EP1533024A1 - Device for disintegration of agglomerates, in particular to break up microparticles by the movement of a piston in a container - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus to break down clumps of micro-particles, in a suspension, has a container (2) to hold the suspension with an internal piston (6) given a reciprocating movement within the cylinder chamber (4). The piston divides the chamber into two zones (16,18) and, as the piston moves up and down, the suspension is forced through a narrow flow path (12) between the piston and the cylinder wall to move between the zones in a forced flow followed by turbulence (20). The piston rod (10) projects through the container cover (8), to be operated manually or by an electromotor.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for crushing in a suspension of existing agglomerates of particles.

Suspensions are used in various fields of engineering and in particular used in the field of chemistry. To find z. B. for analytical purposes in medical-diagnostic field suspensions of microparticles, so-called beads, use on whose surfaces capture molecules, e.g. DNA, immobilized which are to be examined with certain analytes Probe can undergo a metrologically detectable binding. at these diagnostic or analytical applications but also in In other uses of suspensions, the problem arises that the solid microparticles distributed in the liquid in question agglomerates form. This is due in particular to electrostatic forces and Van der Waals interactions between microparticles. Such Agglomerates may be the optimal utilization of the suspension in the respective Hinder use case.

Devices and methods are known which prevent the formation of Counteract agglomerates and reduce existing agglomerates should. For this purpose u. a. conventional mixing devices used, such. B. agitators. When stirring the suspension are on Reason the stirring forces on the agglomerates of microparticles exercising the attractive forces between the microparticles counteract. The stirring produces in particular Shear flows and these in turn shear forces acting on the agglomerates act and lead to the reduction of agglomerates.

The hitherto known devices and methods have the disadvantage that they are not agglomerates in suspensions for certain applications can crush sufficiently strong. By means of the known Stirring devices either have to accept long stirring times or high stirring speeds are needed. Both are included certain applications disadvantageous, especially since the temporal Effectiveness is low or possibly connected to the microparticles application-specific reagents by the stirring of the Microparticles can be detached.

From the paper "Dispersibility of Applied Chemistry" by K. Higashitani, Proceedings of Second World Congress PARTICLE TECHNOLOGY, Sept. 19-22, 1990, Kyoto, Japan, is known to reduce agglomerates Dehnströmungen or Longitudinalströmungen with flow acceleration can be used. The due to the expansion currents cause hydrodynamic forces acting on the agglomerates a significantly improved comminution of the agglomerates. to Generation of the expansion flows, the suspension should be e.g. by a Opening, d. H. a constriction within the flow path of the suspension, be directed.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a to provide over the prior art improved device with the more effective reduction of agglomerates in suspensions can be achieved.

The inventive device for crushing agglomerates Particles in suspension comprise a container for receiving the Suspension and at least one fluid displacement agent, preferably in Shape of a piston which is movable in the container to suspension between to move two spatial areas of a cavity arrangement of the container, wherein the two space regions through at least one a bottleneck defining flow path for the suspension interconnected are.

Due to the displacement of the piston caused by the piston movement Suspension it comes to a strong acceleration of the suspension their flow through the bottleneck. The above already work with reference to the paper by K. Higashitani hydrodynamic tensile forces or tensile forces on the agglomerates in the Suspension. It comes to an efficient crushing of Agglomerates, in addition, a good mixing effect of Suspension takes place. It is with a device according to the invention possible, in a suspension in a relatively short time the so-called stable To achieve state smallest possible agglomerates. A noteworthy further Crushing of agglomerates is no longer justifiable Effort possible.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fluid displacement means a in one of the two space areas containing Cylinder chamber axially reciprocable and a boundary between the space forming piston, which in its reciprocating motion taken in the cylinder chamber suspension alternately from a Room area in the other room area through the bottleneck can displace. Such an embodiment of the device according to the invention can be easily realized and operated. So can the narrowing defining flow path, for example, a den Piston axially penetrating hole may be formed. When moving the The piston in the cylinder chamber can then become smaller Raumbereich displaced suspension through the axial hole in the piston through in the growing space area, wherein in the area the constriction is a high flow velocity is generated and it too a strong acceleration of the flow with the effect of Breaking apart the agglomerates comes. The same occurring turbulence in the suspension ensures a fast Particle transport in the liquid and thus to a good Mixing or homogenization of the suspension. Through the back and forth Movement of the piston will be the suspension between the two Spaces moving back and forth, each time the bottleneck must flow through, as the cylinder chamber during operation of the Crushing device is substantially closed to the outside.

After a relatively short time is achieved so that the original existing larger agglomerates are comminuted as much as possible and a good one Mixing is present. The suspension thus prepared can then be removed from the Cylinder chamber or from the container through an openable valve or Like. Applied and supplied to the intended use become.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that at each piston stroke a small amount of the suspension by a very small opening out of the container - and still too treating suspension of appropriate amount by another small Opening is introduced into the container.

Of course, several small axial bores or the like. In the Piston be provided, which has a flow path for the displaced Suspension can form.

According to another embodiment, the bottleneck defining Flow path from an annular gap between the piston peripheral wall and formed the cylinder chamber wall. In such a case, it is recommended the piston axially movable on an outwardly guided piston rod lead, as a guide on the cylinder chamber peripheral wall does not take place.

According to another embodiment, this is the bottleneck defining Flow path through at least one radial recess in the piston peripheral wall educated.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the two space areas through a the flow path for the Suspension forming and extending outside the cylinder chamber Fluid line are interconnected. In such a case it can be provided that the piston, the two spatial areas substantially sealing separates, so that the displaced suspension only over the external fluid line from one room area to the other room area each can dodge.

The actuation of the piston can according to an embodiment of the invention done manually. In a further embodiment of the invention a drive motor is provided for the reciprocation of the piston.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention is the Apparatus for crushing agglomerates into an automatic Analysis system for the chemical analysis of molecules, in particular Biomolecules, integrated. The solid phase of the suspension consists in a preferably such case of beads, so microparticles with it immobilized capture molecules, which specifically with analytes one of Suspension added and analyzed sample, e.g. Body fluid of a living being, can form a bond, wherein this bond with metrological means of the analysis system, about spectroscopic means, is detectable.

The device according to the invention is very good for shrinking in this sense of agglomerates of microparticles (beads) suitable to the medical-diagnostic reagents are attached. In such Medical diagnostic applications become particularly high Requirements for the suspensions, as largely avoided must be that the bondable to be exposed to the sample material Surface of the beads is reduced by agglomerates.

Fig. 1a und Fig. 1b

zeigen in einer schematischen Seitenansicht ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung in zwei Momentaufnahmen während des Betriebs der Vorrichtung;

Fig. 2a

zeigt in einer schematischen Seitenansicht ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel der Vorrichtung nach der Erfindung;

Fig. 2b

zeigt eine Ansicht von unten auf den Kolben der Vorrichtung aus Fig. 2a;

Fig. 3a

zeigt in einer schematischen Seitenansicht ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel;

Fig. 3b

zeigt in einer Ansicht von unten den Kolben der Vorrichtung aus Fig. 3a;

Fig. 4

zeigt in einer schematischen Seitenansicht ein viertes Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b

show in a schematic side view of an embodiment of the invention in two snapshots during operation of the device;

Fig. 2a

shows a schematic side view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Fig. 2b

shows a view from below of the piston of the device of Fig. 2a;

Fig. 3a

shows a schematic side view of a third embodiment;

Fig. 3b

shows in a view from below the piston of the device of Fig. 3a;

Fig. 4

shows a schematic side view of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

The device for reducing agglomerates of particles in one Suspension according to FIG. 1 a and FIG. 1 b has a cylindrical container 2, in FIG the cylinder chamber 4, a piston 6 arranged axially back and forth is. The piston 6 has a sealed by the upper end face. 8 the cylinder container 2 guided piston rod 10, which manually operated is to axially reciprocate the piston 6 in the cylinder chamber 4. In a variant of the embodiment of Figs. 1a and 1b can a drive motor, e.g. Electric motor, with the piston rod in Drive connection to the strokes of the piston 6 to produce.

The diameter of the in Figures 1a and 1b substantially radially Centrally centered piston 6 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter the cylinder chamber 4, so that between the piston circumference and the inner peripheral surface the cylinder chamber 4 is a narrow annular gap 12. This annular gap 12 represents a flow path defining a constriction for the recorded in the cylinder chamber 4 suspension 14. The Suspension 14 can therefore pass through the annular gap 12 between the two divided by the piston 6 space regions 16 and 18 of the cylinder chamber 4 stream.

Fig. 1a shows a snapshot during the movement of the piston 6 after below. The piston 6 displaces suspension from the space area 18 through the annular gap 12 into the space area 16. The on the Piston 6 applied driving force is such that the Suspension fluid with high flow velocity the constriction 12 happens, with the suspension just before entering the bottleneck 12th experiences a strong flow acceleration. On any agglomerates in the suspension act in this area of strongly accelerated Elongation flow stretching forces necessary for breaking up the agglomerates to lead.

Like the simplified qualitative representation of the flow behavior indicated flow arrows 20 are due to the high Flow rate of the suspension when entering the larger expectant space area 16 generates turbulence. This has a blend effect and contributes to the desired homogenization of the suspension at.

Fig. 1 b shows a snapshot, in which the piston 6 moves upward is, with suspension 14 from the now decreasing space area 16 through the constriction 12 through in the growing space area 18th is displaced. Upon entry and passage through the annular gap 12 experienced any agglomerates in the suspension already mentioned Elongation forces in the accelerated elongation flow.

Is the suspension 14 after a correspondingly frequent axial reciprocation of the piston 6 sufficiently finely dispersed, so can in an outlet seated check valve 22 are opened to the suspension of the intended to be used further.

At 24, a check valve in a supply line to the cylinder 2 is designated. After opening this check valve 24 can thus new suspension of the cylinder chamber 4 for treatment in the device according to the invention be supplied.

To explain the further embodiments of the invention are in the figures concerned elements that are functional and / or constructive Elements of the first embodiment correspond with, accordingly the same reference numerals.

The second embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 2a and Fig. 3a differs from the first embodiment only in that that the piston 6 of the second embodiment has a larger diameter D has, so that he immediately at his axial reciprocation is slidably guided on the inner wall of the cylinder chamber 4. As can be seen in particular in Fig. 2b, but the piston 6 has radial and axial through recesses 12, which communicate with the inner wall of the cylinder chamber Figure 4 shows a restricted flow path for the suspension in its by back and forth movement of the piston 6 forced back and forth Herströmung between the space regions 16 and 18 forms.

In the third embodiment of FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b is it also a modification of the already with reference to the Figures 1a and 1b explained the first embodiment. The piston 6 is in the third embodiment slidably with its peripheral wall the inner wall of the cylinder chamber 4 is guided. As a flow path for the Suspension during the displacement between the two spatial regions 16 and 18 serve axial through holes 12 in the piston 6. In the example of Fig. 3b four through holes 12 are shown. It can of course depending on the application more or less through holes be.

The fourth embodiment according to FIG. 4 has one of the spatial regions 16 and 18 are substantially sealingly separate from each other piston 6 on. As a flow path with bottleneck or large flow resistance an external fluid line 12 is provided, which the space regions 16 and 18 of the cylinder chamber 4 connects.

Claims (10)

Apparatus for comminuting agglomerates from particles in a suspension, with a container (2) for receiving the suspension and at least one fluid displacement means which is movable in the container (2) to move suspension between two spatial regions (16, 18) of a cavity arrangement (4) of the container (2), wherein the two space regions (16, 18) through at least one Constriction defining flow path (12) for the suspension are interconnected. Apparatus for crushing agglomerates according to claim 1,
wherein the fluid displacement means (6) is a piston (6) axially reciprocable in a cylinder chamber (4) containing the two spatial regions (16, 18) and defining a boundary between the spatial regions (16, 18), the piston (6 ) in its reciprocation in the cylinder chamber (4) taken suspension can alternately from one space area (16, 18) in the other space area (18, 16) through the constriction (12) through it. Apparatus for crushing agglomerates according to claim 2,
wherein the flow passage defining the constriction (12 in Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b) is formed by a hole (Fig. 3a, 3b) passing through the piston (6) in particular axially. Apparatus for crushing agglomerates according to claim 2,
wherein the flow passage defining the throat (12) is formed by a gap (12) between the piston perimeter wall and the cylinder chamber wall. Apparatus for crushing agglomerates according to claim 4,
wherein the gap is an annular gap (12 in Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b) encircling the piston circumferential wall. Apparatus for crushing agglomerates according to claim 4,
wherein the gap is formed by a radial recess (12 in Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b) in the piston peripheral wall. Apparatus for crushing agglomerates according to claim 2,
wherein the two space regions (16, 18) are connected to one another by a fluid line (12 in FIG. 4) forming the flow path for the suspension and extending at least partially outside the cylinder chamber (4). Apparatus for crushing agglomerates according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a drive motor for the reciprocation of the fluid displacement means. Device for crushing agglomerates according to one of previous claims, wherein the fluid displacement means (6) is manually reciprocable in the container (2). Device for crushing agglomerates according to one of previous claims, wherein they are in an automatic Analysis system for the chemical analysis of molecules, in particular Biomolecules, is integrated.

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