Tissue Fragmentation Device With Helical Transportation Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for tissue fragmentation, such as those disclosed in WO 2006/081694 A1 and WO 2004/035191, fail to achieve sufficient fragmentation of fibrous or chord-containing substances like muscle tissue due to insufficient centrifugal forces, resulting in large particles and inhomogeneous processing.
Innovation Solution
A device with a helically shaped transportation element and processing tool featuring teeth-like structures and outer cutting blades, which forces the sample material past and over the processing tool to achieve homogeneous fragmentation by rotating the agitating element relative to the closing lid and processing tool, preventing accumulation at the vessel walls and ensuring efficient grinding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a conventional agitator is used to generate centrifugal forces for tissue fragmentation, then the tissue is pressed against the vessel walls, but this results in insufficient fragmentation and large particles
Solution Approach 1:
The processing tool is divided into multiple functional elements: teeth-like structures for initial fragmentation and outer cutting blades for final size reduction. This segmentation allows different stages of processing to be performed by specialized elements, achieving uniform fine particles rather than relying on a single aggressive mixing action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing tool between the agitator and the tissue sample. This processing tool with its teeth and cutting blades acts as a mediator that converts the aggressive centrifugal forces into controlled mechanical cutting and grinding actions, preventing direct contact between the sample and vessel walls.
2Productivity
If the agitator presses substances against the laboratory vessel walls, then some fragmentation occurs, but the material accumulates at the walls and cannot be sufficiently ground
Solution Approach 1:
The processing tool extends into the sample volume, creating a third dimension for processing beyond the surface-level contact between agitator and vessel walls. The teeth and cutting blades operate within the sample bulk, enabling three-dimensional fragmentation and preventing wall accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the processing tool have specialized functions: teeth-like structures for coarse fragmentation and outer cutting blades for fine grinding. This local differentiation ensures that all sample material, regardless of position, receives appropriate processing intensity to achieve uniform fine particles.
3Speed
If high centrifugal forces are applied to fragment fibrous tissue, then processing speed increases, but the tissue integrity is compromised and particles become too large
Solution Approach 1:
The processing tool provides continuous mechanical action through its teeth and cutting blades as the sample is processed. This continuous cutting and grinding action maintains control over particle size throughout the process, preventing the formation of large particles while maintaining processing efficiency.
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 effectively achieves homogeneous fragmentation to low particle sizes, improving the degree of tissue processing and maintaining cell integrity, as demonstrated by reduced residue and higher yield in tissue samples compared to existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
the substances are forced by rotation of a helically shaped transportation element (8) past and over the processing tool (5)
Implementation Method 2
guiding the transportation element (8) over at least one group of teeth (4 a-c) and at least one outer cutting blade (6) through slots (6a) of the transportation element (8) in a grinding and cutting manner
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is directed to a device for fragmenting or homogenizing biological samples, comprising: - a tubular laboratory test vessel (1) having an open first end (3) and a second end closed by a bottom (10); - a closing lid (2) for the laboratory test vessel (1) connected to the open end (3) of the laboratory test vessel (1); - a processing tool (5) arranged in said closing lid (2), comprising a plurality of teeth (4a-c) and an agitating element (11) having a guidance tube (13) that is rotatably mounted through a central bore in the lid (2) and includes an engagement portion (16) that is adapted to be engaged by a drive motor; wherein at least one outer cutting blade (6) is located at the periphery of the processing tool (5) and a transportation element (8) is arranged at the guidance tube (13) that extends outwardly in a helical shape over the outer cutting blade (6) and which is provided with slots (6a) fitting the outer cutting blades (6). Furthermore, the invention is directed to a process for extracting, fragmenting, mixing or homogenizing biological samples in a device according to any of the claims 1 to 12 wherein the agitating element (11) is rotated relative to the closing lid (2) and the processing tool (5), thereby guiding the transportation element (8) over at least one group of teeth (4 a-c) and at least one outer cutting blade (6) through slots (6a) of the transportation element (8) in a grinding and cutting manner.