Vortex Stirring in Microplate Arrays via Lateral Tumbling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic tumble stirring systems are impractical for mixing large arrays of vessels, particularly those in microplates, as they require a magnetic-field axis-of-rotation beneath each vessel and are inefficient in creating a vortex for mixing tall vessels.
Innovation Solution
A system where magnetic flux lines rotate horizontally through 360 degrees within a two-dimensional array of vessels, causing magnetic stir elements to continuously revolve around the vertical axis and tumble laterally against the vessel's side wall, creating a vortex for effective mixing without the need for a magnetic-field axis-of-rotation beneath each vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a magnetic drive positioned beneath each vessel is used to provide magnetic flux lines for stirring, then the stir elements can be driven to tumble, but the system becomes impractical for large arrays of vessels in microplates
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual magnetic drives positioned beneath each vessel are merged into a single centralized drive magnet that simultaneously drives stir elements across multiple vessels. The drive magnet is positioned to provide magnetic flux lines that rotate through 360 degrees horizontally, causing stir elements in multiple vessels to tumble simultaneously, thereby enabling efficient mixing of large arrays of vessels without requiring multiple separate drive mechanisms.
2Productivity
If magnetic flux lines rotate in a vertical plane to cause stir elements to tumble, then mixing can occur, but vortices are not effectively created for mixing tall vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by rotating magnetic flux lines horizontally through 360 degrees instead of vertically. This horizontal rotation causes stir elements to tumble laterally against the side wall of the vessel while revolving around the vertical axis, thereby creating effective vortices that efficiently mix the contents of tall vessels.
3Productivity
If stir elements tumble against the bottom of the vessel, then mixing can occur, but vortices are not effectively created for tall vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimension of tumbling from vertical (against the bottom) to horizontal (against the side wall). By rotating magnetic flux lines horizontally, stir elements tumble laterally against the side wall of the vessel, creating vortices that effectively mix tall vessels. This dimensional change from bottomward to sideward tumbling enables vortex formation that is particularly effective for tall vessel geometries.
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 approach enhances mixing efficiency by creating a vortex that effectively mixes the contents of tall vessels and eliminates the need for a magnetic-field axis-of-rotation beneath each vessel, making it suitable for large arrays of vessels, including those in microplates.
Implementation Method 1
a drive magnet for providing magnetic flux lines; and means for causing the magnetic flux lines to rotate through 360 degrees; wherein the drive magnet is disposed for causing the magnetic flux lines to rotate horizontally through 360 degrees within vessels received by the receiving means
Implementation Method 2
causing magnetic stir elements within the vessels to tumble in response to the rotation of magnetic flux lines
Implementation Method 3
the contents of a said vessel containing a said magnetic stir element are mixed by a vortex created by the continuous lateral tumbling of the stir element against the side wall of the vessel
Data Source
AI summary
The contents of a two-dimensional array of vessels are mixed by a vortex created by continuous lateral tumbling of a magnetic stir element against the interior side wall of each vessel. The system includes a drive magnet having oppositely polarized sides, and a carousel including receptacles at different heights and at different positions about the carousel's axis of rotation for receiving a plurality of arrays of vessels. The magnet's vertical physical axis is aligned with the carousel's axis of rotation so that the magnet is disposed to one side of each of the receptacles. The magnet provides magnetic flux lines that rotate horizontally through 360 degrees within the received vessels when the magnet is rotated about its vertical physical axis to thereby cause magnetic stir elements in the vessels to continuously tumble laterally against the interior side wall of the vessel and thereby create the vortexes.