This disclosure relates to electrical systems, and separation sampling modules for use within a bucket of a centrifuge.
In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for electrically grounding an electronic device disposed in a housing and a generally surrounding metal structure. The method includes positioning the electronic device disposed in the housing in the generally surrounding metal structure, and electrically connecting the electronic device with an inside portion of the generally surrounding metal structure.
In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for wirelessly transmitting data from an electronic device disposed in a housing from a generally surrounding metal structure. The method includes positioning the electronic device comprising a transmitter disposed in a housing in the generally surrounding metal structure, and electrically connecting the electronic device with an inside portion of the generally surrounding metal structure so that the surrounding metal structure acts as an antenna.
In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides the above methods wherein the generally surrounding metal structure is disposed in a generally surrounding electrically grounded second electronic device.
In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides the above methods in which the electrically connecting comprises automatically electrically connecting the electronic device with the inside portion of the generally surrounding metal structure when positioning the electronic device disposed in the housing in the generally surrounding metal structure.
In a fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides an electrical system which includes a first housing portion, a first portion of an electrical device disposed in the first housing, a second housing portion releaseably attachable to the first housing portion, and a second portion of the electrical device disposed in the second housing portion. The first portion of the electrical device is electrically releaseably connectable to the second portion of the electrical device when the first housing portion is releaseably connectable to the second housing portion.
In a sixth aspect, the present disclosure provides a separation sampling module for use within a bucket of a centrifuge for monitoring separation of a sample in a container. The separation sampling module includes a housing operable for supporting the container for containing the sample and removably positionable within the bucket of the centrifuge, at least one light source for illuminating the sample, at least one light detector for detecting light from the sample, and at least one of a power source and a connector operably connectable to a power source for use in powering the at least one light source. Light from the at least one light source passing through the sample defines a light path disposed in a direction across the direction of a centrifugal force when the separation sampling module is disposed in the bucket and rotated in the centrifuge.
In a seventh aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for separating a sample disposed in a container. The method includes rotating the container containing the sample about an axis to apply a centrifugal force on the sample with the centrifugal force defining a rotating radial direction, projecting light onto the rotating sample, and detecting light emitted from the rotating sample. The projected light through the sample defines a light path disposed in a direction across the direction of the centrifugal force when the separation sampling module is rotated.
Additional features and advantages are realized through the concepts of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claims.
Various aspects of the present disclosure are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed as examples in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The ability to quantify interactions between biomolecules is of great interest for scientific and medical research, as well as for drug development. Examples of measurable characteristics of a biomolecular interaction include the affinity (e.g., how strongly the molecules bind/interact) and the kinetics (e.g., rates at which the association and dissociation of molecules occur) of the interaction. Traditionally, such characteristics are measured in solution, using methods such as calorimetry, stop-flow imaging, or surface plasmon resonance. These bulk measurements are limited in many ways, including 1) they report only average behavior and thus may lose important details associated with metastable states and rare events, and 2) they measure chemistry in the absence of externally applied mechanical stress, which can be dramatically different from crowded and dynamic environments in living systems.
In spinning force systems, a motion of a particle (e.g., displacement caused by molecular folding, unfolding or rupture of a bond) can be observed by video tracking methods (e.g., by taking successive images of the particle at a high temporal resolution). In spinning force systems, a light source, a sample and an objective rotate together at the same angular velocity ω, these three components appear stationary to each other in a rotating reference frame. Therefore, images of the particle can be formed using traditional imaging techniques, including transmitted-or reflected-light techniques and fluorescence techniques.
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Computing unit 2140 may be any type of computing unit having a processor 2142, a memory 2144 and input/output devices 2146. For example, the computing unit may be a personal computer operating a WINDOWS operating system or Apple OSX operating system, a Unix system, or a tablet computer or smart phone, and configured to communicate such as wirelessly with CFM module 2200.
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The 45-degree turning mirror may be disposed at the base of the legs of the optical module to redirect the light paths to accommodate a longer path length. It will be appreciated from the present description that in other embodiments, the design need not include turning mirrors. The optical module may additionally include illumination components such as diffusers, lenses, and apertures including pinholes, translation stage for focusing the sample, and/or relay lenses. As noted above, support 2670 may be disposed with opening 2675 positioned to the side for access to the sample when the CFM module is assembled. Other embodiments of an optical module may include a light source. For example, a light source may be operably attached to a support below the sample. To house the optics, commercially available lens tubes and components by Thorlabs may be employed. To reduce weight, the housing from the objective lens may be removed, and instead use a custom threaded adapter to mate the objective threads with the standard lens tube threads. An open lens tube for support 2670 may be used so that the sample chamber can be more readily interchanged. In operation of the sampling system, the optical module comprises an optical axis disposed substantially perpendicular to an axis of the centrifuge.
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In other embodiments, a plurality of the CFM modules may be employed in multiple buckets. In still other embodiments, wireless communication may be provided between at least two CFM modules disposed in two buckets.
The optical module may provide fixed or adjustable dimensions between the various components so that focused images are obtainable. In other embodiments, instead of the detector, imager, or camera being a part of the optical module, the detector, imager, or camera may be part of the electronics module. For example, the detector, imager, or camera may be attached to a lower housing of the electronics module. The various components between the electronics module and the optical module may provide focused images when the electronics module and optical module are assembled. In addition, the components may be adjustable and testable for focusing the images of the sample, for example prior to installing the CFM module in a bucket for testing. While a two piece housing of the electronic module is generally disclosed, it will be appreciated that the housing may include more than two releaseably connectable pieces. Data from the CFM module may be wirelessly transmitted from the CFM module or stored in memory, which memory may be removable or downloadable.
In other aspects of the present disclosure, computing unit 2140 (
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It may be desirable to have computer control of the centrifuge for a more integrated user experience. Since most centrifuges do not have this feature, one option may be to use an upgraded mainboard from the manufacturer that enables computer control. Another option may be to install a small computer on the inside of the front panel to generate computerized “keypad” signals, overriding the front panel of the instrument and allowing computer control. The computer control of the centrifuge may be interfaced with both the external computer, e.g., computing unit 2140 (
In light of the present description, it will be appreciated that the techniques and aspects of the present disclosure may provide a system that enable user-friendly, high-throughput single molecule experiments using only common bench top centrifuges that exist in laboratories worldwide. Such systems may expand the functionality of centrifugation to provide real-time microscopy of samples as centrifugal forces are applied. The system may allow single-molecule experiments by researchers in single-molecule analysis, as well as by a broad range of non-specialist researchers in other fields.
It will be further appreciated that the techniques and aspects of the present disclosure allow for measuring properties of biomolecules for basic research or drug discovery, with the ability to monitor an individual molecule. Such single molecule experiments may generate information for measuring or screening biomolecular interactions and probing structure of individual molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids. Some of the information from single-molecule experiments cannot be determined from typical ensemble “test tube” measurements, which report only the “average” of the population. The techniques and aspects of the present disclosure may reduce the cost compared to single molecule instruments, allow for a higher throughput by running more than one sample at a time with concurrent data collection, and allow operators to readily and easily maintain the system, conduct the experiments, and analyze the data.
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Computing unit 2140 may be any type of computing unit having a processor 2142, a memory 2144 and input/output devices 2146. For example, the computing unit may be a personal computer operating a WINDOWS operating system or Apple OSX operating system, a Unix system, or a tablet computer or smart phone, and configured to communicate such as wirelessly with separation sampling module 3200.
For example, the light source may be a light emitting diode or a laser, and the detector may be a photodetector or a digital imager. The power source may be a battery such as 3.3 volt lithium polymer battery. It will be appreciated that instead of a battery, other alternative power sources may be employed. For example, power may be supplied from an ultracapacitor or a fuel cell.
Housing 3300 may include a passageway 3301 opening along the top for receiving the container. The passageway may be sized to receive an elongated container such as a standard 15 mL container or a standard 50 mL container.
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Separation sampling module 3200 may include a computing unit or processor 3320 disposed in the housing for monitoring the detected light. The computing unit or a separate memory may be disposed in the housing for storing data regarding the detected light such as when the sample is rotated in the housing and the centrifuge.
Separation sampling module 3200 may further include a transmitter and/or a transceiver 3330 disposed in the housing for transmitting data regarding the detected light such as when the sample is rotated in the housing and the centrifuge. In some embodiments, processor 3320 and transmitter 3330 may be operable to send data for at least one of slowing or stopping rotation of the centrifuge and notifying an operator to slow or stop rotation of the centrifuge, and/or notify the operator at certain degrees of separation of the sample.
Housing 3300 may include an electrical contact 3334 for grounding the separation sampling module to a bucket and/or to a centrifuge. Electrical contact 3334 may also electrically connect wireless transmitter 3330 to a bucket and/or a centrifuge so that the bucket and/or the centrifuge act as an antenna for wirelessly communicating with a remote computing unit.
In some embodiments, the plurality of light sources and the plurality of light detectors may be linearly disposed generally parallel to the direction of the centrifugal force. Different ones of some of the plurality of light sources may emit light having different wavelengths. Different ones of some of the plurality of light detectors may be operable to detect light having different wavelengths.
From the present description, it will be appreciated that aspects and features of the above described CFM module and electronic module may be incorporated into the various embodiments of the separation sampling module. For example, aspects of the upper and lower housing portion of the electronic module for the CFM module may be incorporated into various embodiments of the separation sampling module.
A1. A method for electrically grounding an electronic device disposed in a housing and a generally surrounding metal structure, the method comprising: positioning the electronic device disposed in the housing in the generally surrounding metal structure; and electrically connecting the electronic device with an inside portion of the generally surrounding metal structure. A2. The method of claim A1 wherein the generally surrounding metal structure is disposed in a generally surrounding electrically grounded second electronic device. A3. The method of claim Al wherein the electrically connecting comprises automatically electrically connecting the electronic device with the inside portion of the generally surrounding metal structure when positioning the electronic device disposed in the housing in the generally surrounding metal structure. A4. The method of claim A1 wherein the housing comprises an electrical contact disposed on an outer surface of the housing electrically connectable to the electronic device, and wherein the electrically connecting comprises automatically electrically connecting the electronic device with the inside portion of the generally surrounding metal structure when positioning the electronic device disposed in the housing in the generally surrounding metal structure to electronically engage the electrical contact with the inside portion of the generally surrounding metal structure. A5. The method of claim A1 wherein portions of an outer surface of the housing and an inner portion of the generally surrounding metal structure are configured to generally fixedly retain the electronic device in a fixed position relative to the generally surrounding metal structure. A6. The method of claim A1 wherein the electronic device disposed in the housing further comprises at least one of a power source and a connector operably connectable to a power source disposed on the housing for powering the electronic device. A7. The method of claim A1 wherein the housing comprises a first housing portion and a releaseably attachable second housing portion. A8. The method of claim A7 wherein the first housing portion comprises a power source electrically connectable to the electronic device for powering the electronic device. A9. The method of claim A1 further comprising rotating the generally surrounding metal structure with the electronic device in the housing disposed therein. A10. The method of claim A1 wherein the electronic device disposed in the housing comprises a centrifuge force microscope module. A11. The method of claim A1 wherein the surrounding metal structure comprises a bucket of a centrifuge.
B1. A method for wirelessly transmitting data from an electronic device disposed in a housing and a generally surrounding metal structure, the method comprising: positioning the electronic device comprising a transmitter disposed in a housing in the generally surrounding metal structure; and electrically connecting the electronic device with an inside portion of the generally surrounding metal structure so that the surrounding metal structure acts as an antenna. B2. The method of claim B1 wherein the generally surrounding metal structure is disposed in a generally surrounding electrically grounded second electronic device. B3. The method of claim B1 wherein the electrically connecting comprises automatically electrically connecting the electronic device with the inside portion of the generally surrounding metal structure when positioning the electronic device disposed in the housing in the generally surrounding metal structure. B4. The method of claim B1 wherein the housing comprises an electrical contact disposed on an outer surface of the housing electrically connectable to the electronic device, and wherein the electrically connecting comprises automatically electrically connecting the electronic device with the inside portion of the generally surrounding metal structure when positioning the electronic device disposed in the housing in the generally surrounding metal structure to electronically engage the electrical contact with the inside portion of the generally surrounding metal structure. B5. The method of claim B1 wherein portions of an outer surface of the housing and an inner portion of the generally surrounding metal structure are configured to generally fixedly retain the electronic device in a fixed position relative to the generally surrounding metal structure. B6. The method of claim B1 wherein the electronic device disposed in the housing further comprises at least one of a power source and a connector operably connectable to a power source disposed on the housing for powering the electronic device. B7. The method of claim B1 wherein the housing comprises a first housing portion and a releaseably attachable second housing portion. B8. The method of claim B7 wherein the first housing portion comprises a power source electrically connectable to the electronic device for powering the electronic device. B9. The method of claim B1 further comprising rotating the generally surrounding metal structure with the electronic device in a housing disposed therein. B10. The method of claim B1 wherein the electronic device disposed in the housing comprises a centrifuge force microscope module. B11. The method of claim B1 wherein the surrounding metal structure comprises a bucket of a centrifuge.
C1. An electrical system comprising: a first housing portion; a first portion of an electrical device disposed in said first housing; a second housing portion releaseably attachable to said first housing portion; a second portion of said electrical device disposed in said second housing portion; and wherein said first portion of said electrical device being electrically releaseably connectable to said second portion of said electrical device when said first housing portion is releaseably connectable to said second housing portion. C2. The electrical system of claim C1 wherein said first portion of an electrical device comprises at least one of a power source and a connector operably connectable to a power source. C3. The electrical system of claim C1 wherein said electronic device is turned on when said first housing portion is releaseably connected to said second housing portion. C4. The electrical system of claim C1 wherein at least one of said first housing portion and second housing portion comprises an electrical contact for contacting a metal structure for grounding said electrical device. C5. The electrical system of claim C1 wherein said electronic device comprises a transmitter and/or a receiver, and at least one of said first housing portion and second housing portion comprises an electrical contact for contacting a metal structure so that the structure acts as an antenna. C6. The electrical system of claim C1 wherein first housing portion and said second housing portion are configured to generally retain said electronic device in a fixed position relative to the housing. C7. The electrical system of claim C1 wherein said housing and said electronic device comprises a centrifuge force microscope module. C8. The electrical system of claim C1 wherein said housing and said electronic device comprises a separation sampling module.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments and/or aspects thereof may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments without departing from their scope.
While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments, they are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the various embodiments should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
It is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages described above may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the systems and techniques described herein may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
While the disclosure has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments of the disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
This written description uses examples in the present disclosure, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/073,783, filed Oct. 31, 2014, entitled “Electrical Systems, And Separation Sampling Modules For Use Within A Bucket Of A Centrifuge”, which application is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62073783 | Oct 2014 | US |