Assay Cartridge With Segmented Storage And Transport Components
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assays face challenges in efficiently storing and transporting solutions to sensors due to difficulties in maintaining proper conditions, leading to inefficient equipment performance.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge system comprising an independent storage component and transport component, where the storage component includes reservoirs for solutions and the transport component features disruption mechanisms to pierce or stretch sealing materials, allowing solution flow, along with a valve system for controlled flow and venting, enabling efficient delivery of solutions to sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If solutions are stored in reservoirs and transported to sensors, then assay functionality is enabled, but maintaining proper storage and transport conditions becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into separate storage component and transport component that can be coupled together. The storage component contains reservoirs with sealing materials, while the transport component has disruption mechanisms. This segmentation allows independent optimization of storage conditions and transport functionality, resolving the contradiction between enabling assay functionality and maintaining reliable storage/transport conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Solutions are pre-loaded into reservoirs within the storage component before the assay is performed. The sealing materials are pre-positioned to maintain solution integrity during storage. When ready for use, the storage component is coupled with the transport component, which then disrupts the sealing materials to initiate solution flow. This preliminary action ensures solutions are prepared under optimal storage conditions and only released when needed.
2Productivity
If disruption mechanisms pierce or stretch sealing materials, then solution flow is enabled, but sealing integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Sealing materials are pre-positioned in the storage component to maintain solution integrity during storage and handling. The disruption mechanisms in the transport component are designed to selectively breach these seals only when the components are coupled together, enabling controlled solution flow at the appropriate time while maintaining sealing integrity during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing material acts as an intermediary between the stored solution and the transport system. It maintains a barrier that preserves solution integrity until coupling occurs, at which point the disruption mechanism (piercing or stretching) selectively breaches this intermediary to enable controlled solution release, thus balancing sealing integrity with solution flow requirements.
3Ease of operation
If valve controls flow from input channel to output channel, then solution delivery is controlled, but gas venting is required
Solution Approach 1:
The valve structure merges two functions into a single component: flow control from input to output channel, and gas venting to the vent channel. The flexible material positioned over the obstruction serves as a dynamic element that responds to pressure differences, automatically directing fluids through appropriate pathways without requiring separate control mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve uses a flexible material that dynamically responds to pressure conditions within the system. When solution pressure builds up, the flexible material deflects to allow gas to vent through the vent channel while maintaining control over solution flow to the output channel. This dynamic behavior provides automated flow control and venting without complex mechanical actuators.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The cartridge system allows for efficient storage and transport of solutions at varying temperatures, enhancing assay flexibility and performance by ensuring solutions are delivered under optimal conditions, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of assays.
Implementation Method 1
The transport component can include one or more disruption mechanisms configured to disrupt the sealing integrity of a material on the storage component upon coupling of the transport component and the storage component. The disruption mechanisms can disrupt the sealing integrity so as to provide an outlet through which a solution in a reservoir can flow out of the storage component.
Implementation Method 2
One or more of the disruption mechanisms includes a piercing mechanism configured to pierce the material.
Implementation Method 3
One or more of the disruption mechanisms can include a stretching mechanism configured to stretch the material such that one or more channels in the material open up.
Implementation Method 4
The transport component can include a vent channel, an input channel and an output channel meeting at a valve. The valve is configured to control flow of a solution from the input channel to the output channel while venting gasses into the vent channel.
Implementation Method 5
The component includes an obstruction positioned between the input channel and the output channel and a flexible material positioned over the obstruction. The flexible materials can be positioned such that the displacement between the obstruction and the flexible material changes during operation of the valve.
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge is disclosed. The cartridge includes an independent storage component and transport component. The storage component can be coupled with the transport component. The storage component includes one or more pockets that each contain a solution to be used in an assay. The transport component is configured to transport the solutions from the pockets of the storage component to a sensor positioned in the transport component.