Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Apparatus – Involving lysis of a microorganism by means other than...
Patent
1996-03-27
1998-03-24
Redding, David A.
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Apparatus
Involving lysis of a microorganism by means other than...
241 825, 241 83, 241 88, 241 894, 241194, C12M 300
Patent
active
057311994
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a mechanical triturator or grinder for biological materials such as animal or vegetable tissues and the like, which is suitable for laboratory and/or industrial use to produce separate cells or cell nuclei, for example, for biopsy or DNA analysis.
The object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical device which avoids lengthy and tedious mechanical chopping operations carried out with scalpels or the like and enzymatic cell-separation treatments.
According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a mechanical triturator comprising: transversely in the chamber 4 so as to define an input portion 12 for the supply of the material to be triturated and a portion 14 for collecting the triturated material, and which has a plurality of blades extending from the general plane of the plate 6 into the input portion 12, grinding member 20 which is fixed to the rotor 16 and is disposed in the input portion 12, and cooperates with the cutting member 6 in order, as a result of its rotation, to supply the biological material into contact with the blades and to cause the trituration thereof.
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear in the course of the detailed description which follows, given purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic, axial section of a triturator according to the invention,
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the triturator of FIG. 1, and
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show schematically the sequence of use of the triturator according to the invention.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a triturator, indicated 1, comprises a cylindrical housing 2 of plastics material defining a chamber 4.
A cutting member constituted by a perforated plate 6 or disc is disposed transversely in the chamber 4. The plate 6 may be produced by the punching and stretching of a stainless steel plate. The perforations in the plate have preferably dimensions of between 20 and 100 .mu.m and the edges of each microperforation constitute trituration blades. The microperforations can be produced by punches with any profile and preferably square or hexagonal profiles so that the perforated plate 6 preferably has from four to six blades surrounding each hole.
A peripheral edge of the perforated plate bears against a shoulder 8 of the cylindrical housing 2 and the perforated plate is fixed to the latter by means of a cylindrical bush 10 coupled with the cylindrical internal wall of the housing 2.
The perforated plate 6 divides the chamber 4 of the housing 2 into an input portion 12 for the supply of the material to be triturated and a portion 14 for collecting the triturated material. The blades of the perforated plate 6 are oriented towards the input portion 12.
A rotor member 16 disposed in the chamber 4 of the housing 2 comprises a shaft 18 to which a grinding member or screw 20 is fixed; the screw 20 being disposed in the input portion 12 of the chamber 4 and cooperating with the perforated plate 6 in order, as a result of its rotation at high speed, to supply the biological material into contact with the blades of the perforated plate 6 so as to cause the trituration of the material. The shaft 18 is supported for rotation by a plain bearing 22 integral with the bush 10. The bearing 22 is connected to the side walls of the bush 10 by means of two or more spokes 24 between which holes are defined for the introduction of the material to be triturated.
The upper portion of the cylindrical housing 2 is closed by a cover 26 having a central hole 28 through which the shaft 18 extends.
The rotor member 16 also comprises a sweeping blade member or rotary screw 30 having one or more flat blades. The sweeping blade member 30 is fixed to an end of the shaft 18 which projects into the collection portion 14 through a hole 32 in the perforated plate 6. The blade member 30 is adjacent and parallel to the lower surface of the plate in the collection portion and, in operation, creates an upwards
REFERENCES:
patent: 1480969 (1924-01-01), Thomson
patent: 2801665 (1957-08-01), Hortnagl
patent: 3666187 (1972-05-01), Norris
patent: 5330916 (1994-07-01), Williams et al.
LandOfFree
Mechanical triturator for biological material does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Mechanical triturator for biological material, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Mechanical triturator for biological material will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2288138