately at the correct position, avoiding the need for slow, careful feeding while maintaining droplet integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or mechanical positioning methods with an optical/electrical detection system. The interface detection unit (using optical or electrical methods) automatically detects the droplet-oil interface position, and the driving unit (motor-driven mechanism) automatically moves the suction port to the correct position. This substitution enables precise, rapid positioning without the time loss associated with manual adjustment or slow mechanical feeding.
2Device complexity
If the suction port remains at the bottom of the collection vessel, then the structure is simple, but the suction port may suck oil instead of droplets, reducing feeding precision
Solution Approach 1:
The suction port is designed to be movable rather than fixed. The driving unit enables the suction port to dynamically change its position within the collection vessel based on the detected droplet-oil interface position. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different droplet volumes and positions, ensuring the suction port always reaches the correct position without requiring complex fixed positioning structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface detection unit provides real-time feedback on the droplet-oil interface position to the driving unit. The driving unit uses this feedback information to automatically adjust the suction port position to match the detected interface location. This feedback mechanism ensures high suction position accuracy while maintaining relatively simple overall device structure, as the system self-adjusts based on actual conditions.
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 enables rapid and proper feeding of droplets, reducing the risk of cell death and demulsification, while allowing for precise alignment of the droplet interface with the suction port, thus enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of the feeding process.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid feeding tube configured to feed the liquid from the inside of the collection vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid feeding apparatus according to an embodiment includes a collection vessel holder, a liquid feeding tube, and processing circuitry. The collection vessel holder is configured to hold a collection vessel used for collecting liquid including a droplet layer and a non-droplet layer. The liquid feeding tube is configured to feed the liquid from the inside of the collection vessel. The processing circuitry is configured to adjust the position of an interface between the droplet layer and the non-droplet layer with respect to the position of a suction port of the liquid feeding tube.