Rotating Syringe Nozzle for Cell Culture Dish Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dispensing apparatuses struggle to efficiently dispense liquid to the entire inner bottom surface of a cell culture dish, particularly the peripheral areas, due to nozzle interference with the dish's side surfaces when tilting, leading to incomplete recovery of cells and uneven medium distribution.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing apparatus with a syringe and dish mounting system that includes servo motors for precise control of the syringe and dish positioning, allowing the nozzle to be directed orthogonally to the dish's surface and rotated, enabling liquid to be dispensed directly to all areas of the dish's inner bottom surface without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the dish is tilted to dispense liquid to peripheral areas, then liquid can reach more areas of the inner bottom surface, but the nozzle interferes with the side surface of the tilted dish preventing direct pouring to certain areas
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe is made rotatable about its longitudinal axis through a rotation driving mechanism, allowing the nozzle orientation to dynamically adapt to the tilted dish position. This enables the nozzle to directly pour liquid to peripheral areas (including areas R1, R2, R3, and R4) without interference from the dish side surface, while the dish remains tilted for comprehensive liquid distribution across the inner bottom surface.
2Ease of operation
If the nozzle is directed vertically to avoid interference, then the nozzle does not interfere with the dish side surface, but liquid cannot be directly poured to peripheral areas of the inner bottom surface
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation driving mechanism enables the syringe to dynamically change its orientation from vertical to angled positions. When the dish is tilted, the syringe rotates to align the nozzle with peripheral target areas, allowing direct liquid pouring to expand coverage across the entire inner bottom surface while maintaining operational ease through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The syringe system performs multiple functions: it can operate with vertical orientation for standard dispensing and rotate to angled orientations for peripheral area targeting. This multi-functionality allows a single nozzle configuration to serve both central and peripheral dispensing needs without requiring separate mechanisms.
3Productivity
If liquid is discharged to accumulate at the lowermost part, then liquid flow is efficient, but it is impossible to directly pour liquid onto the uppermost area and intermediate areas
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation driving mechanism allows the nozzle to dynamically adjust its orientation to target different areas of the tilted dish. Liquid can be efficiently discharged while the nozzle rotates or is positioned to direct flow to uppermost areas, intermediate areas, and peripheral regions, ensuring comprehensive coverage rather than accumulation at a single lowermost point.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing apparatus includes: a dish mounting portion having a mounting surface mounted with a dish having a bottom surface and a side surface surrounding the bottom surface; a syringe, arranged above the dish mounting portion, having a nozzle configured to discharge liquid toward an interior of the dish; and a first driving portion configured to change the syringe in direction with respect to a first axis as a center, wherein the first axis is orthogonal to a normal to the mounting surface of the dish mounting portion.