Rotor-Stator Disc Mixing for Reproducible Prion Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyzing prion protein aggregation under mechanical stress generate homogeneous shear forces, which may not accurately replicate natural conditions and can lead to inconsistent results.
Innovation Solution
A rotor-stator device with non-homogeneous mechanical stress generation, utilizing a disc and stator configuration with specific projections and passages to apply intense stress in a controlled manner, allowing for reproducible aggregation of prion protein.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cylindrical rotor in a cylindrical stator generates homogeneous shear force, then the shear force is uniform throughout the liquid, but the aggregation of prion protein is not reproducible and does not accurately replicate natural conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating regions of different shear force intensity within the mixing device. The rotor-stator configuration generates localized zones of high mechanical stress near the rotor surface and lower stress regions farther away, producing a non-homogeneous shear force distribution that better replicates natural prion aggregation conditions and improves reproducibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by using a disc-shaped rotor with specific projection geometries that create asymmetric flow patterns and non-uniform shear distribution. This asymmetric design breaks the homogeneity of shear force while maintaining controlled mixing, leading to more reproducible prion protein aggregation results
2Productivity
If intense mechanical stress is applied to a large volume of liquid, then mixing efficiency increases, but the mechanical stress becomes too diffuse to generate reproducible aggregation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the liquid volume into different zones with distinct shear force characteristics. The rotor-stator system creates intense stress in localized regions near the rotor while maintaining gentler mixing in outer regions, allowing both high productivity and reproducible aggregation to occur simultaneously in different parts of the system
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 provides highly reproducible aggregation of prion protein by applying non-homogeneous mechanical stress, facilitating accurate analysis of prion protein behavior under controlled conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a rotor (10) driven for rotation in a static housing (1) arranged around the rotor (10) with a spacing set up to exert mechanical stress onto a liquid which mechanical stress is not homogenous and covers a broad range of forces
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Device containing one disc (10) as a rotor, a first stator (21) arranged with a spacing from the disc, a second stator (22) arranged with a spacing from the disc, with a spacing between a projection (20) of the first stator and a projection (23) of the second stator, the first projection and the second projection between them forming a radial passage (16), a peripheral passage (33) arranged between the first stator and a housing (1), connecting the radial passage with a first passage and a peripheral passage (34) arranged between the second stator and the housing, connecting the radial passage with a second passage, wherein each peripheral passage (33,34) can be formed by a spacing of one or both of the stators from the housing.