Sample Examination Device Using Pressure-Controlled Cuvette Bath

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for examining samples in liquids face challenges with precise rotation and immersion, as samples often become eccentric during rotation due to inadequate fixation, leading to suboptimal data reconstruction and increased complexity in maintaining concentricity, especially when using immersion liquids with aggressive properties that can damage seals.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a movable shaft with a cuvette bath system that allows immersion liquid to be filled from below, enabling precise control of the liquid level through pressure differences, eliminating the need for seals and allowing for precise sample rotation without deformation, using a pressure difference mechanism to manage the immersion liquid within the cuvette.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the sample is fastened to the rotary shaft, then the sample can be rotated for examination, but the sample becomes eccentric during rotation leading to migration to both sides

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample rotationVSAvoidconcentricity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A capillary tube filled with liquid serves as an intermediary between the shaft and the sample. The liquid in the capillary tube transmits rotational motion while maintaining concentricity through capillary forces and surface tension, preventing the sample from becoming eccentric during rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The direct mechanical connection between the shaft and sample is replaced by a liquid-filled capillary tube. This substitution uses liquid pressure and surface tension to transmit rotation while maintaining precise concentric alignment, eliminating the mechanical eccentricity problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If seals are used to contain the immersion liquid, then the liquid can be contained, but the aggressive liquid damages the seals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid containmentVSAvoidseal damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The seal component is completely removed from the system. Instead of using seals to contain the immersion liquid, the invention uses a capillary tube filled with liquid that opens into the cuvette, eliminating the seal damage problem caused by aggressive liquids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The capillary tube filled with liquid acts as an intermediary that contains the immersion liquid without requiring seals. The liquid within the capillary tube serves as both the containment medium and the transmission medium for rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the cuvette is filled from above, then the liquid can be introduced, but the liquid level cannot be precisely controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid fillingVSAvoidliquid level control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of filling the cuvette from above, the invention introduces the immersion liquid from below through the capillary tube. This inversion allows precise control of the liquid level in the cuvette by controlling the liquid column height in the capillary tube, while still enabling easy filling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

This solution ensures precise and stable sample rotation, reduces data reconstruction errors, and prevents damage from aggressive immersion liquids, while allowing for easy sample access and exchange, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of optical examinations.

Implementation Method 1

means for generating a pressure difference between the interior of the cuvette and the region outside of the cuvette such that the fill level of the liquid in the cuvette is adjustable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10126230B2Device and method for examining samples in a liquid

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 MILTENYI BIOTEC BV & CO KG

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for examining samples (1) in a liquid (5), comprising a movable shaft (2), to which the sample (1) is fastened, and a cuvette (4), wherein the device further comprises a bath (3), which surrounds the movable shaft (2), and wherein the bath (3) is fillable with the liquid (5), the movable shaft (2) is configured to receive the sample (1) at the upper side (24) thereof, the movable shaft (2) reaches into the cuvette (4) from below, wherein said cuvette is open at least toward the bottom and configured to be immersed into the liquid (5) in the bath (3) with the underside thereof, and, moreover, means are provided to generate a pressure difference between the interior of the cuvette (4) and the region outside of the cuvette (4) such that the fill level (21) of the liquid (5) in the cuvette (4) is adjustable.Moreover, the invention relates to a method for examining samples (1) in a liquid (5).