Device and method for separation of microparticles in particular biohazardous and hazardous materials

• US 7,884,301 B2
• Filed: 06/02/2006
• Issued: 02/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Universitat Duisburg-Essen
• Original Assignee: Universitat Duisburg-Essen
• Inventors: Lennartz, Klaus, Kirstein, Uwe
• Primary Examiner(s): Rodriguez; Joseph C
• Application Number:
  US11/921,360
• Publication Number:
  US 20090127167A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,712 Days
• Field of Search: 209/3.1, 209/576, 422/99, 422/101, 422/104, 435/4, 436/63
• US Class Current: 209/576
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/1459 the analysis being performed on a sample stream
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/149 specially adapted for sorting particles, e.g. by their size or optical properties
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2223 aerosol sampling devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2015/0019 Means for transferring or separating particles prior to analysis, e.g. hoppers or particle conveyors
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00277 Special precautions to avoid contamination (e.g. enclosures, glove- boxes, sealed sample carriers, disposal of contaminated material)

Abstract

A device and method for sorting microparticles including a nozzle for a separating stream, with a vibration generator for the dispersion of the separation flow into a droplet flow with a deflector device for separation of the droplet flow into a through flow and at least one side flow depending on signals from an analytical device configured to analyze the microparticles (s) contained in the droplets and to control the deflector device. Also provided is a protective chamber in which at least the nozzle, the oscillation generator and the deflector device are arranged. The analytical device is outside the safety cabinet wherein the protective chamber is part of the safety cabinet with a clean chamber and a monitoring device through which the signals of the microparticles arising from the separating stream are supplied to the detectors of the analytical device, arranged outside the safety cabinet.

Claims

1. A device for sorting microparticles having a nozzle for supplying a sorting stream consisting of at least one sheath fluid and microparticles entrained therein,

a sorting head including a vibration generator for dividing the sorting stream into a droplet stream and a deflection device for sorting the droplet stream into a throughflow and at least one side stream in dependence upon signals of an evaluation device,

the evaluation device for analyzing the microparticle (s) contained in the droplet and for controlling the deflection device,

a microbiological safety cabinet (msc) having a clean room for both product and personnel protection, the clean room having a top and a bottom and at least the nozzle, the vibration generator, and the deflection device are arranged in the clean room, in which parts of the evaluation device are arranged outside of the clean room, the clean room having an access opening for a user to access the clean room,

a monitoring device is provided in a side wall of the msc through which the signals of the microparticles generated in the sorting stream are guided to the detectors of the evaluation device located outside of the msc,

the clean room including a laminar air flow passing therethrough from at least near the top of the clean room to the bottom of the clean room, the clean room floor including suction openings for the laminar flow and the suction openings being in fluid communication with a suction channel,

the clean room of the msc is divided into a first safety zone, in which the sorting head is accommodated, and a second safety zone,

the device further comprising a tray, which is located underneath the sorting head.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the tray is fluidly connected to a suction mechanism.

3. A device for sorting microparticles having a nozzle for supplying a sorting stream consisting of at least one sheath fluid and microparticles entrained therein,

a sorting head including a vibration generator for dividing the sorting stream into a droplet stream and a deflection device for sorting the droplet stream into a throughflow and at least one side stream in dependence upon signals of an evaluation device,

the evaluation device for analyzing the microparticle (s) contained in the droplet and for controlling the deflection device,

a microbiological safety cabinet (msc) having a clean room for both product and personnel protection, the clean room having a top and a bottom and at least the nozzle, the vibration generator, and the deflection device are arranged in the clean room, in which parts of the evaluation device are arranged outside of the clean room, the clean room having an access opening for a user to access the clean room,

a monitoring device is provided in a side wall of the msc through which the signals of the microparticles generated in the sorting stream are guided to the detectors of the evaluation device located outside of the msc,

the clean room including a laminar air flow passing therethrough from at least near the top of the clean room to the bottom of the clean room, the clean room floor including suction openings for the laminar flow and the suction openings being in fluid communication with a suction channel,

the clean room of the msc is divided into a first safety zone, in which the sorting head is accommodated, and a second safety zone,

the device further comprising a collecting funnel arranged underneath of the sorting head.

4. A device for sorting microparticles having a nozzle for supplying a sorting stream consisting of at least one sheath fluid and microparticles entrained therein,

a sorting head including a vibration generator for dividing the sorting stream into a droplet stream and a deflection device for sorting the droplet stream into a throughflow and at least one side stream in dependence upon signals of an evaluation device,

the evaluation device for analyzing the microparticle (s) contained in the droplet and for controlling the deflection device,

a microbiological safety cabinet (msc) having a clean room for both product and personnel protection, the clean room having a top and a bottom and at least the nozzle, the vibration generator, and the deflection device are arranged in the clean room, in which parts of the evaluation device are arranged outside of the clean room, the clean room having an access opening for a user to access the clean room,

a monitoring device is provided in a side wall of the msc through which the signals of the microparticles generated in the sorting stream are guided to the detectors of the evaluation device located outside of the msc,

the clean room including a laminar air flow passing therethrough from at least near the top of the clean room to the bottom of the clean room, the clean room floor including suction openings for the laminar flow and the suction openings being in fluid communication with a suction channel,

the clean room of the msc is divided into a first safety zone, in which the sorting head is accommodated, and a second safety zone,

wherein a tray arranged underneath of the sorting head is isolated/separated from the second safety zone by a series of the suction openings.