Solid Coupler for Dry Acoustic Energy Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample treatment technologies using acoustic energy are inadequate for molecular diagnostic applications due to issues like contamination risks, complex systems, high costs, and limited miniaturization, particularly in hospital or lab settings where space is constrained.
Innovation Solution
A device employing a full solid coupler for dry coupling of acoustic energy between a source and a cartridge, allowing for focused ultrasound (HiFu) treatment without liquid coupling, enabling efficient sample processing with reduced contamination risks and miniaturization, and allowing for various functionalities like mixing and lysis in a single chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid coupling is used for acoustic energy transmission, then acoustic energy can be transmitted from source to sample, but contamination risk increases and distinction between leaking cartridge and liquid usage becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the liquid coupling medium from the acoustic energy transmission path, replacing it with direct solid contact between the transducer and sample cartridge. This extraction of the liquid component eliminates contamination risks while maintaining acoustic energy transmission through the solid-state coupling interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a solid coupling interface (acoustic window) as an intermediary between the transducer and sample cartridge. This solid mediator enables acoustic energy transmission without requiring liquid coupling, thereby eliminating contamination risks while preserving the ability to distinguish between leaking cartridges and normal liquid usage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex piezo arrays and control systems are used for acoustic treatment, then sample processing functionality is improved, but device size, cost, and technical support requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple acoustic transducers into a single integrated piezo element that can generate focused acoustic energy directly. This merging of components eliminates the need for complex piezo arrays and associated control systems, significantly reducing device size while maintaining sample processing functionality through direct acoustic coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal acoustic treatment system where a single piezo transducer can perform multiple sample processing functions (mixing, lysis, homogenization) by varying acoustic parameters rather than requiring separate specialized components. This multi-functionality approach reduces overall device complexity and size.
3Ease of manufacture
If separate processing functions are used for pretreatment, then each function can be optimized independently, but device size increases and integration is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges pretreatment and lysis functions into a single integrated chamber where focused acoustic energy performs both mixing/pretreatment and cell lysis sequentially or simultaneously. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate processing chambers and reduces overall device size while maintaining functional optimization through acoustic parameter control.
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 solution enables efficient, contamination-free sample treatment with reduced power requirements and miniaturization, facilitating cost-effective and compact molecular diagnostic devices capable of handling diverse sample types and processes.
Implementation Method 1
a complete dry coupling of the acoustic energy between the source and the cartridge
Implementation Method 2
The focused acoustic energy is high intensity focused ultrasound (HiFu)
Implementation Method 3
the focused acoustic energy is high intensity focused ultrasound (HiFu)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for treating a sample with focused acoustic energy. Thereby the generated acoustic energy is transmitted from the source to the sample via a complete dry propagation path. A cartridge (103) containing the sample (101) is inserted into an instrument (102), wherein the insertion forms a dry propagation path.