DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR BUNCHING OF SAMPLE PARTICLES

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a system comprising the device for bunching of sample particles. The device comprises a body, a fluid channel extending through the body, an acoustic wave guide embedded in the body, and an acoustic wave condenser embedded in the body. The fluid channel forms a fluid path the body, such that the fluid channel is configured to guide a flow of a sample fluid, in which sample particles are distributed, through the fluid channel along the fluid path. The wave guide is configured to guide an acoustic reference wave to an application region of the fluid channel. The wave condenser is configured to generate a standing acoustic wave in the application region from the reference wave for bunching the particles.

Claims

1. A device for bunching sample particles, the device comprising: a body, a fluid channel extending through the body, an acoustic wave guide embedded in the body, and an acoustic wave condenser embedded in the body, wherein the fluid channel forms a fluid path through the body, such that the fluid channel is configured to guide a flow of a sample fluid, in which sample particles are distributed, through the fluid channel along the fluid path, wherein the wave guide is configured to guide an acoustic reference wave, when transmitted via the body to the wave guide, to an application region of the fluid channel, wherein the wave condenser at least partly forms the application region of the fluid channel, and wherein the wave condenser is configured to generate a standing acoustic wave in the application region from the reference wave when the wave guide guides the reference wave into the application region resulting in an acoustic force field in the application region, which pushes sample particles when entering the application region into at least one bunch of sample particles in the application region.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the fluid channel is formed by the body.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the wave guide is formed by the body.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein wave guide is formed by at least one cavity in the body.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein each cavity is a gas filled cavity or a vacuum cavity.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the wave guide is formed by at least two cavities and a guiding section, which is formed by body material of the body, wherein the guiding section is arranged in between the cavities and configured to transmit the acoustic reference wave into the application region.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the guiding section comprises a conical shape tapering in direction of the application region of the fluid channel.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the wave condenser is formed by at least one concave-shaped wall section of a channel wall for the fluid channel, wherein the at least one wall section at least partly forms the application region of the fluid channel.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein at least one edge is formed in a transition area from a linear wall section of the channel wall to the at least one concave-shaped wall section of the channel wall.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the wave condenser is formed by two opposite arranged wall sections of the channel wall or a single ring-shaped wall section of the channel wall.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein the application region of the fluid channel is at least partly formed by the wave condenser such that a reference width of the application region perpendicular to a transport direction of the fluid channel matches a half wavelength of the reference wave with a tolerance of less than 10% of the half wavelength of the reference wave.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the body is a monolithic body.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the body material of the body is based on glass, silicon, metal, diamond, sapphire, ceramic or plastic.

14. A system, comprising: a first wave generator configured to generate a first acoustic reference wave, a first device formed by a device according to claim 1, and a fluid pump for generating a flow of sample fluid, wherein the fluid pump is directly or indirectly coupled to the fluid channel of the first device for pumping the sample fluid through the fluid channel of the first device, and wherein the first wave generator is directly or indirectly coupled to the first device such that the first acoustic reference wave, generated by the first wave generator, is transmitted to the wave guide of the first device.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the system comprises a second device, wherein the fluid channel of the first device and a fluid channel of the second device are connected in series, such that the fluid channel of the second device is downstream to the fluid channel of the first device.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the system comprises a control unit, and wherein the control unit is configured to control the first wave generator, such that the first wave generator generates the first reference wave in a first pattern with alternating on-periods and off-periods resulting in a new first bunch of sample particles in the application region of the fluid channel of the first device during each on-period of the first pattern.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the system further comprises a radiation generator and a radiation detector, wherein the radiation generator is arranged such that the application region of the fluid channel of the first or second device is exposed to radiation generated by the radiation generator resulting in modified radiation, and wherein the radiation detector is arranged to detect the modified radiation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Further features, advantages and application possibilities of the present invention may be derived from the following description of exemplary embodiments and/or the figures. Thereby, all described and/or visually depicted features for themselves and/or in any combination may form an advantageous subject matter and/or features of the present invention independent of the combination in the individual claims or the dependencies. Furthermore, in the figures, same reference signs may indicate same or similar objects.

[0053] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of the device and a first embodiment of the system.

[0054] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of the device.

[0055] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a third embodiment of the device.

[0056] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a part of the second embodiment of the device in a perspective view.

[0057] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a second embodiment of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of the device 10. The device 10 is preferably a part of the system 46 also schematically shown in FIG. 1. The following explanations in connection with the device 10 may therefore refer to the system 46 with the device 10 or to the device 10 alone.

[0059] The device 10 is used to bunch particles 12 within an application region 26, such that the bunched particles 12 form a bunch 28 of particles 12. The bunch 28 may also be referred to as the first bunch 28. Bunching the particles 12 in a bunch 28 provides the advantage that this bunch 28 can be exposed to radiation, in particular X-rays, to examine the structural constitution of the particles 12 of the bunch 28. Due to the increased concentration of particles 12 within the bunch 28, there is a high probability that a large portion of the radiation will be modified upon impingement on the particles 12 of the bunch 28, such that the resulting modified radiation represents the information regarding the structural composition of the particles 12 of the bunch 28.

[0060] To achieve the bunching of particles 12, the device 10 includes a body 14, a fluid channel 16, an acoustic wave guide 18, and an acoustic wave condenser 20.

[0061] The body 14 of the device 10 may also be referred to as the base body 14. The body 14 may be formed in one part or in multiple parts. Preferably, the body 14 is made of glass, silicon, metal, diamond, sapphire, ceramic or plastic. Accordingly, the same applies to the body material 34 of the body 14. Where the body 14 is formed of multiple parts, the parts may be formed of different materials, preferably each based on a material from the aforementioned selection of materials.

[0062] The fluid channel 16 of the device 10 extends through the body 14, and it can therefore also be referred to that the fluid channel 16 is embedded in the body 14 of the device 10. It has been found to be particularly advantageous if the fluid channel 16 is integrally formed by the body 14. As schematically shown in FIG. 1, it may preferably be provided that a channel wall of the fluid channel 16 is integrally formed by the body 14 and/or the body material 34 of the body 14.

[0063] The fluid channel 16 defines a fluid path 22 along which a fluid 24 is routed through the fluid channel 16 in the transport direction 44. The system 46 shown in FIG. 1 further includes a fluid pump 52 indirectly coupled to the fluid channel 16 of the device 10. The fluid pump 52 is configured to pump the fluid 24, in which the particles 12 are distributed, into the fluid channel 16 of the device 10 at an input end thereof. The fluid 24, which enters the fluid channel 16 by means of the pump 52, has an initial concentration of particles 12. In principle, the particles 12 distributed in the fluid 24 could already be exposed to radiation, in particular X-rays, in a section upstream of the device 10 in order to examine the structural composition of the particles 12. However, this gives rise to the disadvantages mentioned in the introduction, such as low efficiency. Obtaining knowledge about the structural composition of the particles 12 can be made much more efficient by means of radiation if the particles 12 are arranged in a higher concentration, as in the bunch 28 of particles 12.

[0064] Therefore, the device 10 is based on the idea of significantly increasing the concentration of particles 12 in the fluid 24 in an application region 26 within the device 10 to create bunches 28 of particles 12 in the fluid 24, such that more efficient investigation of the structural composition of the particles 12 is enabled. To achieve the increased concentration of particles 12 in a bunch 28, the device 10 includes the acoustic wave guide 18 and the acoustic wave condenser 20.

[0065] The acoustic wave guide 18 may also be referred to as the wave guide 18. The acoustic wave guide 18 is configured to direct an acoustic reference wave within the body 14, which acoustic reference wave is preferably generated by the first wave generator 48 of the system 46. For this purpose, the wave generator 48 may be directly or indirectly connected to the body 14 such that the reference acoustic wave generated by the wave generator 48 is transported by the body material 34 of the body 14. The wave guide 18 directs the reference acoustic wave within the body 14 to the application region 26 of the fluid channel 16, such that the reference acoustic wave enters the application region 26 of the fluid channel 16.

[0066] It had been found to be particularly advantageous if the wave guide 18 is integrated into the body 14 and/or formed by the body 14. As can be seen schematically from FIG. 1, it is preferably provided that the wave guide 18 comprises, for example, two cavities 30 within the body 14. Preferably, the two cavities 30 of the wave guide 18 are spaced apart from each other such that a guiding section 32 is formed between the two cavities 30. The guiding section 32 may also be referred to as the guide section 32. This guiding section 32 may be formed by the body material 34 of the body 14. The two cavities 30 may each be formed as vacuum cavities 30. However, it is also possible that each cavity 30 is filled with a gas, in particular air. At the transition from the body material 34 of the body 14 to each of the two cavities 30, a step in the acoustic impedance occurs. If the acoustic reference wave is preferably transmitted to the body 14 by means of the first wave generator 48 of the system 46, the acoustic reference wave is further transmitted by the body material 34 of the body 14 and/or at least partially reflected at the aforementioned cavities 30 due to the step in the acoustic impedance. As a result, the acoustic reference wave is at least partially held in the guiding section 32 between the cavities 30 and thereby directed into the application region 26 of the fluid channel 16. Preferably, the guiding section 32 of the wave guide 18 is aligned with the application region 26 along a direction perpendicular to the transport direction 44.

[0067] Preferably, the wave condenser 20 of the device 10 is formed by the body 14 and/or is formed as an integral part of the body 14. As can be seen schematically from FIG. 1, the wave condenser 20 is formed, for example, by two oppositely disposed concave channel wall sections 36 of a channel wall of the fluid channel 16. The channel wall of the fluid channel is preferably integrally formed by the body 14. Thus, each of the two concave channel wall sections 36 may also be integrally formed through the body 14. A maximum distance and/or channel diameter between the two oppositely disposed concave channel wall sections 36 is also referred to as a reference width 42. The two oppositely disposed concave channel wall sections 36 expand the channel diameter in the application region 26. Preferably, the reference width 42 is larger than the diameter of the fluid channel 16 in a linear wall section 40 upstream and/or downstream of the application region 26 of the fluid channel 16. Preferably, the wave condenser 20 and/or the associated concave channel wall sections 36 are formed such that the reference width 42 corresponds to a half wavelength of the acoustic reference wave. Preferably, the reference width 42 can deviate from half the wavelength of the acoustic reference wave by a maximum of 10% or a maximum of 5%. By having the reference width 42 at least substantially equal to half the wavelength of the reference acoustic wave, a standing acoustic wave in the application region 26 is generated from the reference acoustic wave by means of the wave condenser 20. This standing acoustic wave in the application region 26 causes an acoustic force field in the application region 26 that acts on particles 12 as they enter the application region 26, pushing and/or concentrating these particles 12 into a bunch 28 of particles 12 within the application region 26. In other words, the wave condenser 20 is adapted to cause a standing acoustic wave based on the reference acoustic wave as it enters the application region 26, which in turn causes a force field to push the particles 12 together into a bunch 28 within the application region 26. The force field also causes the particles 12 entering the application region 26 to be held in the application region 26 against the flow of the fluid 24.

[0068] The shape of the acoustic wave condenser 20 is preferably configured such that the standing acoustic wave generated in the application region 26 remains localized and/or retained in the application region 26. This ensures a particularly effective bunching of the particles 12 in the application region 26.

[0069] The bunching of the particles 12 in the application region 26 can be intensified and/or improved by an additional effect. To achieve this effect, an edge 38 is preferably formed in at least one transition region from a linear wall section 40 of the channel wall to the at least one concave shaped wall section 36 of the channel wall. As can be seen schematically from FIG. 1, such an edge 38 is formed, for example, in the transition region from the linear wall section 40 of the channel wall located upstream of the application region 26 to each concave shaped wall section 36. When fluid 24 flows in the transport direction 44 through the fluid channel 16 from a region that is upstream of the application region 26 into the application region 26, the fluid is directed past each edge 38, resulting in a spiral and/or circular motion of the fluid 24 in the application region 26 in the transport direction 44 immediately downstream of the edge 38. A similar effect may be created at the at least one edge 38, which may be formed in the transition region from the at least one concave-shaped wall section 36 to the downstream linear wall section 40 of the channel wall. Preferably, each of the aforementioned edges 38 may cause a spiral or circular motion of the fluid 24 within the application region 26, said motion forcing particles 12 into the center of the application region 26. Said movement thus helps to concentrate particles 12 into the bunch 28 within application region 26. This technical effect may exist superimposed on the bunching effect of particles 12 by the standing acoustic wave. Thus, both the spiral or circular motion of the fluid 24 within the application region 26 and the standing acoustic wave may result in the creation of a bunch 28 of particles 12 within the application region 26.

[0070] A further preferred embodiment of the device 10 is schematically shown in FIG. 2. As can be seen from FIG. 2, it may be provided that the reference width 42 in the application region 26 is smaller than the average diameter of the fluid channel 16 upstream and/or downstream of the application region 26. Preferably, the reference width 42 is configured such that an acoustic reference wave, for example generated by the first wave generator 48 and transmitted to the body 14 of the device 10, results in a standing acoustic wave within the application region 26. For example, the larger or smaller diameter of the fluid channel 16 upstream and/or downstream of the application region 26 may be adapted to prevent a standing acoustic wave from being generated in these regions of the fluid channel 16, even if a portion of the reference acoustic wave enters one of said regions of the fluid channel 16 (downstream and/or upstream of the application region 26).

[0071] In the preferred embodiment of the device 10, as exemplified schematically in FIG. 2, the body 14 of the device 10 is formed in multiple parts. The body 14 comprises a bottom part 66 and a top part 68 arranged on the bottom part 66. The fluid channel 16 is formed, at least partly, between the bottom part 66 and the top part 68. Thus, it is preferably provided that the application region 26 of the fluid channel 16 is formed exclusively in a region directly between the bottom part 66 and the top part 68. The remaining region of the fluid channel 16 may, for example, be exclusively integrated and/or embedded in the bottom part 66 of the body 14. The material of the top part 68 may be different from the material of the bottom part 66. In principle, however, it is also possible that the bottom part 66 and the top part 68 are formed of the same material. Preferably, the wave guide 18 is exclusively embedded and/or integrated in the bottom part 66 of the body 14. As a result, the structural design of the top part 68 may be particularly simple. For example, the top part 68 may be formed by a glass plate. For example, the bottom part 66 may be formed of glass, silicone, metal, diamond, sapphire, ceramic or plastic. Preferably, the bottom part 66 is formed in one piece. The top part 68 may also be formed in one piece. In this case, the body 14 consists of exactly two parts.

[0072] As can be seen schematically from FIG. 2, it is preferred if the wave guide 18 has two cavities 30 which are arranged at a distance from one another and are each rectangular in cross-section. Each of the two cavities 30 may be formed as a closed cavity 30. However, it is also possible that each of the two cavities 30 is formed to be open to the surroundings. Preferably, the distance between the two cavities 30 is configured such that no standing acoustic wave can be formed between the two cavities 30. Preferably, the distance between the two cavities 30 is greater than half the wavelength of the acoustic reference wave or greater than the entire wavelength of the acoustic reference wave.

[0073] In FIG. 4, the bottom part 66 of the device 10 of FIG. 2 is shown schematically.

[0074] FIG. 3 shows a further preferred embodiment of the device 10. This device 10 corresponds at least substantially to the device as shown in FIG. 2. The associated advantageous explanations, preferred features, effects and/or advantages as explained in connection with FIG. 2 are therefore referred to in an analogous manner for the device 10 of FIG. 3.

[0075] The device 10 of FIG. 3 differs from the device 10 of FIG. 2 in particular by the geometric shape of the cavities 30. As can be seen from FIG. 3, it is preferably provided that the cavities 30 are shaped in cross-section such that the guide section 32 between the cavities 30 is chronically convergent towards the application region 26. In other words, the cross-section of the cavities 30 may be shaped such that the guide section 32 reduces in size in the direction of the application region 26. Thus, an at least substantially conical shape for the guiding section 32 can be achieved. The conical shape of the guiding section 32 ensures that the intensity of the acoustic reference wave when it enters the application region 26 is particularly high.

[0076] As has been previously explained in connection with FIG. 1, the device 10 may form a part of the system 46, such as is also illustrated in FIG. 1. In addition, the system 46 preferably includes the pump 52 and the first wave generator 48. Preferably, the first wave generator 48 is directly connected to the body 14 of the device 10 such that a reference acoustic wave generated by the first wave generator 48 is transmitted directly to the body 14 such that the reference acoustic wave propagates within the body material 34 of the body 14. When the acoustic reference wave reaches the region of the wave guide 18, at least a portion of this acoustic reference wave is directed into the application region 26 by the wave guide 18. The pump 52 may be coupled to the fluid channel 16 of the device 10 by means of a connector 70, such that the pump 52 may pump the fluid 24 into the fluid channel 16 in the transport direction 44 via the connector 70. The connector 70 may be formed by a hose or a tube, for example. However, it is also possible for the pump 52 to be directly coupled to the fluid channel 16 of the device (not shown in FIG. 1).

[0077] It was found to be particularly advantageous if the system 46 further comprises a control unit 60 configured to control the first wave generator 48. For example, the control unit 60 may be configured to control the first wave generator 48 such that the first wave generator 48 generates the acoustic reference wave in a first pattern of alternating on-periods and off-periods. During each new on-period, a new bunch of particles 12 is generated in the application region 26 of the fluid channel 16 of the device 10. During each subsequent off-period, the generated bunch 28 of particles 12 is released, captured by the flow of fluid 24, and transported in the transport direction 44.

[0078] In addition, it has been found to be particularly advantageous if the system 46 further comprises a radiation generator 62 and a radiation detector 64. The radiation generator 62 is configured to generate radiation. The radiation may be, for example, X-rays or infrared radiation. The radiation may also be visible light or UV light. Accordingly, it is preferred if the radiation generator 62 is configured as an X-ray radiation generator 62 or an infrared radiation generator 62. In the foregoing embodiment of the system 46 as schematically shown in FIG. 1, the radiation generator 62 is arranged such that the flow of fluid 24 arrives downstream to an application area 72, and that the radiation generator 62 is arranged such that the application area 72 is exposed to radiation generated by the radiation generator 62. When a bunch 28 of particles 12 enters the application area 72, the radiation generated by the radiation generator 62 is modified when it impinges on the particles 12 of the bunch 28, thus resulting in modified radiation. Furthermore, the radiation detector 64 is preferably arranged such that the radiation detector 64 can detect the modified radiation. Thus, the radiation generator 62 and the radiation detector 64 may be arranged on opposite sides to the application area 72.

[0079] As can be seen schematically from FIG. 1, it is possible for the application area 72 to be arranged outside the fluid channel 16 of the device 10. However, it is also possible that the application area 72 is formed by a portion of the fluid channel 16. For example, the application area 72 may be formed in a section of the fluid channel 16 downstream of the application region 26. Further, it is possible that the application area 72 is disposed in and/or coincides with the application region 26. In this case, it is possible that the particles 12 of a bunch 28 generated in the application region 26 are exposed to the radiation generated by the radiation generator 62, resulting in the modified radiation that can be detected by the radiation detector 64. In this case, the radiation generator 62 and the radiation detector 64 may be arranged on opposite outer sides in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction 44 in alignment with the application region 26.

[0080] Another preliminary embodiment of the system 46 is shown schematically in FIG. 5. For the system 46 of FIG. 5, reference is made in an analogous manner to the previous advantageous explanations, preferred features, effects and or advantages as discussed in connection with the system 46 of FIG. 1. In the embodiment of the system 46 of FIG. 5, the device 10 of the system 46 of FIG. 1 forms the first device 50 of the system 46. The system 46 of FIG. 5 further comprises a second device 54. Both devices 50, 54 may be at least substantially the same. For each of the two devices 50, 54, reference is therefore made to the advantageous explanations, preferred features, effects and or advantages as previously explained for the device 10 in connection with FIGS. 1-4.

[0081] Preferably, the first device 50 and the second device 54 are connected in series such that the fluid channel 16 of the first device 50 is coupled downstream to the fluid channel 16 of the second device 54. In principle, however, it is also possible that the fluid channel 16 of the first device 50 is connected to the fluid channel 16 of the second device 54 by a (further) connector. This is shown purely by way of example in FIG. 5.

[0082] However, if the first device 50 is directly coupled to the second device 54, a particularly compact design of the system 46 can be achieved. A further advantageous embodiment (not shown) is characterized in that the first device 50 and the second device 54 are at least partially integrally formed with each other or are formed by two portions of a common device.

[0083] By arranging the second device 54 downstream of the first device 50, the flow of the fluid 24 is directed through two application regions 26 arranged one behind the other, namely first through the application region 26 of the first device 50 and then through the application region 26 of the second device 54. Therefore, it can also be referred to that the fluid channel 16 of the first device 50 and the fluid channel 16 of the second device 54 form a common fluid channel of the system 46. In the application region 26 of the first device 50, the particles 12 are concentrated into a bunch 28. When this bunch 28 of particles 12 is released in the out-period and caught by the flow of fluid 24, the fluid 24 carries the bunch 28 of particles 12 into the application region 26 of the second device 54. A standing wave is also created in this application region 26 of the second device 54 during the associated on-period, such that the resulting force field further concentrates the particles 12 of the bunch 28 when this bunch 28 has previously entered the application region 26 of the second device 54.

[0084] FIG. 5 further illustrates a preferred arrangement of the radiation generator 62 in which the application area 72 overlaps with the application region 26 of the second device 54, or the application area 72 is formed by the application region 26 of the second device 54. Therefore, the radiation generator 62 is arranged such that the application area 72 or the application region 26 of the second device 54 is exposed to radiation generated by the radiation generator 62. Thus, the bunch 28 of particles 12 further concentrated by the second device 54 is also exposed to the radiation generated by the radiation generator 72, resulting in modified radiation that is detected by the radiation detector 64.

[0085] The body 14 of the second device 54 may include a neck section 74, wherein a second wave generator 76 is disposed at the end of the neck section 74. The second wave generator 76 may form part of the system 46. The neck section 74 may direct the reference acoustic wave generated by the second wave generator 76 to the wave guide 18 of the second device 54, such that the wave guide 18 of the second device 54 directs the reference acoustic wave into the application region 26 of the fluid channel 16 of the second device 54. The wave condenser 20 of the second device 54 then generates a standing acoustic wave in the application region 26 of the second device 54 based on the reference acoustic wave. The neck section 74 further provides the advantage that the radiation generator 62 and the radiation detector 64 may be disposed on opposite sides of the application region 26 of the second device 54, without the radiation generated by the radiation generator 62 being disturbed by the second wave generator 76.

[0086] By further concentrating the particles 12 of the bunch 28 in the application region 26 of the second device 54, an even more efficient examination of the structural composition of the particles 12 can be performed using the modified radiation detected by the radiation detector 64.

[0087] It is additionally pointed out that “comprising” does not rule out other elements, and “a” or “an” does not rule out a multiplicity. It is also pointed out that features that have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments may also be disclosed as in combination with other features of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be regarded as restrictive.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0088] 10 Device

[0089] 12 sample particle

[0090] 14 body

[0091] 16 fluid channel

[0092] 18 wave guide

[0093] 20 wave condenser

[0094] 22 fluid path

[0095] 24 fluid

[0096] 26 application region

[0097] 28 first bunch

[0098] 30 cavity

[0099] 32 guiding section

[0100] 34 body material

[0101] 36 concave-shaped wail section

[0102] 38 edge

[0103] 40 linear wail section

[0104] 42 reference width

[0105] 44 transport direction

[0106] 46 system

[0107] 48 first wave generator

[0108] 50 first device

[0109] 52 fluid pump

[0110] 54 second device

[0111] 60 control unit

[0112] 62 radiation generator

[0113] 64 radiation detector

[0114] 66 bottom part

[0115] 68 top part

[0116] 70 connector

[0117] 72 application area

[0118] 74 neck section

[0119] 76 second wave generator