Microphysiological Culture Chamber With Spring-Loaded Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microphysiological systems face issues with leakage and contamination due to difficulty in assembling and maintaining a gas-tight and liquid-tight seal, especially under high-pressure and high-temperature sterilization conditions, which can lead to loss of essential elements and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A microphysiological system with a support plate that is movable vertically within a frame, utilizing elastic means like coil springs to distribute contact force uniformly and ensure a robust seal, combined with pin-and-port alignment for correct assembly, reducing leakage and contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If locking means are used to fasten the frame and lid, then sealing is improved, but leakage occurs due to localized force concentration and difficulty in assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into a stationary portion and a movable support plate portion. The support plate is separated from the base and can move vertically, allowing the sealing force to be distributed across the entire sealing surface rather than concentrated at locking points. This segmentation enables both reliable sealing and easy assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate is made movable vertically between a raised position (when open) and a lowered position (when closed). This dynamic element, combined with elastic means, allows the system to automatically adjust and distribute contact force uniformly across the sealing interface, eliminating the need for complex assembly procedures while maintaining reliable sealing.
2Reliability
If high pressure and high temperature sterilization is applied, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but leakage and contamination risk increases due to base and lid movement
Solution Approach 1:
Elastic means (springs) are pre-installed to provide continuous compensating force that maintains uniform contact between the lid and frame. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even during high-pressure sterilization when components may shift, the sealing force is continuously distributed and maintained, preventing leakage and contamination while allowing effective sterilization.
3Reliability
If uniform contact pressure is applied across the sealing surface, then sealing reliability is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable support plate combined with elastic means creates a self-adjusting sealing mechanism. When the lid is closed, the support plate automatically lowers and the springs distribute the contact force uniformly across the entire sealing surface without requiring complex assembly procedures. The system self-regulates to achieve uniform pressure distribution, maintaining high sealing reliability while keeping assembly simple.
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 system achieves a gas-tight and liquid-tight sealing, preventing leakage and contamination, while maintaining a stable environment for cell cultures under harsh conditions, ensuring reliable operation and ease of handling.
Implementation Method 1
elastic means configured to bring the support plate back to the high position
Implementation Method 2
contact force uniformly distributed under the base
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a microphysiological system comprising a frame with a base (7) exhibiting a surface (9) for receiving a cell culture support, a lid for closing the microphysiological system, and locking means fastening the frame and the lid when said microphysiological system is closed, the microphysiological system is remarkable in that the base (7) is disposed within the frame on a support plate (17) displaceable between a high position when the microphysiological system is open and a low position when the microphysiological system is closed and in that the support plate (17) is movable vertically between its high position and low position with elastic means (19) configured to bring the support plate (17) back to the high position.