Pivoting Sample Tube Holder for Optimized Sonotrode Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sonicating biological samples, particularly those containing robust pathogens like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, face challenges in efficiently transmitting ultrasonic energy due to uneven sample vessel surfaces and suboptimal contact areas, leading to energy loss and potential deformation or contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A sonication device with a pivotally suspended sample tube holder and a sonotrode mounted on a guiding rail, allowing for rotational and translational movements to optimize contact between the sonotrode and the sample tube, ensuring efficient energy transfer and minimizing deformation risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If direct contact between sonotrode and sample vessel is used, then ultrasonic energy transmission efficiency is improved, but contact area optimization becomes difficult due to surface unevenness and tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The sample vessel holder is made rotatable about the x-axis, allowing dynamic adjustment of the sample vessel orientation to achieve optimal contact between the sonotrode and the sample vessel surface, accommodating surface unevenness and manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
A concave surface is introduced at the sonication area of the sonotrode, which better conforms to the curved surface of the sample vessel, increasing the effective contact area and improving ultrasonic energy transmission efficiency
2Ease of operation
If sample vessel is submersed in liquid medium for sonication, then ultrasonic wave transmission is facilitated, but kinetic energy is lost as heat
Solution Approach 1:
The sample vessel wall serves as an intermediary medium for ultrasonic energy transmission, allowing direct contact sonication without submerging the vessel in liquid, thus maintaining energy efficiency while facilitating wave transmission through the vessel wall
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid mounting of sample tube holder is used, then structural stability is improved, but adaptation to surface unevenness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sample tube holder is made rotatable about the x-axis while maintaining vertical orientation along the z-axis, providing dynamic adaptability to surface unevenness without compromising the overall structural stability of the sonication device
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 device enhances ultrasonic energy transmission to biological samples, effectively lysing robust pathogens like mycobacteria while maintaining sample integrity and reducing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
The sonotrode has a sonication area for applying ultrasound to the sample tube
Implementation Method 2
Samples suspected to contain mycobacteria—or other challenging biological material—may be pre-treated by the application of ultrasound, also referred to as sonication or ultrasonication
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a device for sonicating a biological sample. In one embodiment, a sample tube holder is pivotally suspended in a mount of a sonication device, thus allowing for a rotational degree of freedom and/or lateral movement that provides an optimized contact area between the sonotrode and the sample tube. Also disclosed is a method for sonicating a biological sample using the device described herein.