CA2546686A1 - Roller driven solution circulator - Google Patents
Roller driven solution circulator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2546686A1 CA2546686A1 CA002546686A CA2546686A CA2546686A1 CA 2546686 A1 CA2546686 A1 CA 2546686A1 CA 002546686 A CA002546686 A CA 002546686A CA 2546686 A CA2546686 A CA 2546686A CA 2546686 A1 CA2546686 A1 CA 2546686A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- reservoir
- membrane
- roller
- fluid
- housing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M23/00—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges
- C12M23/26—Constructional details, e.g. recesses, hinges flexible
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F31/00—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms
- B01F31/55—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms the materials to be mixed being contained in a flexible bag submitted to periodical deformation
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
- C12M—APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS
- C12M33/00—Means for introduction, transport, positioning, extraction, harvesting, peeling or sampling of biological material in or from the apparatus
- C12M33/18—Rollers
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Microbiology (AREA)
- Biotechnology (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
- Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)
Abstract
In a tool for incubating solutions on a membrane in biochemistry, it is known to a have solution containing container and some means of circulating said solution. In this invention the container is a sealed, reasonably air free bag with a valve for changing solvents that contains the membrane and the fluid. This bag is placed in a roller driven solution circulator which can be suspended via an upper hook portion. Since the membrane is in a sealed bag as opposed to an open dish, much less solution is required to completely bathe the membrane. In addition there is no loss of bench top space as the invention can be suspended.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
The invention relates to an apparatus for circulating fluid in a vertically orientated enclosure. More specifically, this invention relates to such devices, which occupy minimal bench space as they are able they can be suspended.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Currently, many molecular biology techniques involve adsorbents upon a membrane to visualize varying levels of expression at a genomic (Southern blot) transcriptnomic (Northern Blot) and Proteomic (Western Blot). During the preparation of these membranes, molecules are transferred over to the membrane and then a molecule specific probe is used for detection on said membrane. The process involves several incubations and washes that follow a particular sequence.
Presently, the majority of this work is conducted using a tray containing the membrane and the solution on a conventional rocker or a shaker.
Both rocker and shaker apparatuses attempt to circulate the fluid while constantly keeping the membrane submerged in fluid. In the conventional rocker, the tray holding the membrane in fluid must be tipped (or "rocked") from side to side to achieve efficient amplitude. This technique requires a large volume of fluid, and any attempt to decrease the volume of the fluid used has a consequence of reducing the tipping amplitude, and hence uieffective mixing efficiencv. In the conventional shaker, the membrane is placed in a rectangular tray together with the reagent fluid and the tray is shaken with a circular motion. This technique does not require excessive volumes of fluid since the tray with the membraue is held horiz.ontal at all times. How-ever, since mixing is less efficient near the center of the tray, this becomes a limiting factor in the time required for sonie processing protocols.
Therefore, the requirement for excess fluid volumes and limited mixing efficiency are major drawbacks of both conventional apparatuses. In addition, conventional bench top laboratory apparatuses are inefficient because they occupy a large amount of valuable work area.
Several attempts have been made to improve the techniques for staining and fixing of membranes for biological assays. As disclosed in United States Patent 5,674,006 inventors Islam et al., entitled Fluid Circulation Apparatus, assigned to Hoefer Phanvacia Biotech, Ine., specially designed trays can be used to minimize the amount of fluid used in the wahing steps of gel staining.
The invention relates to an apparatus for circulating fluid in a vertically orientated enclosure. More specifically, this invention relates to such devices, which occupy minimal bench space as they are able they can be suspended.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Currently, many molecular biology techniques involve adsorbents upon a membrane to visualize varying levels of expression at a genomic (Southern blot) transcriptnomic (Northern Blot) and Proteomic (Western Blot). During the preparation of these membranes, molecules are transferred over to the membrane and then a molecule specific probe is used for detection on said membrane. The process involves several incubations and washes that follow a particular sequence.
Presently, the majority of this work is conducted using a tray containing the membrane and the solution on a conventional rocker or a shaker.
Both rocker and shaker apparatuses attempt to circulate the fluid while constantly keeping the membrane submerged in fluid. In the conventional rocker, the tray holding the membrane in fluid must be tipped (or "rocked") from side to side to achieve efficient amplitude. This technique requires a large volume of fluid, and any attempt to decrease the volume of the fluid used has a consequence of reducing the tipping amplitude, and hence uieffective mixing efficiencv. In the conventional shaker, the membrane is placed in a rectangular tray together with the reagent fluid and the tray is shaken with a circular motion. This technique does not require excessive volumes of fluid since the tray with the membraue is held horiz.ontal at all times. How-ever, since mixing is less efficient near the center of the tray, this becomes a limiting factor in the time required for sonie processing protocols.
Therefore, the requirement for excess fluid volumes and limited mixing efficiency are major drawbacks of both conventional apparatuses. In addition, conventional bench top laboratory apparatuses are inefficient because they occupy a large amount of valuable work area.
Several attempts have been made to improve the techniques for staining and fixing of membranes for biological assays. As disclosed in United States Patent 5,674,006 inventors Islam et al., entitled Fluid Circulation Apparatus, assigned to Hoefer Phanvacia Biotech, Ine., specially designed trays can be used to minimize the amount of fluid used in the wahing steps of gel staining.
Also, it is a further goal to provide an apparatus which can automatically be loaded, drained and recharged with a reagent-containing fluid, such as The Freedom RockerrM
produced by Next Advance, Inc. Another automated staining apparatus, known as HoeferTM
Processor PIusTM
produces by General Electric Company describes an apparatus and a process for automating the application of staining reagents to membranes for various biocheinical assays.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
We have found these disadvantages may be overcome by the use of a vertically suspendable apparatus that applies massaging pressure to a sealed flexible container containing the required solution and membrane. Such an apparatus would enable the suspension of the entire incubation process' and hence no lost bench top area. Also, the use of the membrane inside the sealed container inniimize the amount of solvent required to saturate the membrane since the volume in this sealed container is less than that of an open dish.
In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a sealable bag containing the membrane and solution is fitted in an apparatus.
In accordance with another aspect, a main body comprising a backing plate is attached to a housing. Said housing holds the mechanical apparatus required for moving the solution in the bag.
The said mechanical apparatus comprises a motor driven threaded drive which runs along the height inside the housing. Said drive attaches in to a spring loaded roller. Said roller exerts a pressure against the solution and membrane containing bag.
The roller mentioned, exerts a sufficient pressure to the bag which is backed by the mentioned backing plate. The roller, driven by the threaded drive travels in a alternating up and down motion. Once the roller reaches the up most part of the bag the pressure exerted by the filled bag on the roller must be sufficient to compress the spring(s) on said roller allowing the solution to escape to the bottom of said bag.
produced by Next Advance, Inc. Another automated staining apparatus, known as HoeferTM
Processor PIusTM
produces by General Electric Company describes an apparatus and a process for automating the application of staining reagents to membranes for various biocheinical assays.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
We have found these disadvantages may be overcome by the use of a vertically suspendable apparatus that applies massaging pressure to a sealed flexible container containing the required solution and membrane. Such an apparatus would enable the suspension of the entire incubation process' and hence no lost bench top area. Also, the use of the membrane inside the sealed container inniimize the amount of solvent required to saturate the membrane since the volume in this sealed container is less than that of an open dish.
In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a sealable bag containing the membrane and solution is fitted in an apparatus.
In accordance with another aspect, a main body comprising a backing plate is attached to a housing. Said housing holds the mechanical apparatus required for moving the solution in the bag.
The said mechanical apparatus comprises a motor driven threaded drive which runs along the height inside the housing. Said drive attaches in to a spring loaded roller. Said roller exerts a pressure against the solution and membrane containing bag.
The roller mentioned, exerts a sufficient pressure to the bag which is backed by the mentioned backing plate. The roller, driven by the threaded drive travels in a alternating up and down motion. Once the roller reaches the up most part of the bag the pressure exerted by the filled bag on the roller must be sufficient to compress the spring(s) on said roller allowing the solution to escape to the bottom of said bag.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 depicts a cross section the preferred embodinient of the internal mechanisms of the apparatus, including the roller, the drive means, the motor, the support wall and the reservoir with much of the housing removed.
Figure 2 depicts the preferred embodiment of the reservoir mounted upon the support wall using clips and including valves for draining fluid, as during an automated process.
Figure 3 depicts the preferred embodiment of the apparatus from a top view with the housing and valves removed.
Figure 4 depicts a preferred embodiment of a clip that can close the housing and exert a counter-pressure from the support wall to the roller while hanging the apparatus from a hook to conserve bench space.
Figure 5 depicts an inside frontal view of the apparatus. It depicts the embodiment of the rollers 1 and the threaded rods 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawings, and with specific reference initially to Fig.
1, a threaded rod 8 embodying the drive means is turned by a motor 6, unparting movement through a transmission 7.
The movement of the threaded rod 8 then drives a spring arm 4 to drive a roller 1, which turns on an axle 5. The roller traverses the height of a reservoir 12.
The spring arm 4 contains a spring 3 which serves to maintain pressure on the inner wa1126, which protects the mechanical apparatus from possible spillage of the reservoir 12.
As solution 25 pressure builds at the extremes of the reservoir, the spring 3 depresses to allow the solution to flow in the opposite direction of the drive means movement, thus circulating the solution.
The spring 3 is embodied as a coil spring although alternate embodiments, such as a flat spring, are not excluded.
Figure 1 depicts a cross section the preferred embodinient of the internal mechanisms of the apparatus, including the roller, the drive means, the motor, the support wall and the reservoir with much of the housing removed.
Figure 2 depicts the preferred embodiment of the reservoir mounted upon the support wall using clips and including valves for draining fluid, as during an automated process.
Figure 3 depicts the preferred embodiment of the apparatus from a top view with the housing and valves removed.
Figure 4 depicts a preferred embodiment of a clip that can close the housing and exert a counter-pressure from the support wall to the roller while hanging the apparatus from a hook to conserve bench space.
Figure 5 depicts an inside frontal view of the apparatus. It depicts the embodiment of the rollers 1 and the threaded rods 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawings, and with specific reference initially to Fig.
1, a threaded rod 8 embodying the drive means is turned by a motor 6, unparting movement through a transmission 7.
The movement of the threaded rod 8 then drives a spring arm 4 to drive a roller 1, which turns on an axle 5. The roller traverses the height of a reservoir 12.
The spring arm 4 contains a spring 3 which serves to maintain pressure on the inner wa1126, which protects the mechanical apparatus from possible spillage of the reservoir 12.
As solution 25 pressure builds at the extremes of the reservoir, the spring 3 depresses to allow the solution to flow in the opposite direction of the drive means movement, thus circulating the solution.
The spring 3 is embodied as a coil spring although alternate embodiments, such as a flat spring, are not excluded.
The reservoir 12 is also embodied with valves 10 and 11 in Fig. 2, which may be incorporated into an automated process for running appropriate experiments. The reservoir is held in place with clips 18 to the support wall 12. A hinge 20 opens the support wall 14 for access to the reservoir 12.
Alteniate embodinients of filling and emptying the reservoir and holding the reservoir in place are possible and the apparatus is not limited to the above embodiments.
The roller 1 is dimensioned at least as wide as the reservoir and as it traverses to the top of the reservoir 12. In Fig 2, two threaded rods 8 are depicted from top view, which transfers power evenlv from the motor to the length of the axle 5. Pinions 9 stabilize the rod rotation from above.
Depending on the mass of the roller 1 and the axle and their power needs, other embodiments such as a stationary unthreaded second rod may be possible.
The drive means may also be embodied by a chain or belt structure and is not limited to the above embodiment of a threaded rod, and the spring arm 4 may be mounted in another way appropriate to the drive means.
A membrane 13 may be nitrocellulose, polyvinylidene flouride, or other compound appropriate to the experiment being run. The solution 25 enclosed within the reservoir 12 may be phosphate buffer, a powdered milk-PBS solution, which also may contain an antibody or a flourescent-tagged nucleotide probe, as appropriate to the experiment.
Alteniate embodinients of filling and emptying the reservoir and holding the reservoir in place are possible and the apparatus is not limited to the above embodiments.
The roller 1 is dimensioned at least as wide as the reservoir and as it traverses to the top of the reservoir 12. In Fig 2, two threaded rods 8 are depicted from top view, which transfers power evenlv from the motor to the length of the axle 5. Pinions 9 stabilize the rod rotation from above.
Depending on the mass of the roller 1 and the axle and their power needs, other embodiments such as a stationary unthreaded second rod may be possible.
The drive means may also be embodied by a chain or belt structure and is not limited to the above embodiment of a threaded rod, and the spring arm 4 may be mounted in another way appropriate to the drive means.
A membrane 13 may be nitrocellulose, polyvinylidene flouride, or other compound appropriate to the experiment being run. The solution 25 enclosed within the reservoir 12 may be phosphate buffer, a powdered milk-PBS solution, which also may contain an antibody or a flourescent-tagged nucleotide probe, as appropriate to the experiment.
Claims (9)
1 THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR
PRIVELEDGE IS CLAIMED IS DEFINED AS FOLLOWS
1. A fluid circulating apparatus comprising:
a) A membrane suspended within a fluid;
b) A reservoir which contains said fluid and said membrane, also comprising means of emptying and filling said reservoir;
c) At least one roller which exerts pressure on said fluid as the roller(s) traverse(s) the body of said reservoir;
d) A driving means of imparting movement to said roller(s) that is driven by a motor.
PRIVELEDGE IS CLAIMED IS DEFINED AS FOLLOWS
1. A fluid circulating apparatus comprising:
a) A membrane suspended within a fluid;
b) A reservoir which contains said fluid and said membrane, also comprising means of emptying and filling said reservoir;
c) At least one roller which exerts pressure on said fluid as the roller(s) traverse(s) the body of said reservoir;
d) A driving means of imparting movement to said roller(s) that is driven by a motor.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a spring loaded arm on which the roller is mounted via an axle and affixed to the driving means.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 also comprising a power source for said motor.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 comprised of the roller being at least as wide as said reservoir and the drive means capable of transporting said roller the height of said membrane.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising housing having two faces having a larger portion and a smaller portion with the said larger portion being attached to the smaller portion.
6. The housing as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a support wall for the reservoir on which is affixed a soft surface adjacent to said reservoir.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a means for affixing the reservoir of claim 1 within the housing of claim 6.
8. The housing as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a means of accessing the reservoir.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 also comprising a means of keeping said roller parallel with the membrane
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002546686A CA2546686A1 (en) | 2006-05-12 | 2006-05-12 | Roller driven solution circulator |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002546686A CA2546686A1 (en) | 2006-05-12 | 2006-05-12 | Roller driven solution circulator |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2546686A1 true CA2546686A1 (en) | 2007-11-12 |
Family
ID=38686888
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002546686A Abandoned CA2546686A1 (en) | 2006-05-12 | 2006-05-12 | Roller driven solution circulator |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2546686A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2009093995A1 (en) * | 2008-01-25 | 2009-07-30 | Xcellerex, Inc. | Bag wrinkel remover, leak detection systems, and electromagnetic agitation for liquid containment systems |
| CN108889085A (en) * | 2018-08-07 | 2018-11-27 | 石宏扬 | A kind of coking equipment for denitrifying flue gas |
| WO2018215743A1 (en) * | 2017-05-22 | 2018-11-29 | Cambtek Limited | Apparatus for agitating a liquid |
-
2006
- 2006-05-12 CA CA002546686A patent/CA2546686A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2009093995A1 (en) * | 2008-01-25 | 2009-07-30 | Xcellerex, Inc. | Bag wrinkel remover, leak detection systems, and electromagnetic agitation for liquid containment systems |
| WO2018215743A1 (en) * | 2017-05-22 | 2018-11-29 | Cambtek Limited | Apparatus for agitating a liquid |
| CN108889085A (en) * | 2018-08-07 | 2018-11-27 | 石宏扬 | A kind of coking equipment for denitrifying flue gas |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |