Advisor: Paul Thompson TISSUE SAMPLE PREPARATION DEVICE FOR BIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS Clients: Dr. Jeff Ross, Charles Tessier UW Medical School Department of Oncology Presented by: Sara Alford Christine Koranda Carla Maas Ryan Roth Advisor: Paul Thompson
PROJECT RATIONALE Biochemical analysis on tumor sample Automation in preparation process Potential clinical applications
PROBLEM STATEMENT To design a device that completes the preparation process done manually to prepare a tissue sample for biochemical analysis. Freeze tissue (with liquid nitrogen) Grind tissue to a powder
EXISTING TECHNOLOGY Jet Pulverizer© Bio-Pulverizer© BeadBeater© Accessed from www.jetpul.com Bio-Pulverizer© Accessed from www.biospec.com BeadBeater© Accessed from www.biospec.com
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS Freeze sample (<1 gram) Grind to powder similar to powdered sugar (~10 mm) Avoid sample loss
DESIGN CONSTRAINTS Materials must withstand cold temperatures (-196oC) Device should fit on a lab bench Components easy to clean
Pneumatic Impulse Sampler DESIGN SOLUTION Pneumatic Impulse Sampler Strengths Grinding pattern control Inexpensive Constant downward force Weakness Compressed air required
PROTOTYPE FEATURES Pneumatic cylinder Grinding head Electrical control Grinding chamber Insulating chamber
GRINDING CHAMBER AND HEAD Matching contours Minimal sample spray Stainless steel design 4” 1”
INSULATING CHAMBER Stainless steel Polystyrene Inner shell Provides support and connection Polystyrene Outer shell Provides insulation for grinding chamber 4” 2.75”
PNEUMATIC SYSTEM COMPONENTS air supply regulator solenoid valve pneumatic cylinder pivot mount
Improvement on flasher Astable mode → pulses ELECTRICAL CONTROL Improvement on flasher More control over time on/off Astable mode → pulses 555 timer circuit → logic relay Potentiometer to change values
R2, C – extend ON and OFF time Pot – extends only ON time
ELECTRICAL CONTROL
MISCELLANEOUS COMPONENTS Christmas light flasher Christmas lights Spiked fitting off regulator 1/4” tubing Ring clamps
OPERATIONAL PROTOTYPE Cylinder pounds 3-4 times/second Rod does not completely retract Ideal: avoids sample spillage Cylinder fitting and tubing protrude too far Interferes with alignment Need elbow joint
OPERATIONAL PROTOTYPE
PROTOTYPE TESTING Preliminary Test: grinding room temperature substance Secondary Test: integrate cooling meat or mouse liver with liquid nitrogen Final Testing: quantify grinding centrifuge and measure loose protein
FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS Space constraints Reduce excess base size to save lab space Minimize buckling Increase range of movement at current pivot joint Temperature alarm Informs technician to add more coolant Integrate twisting motion Shearing forces grind sample
QUESTIONS?