Automated Immuno-Stain Developer for Western Blotting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Western blotting processes are labor-intensive and wasteful due to the need for manual manipulation of reagents like antibodies, which are susceptible to degradation and expensive, requiring large volumes and multiple handling steps.
Innovation Solution
An automated developer system with a processor-controlled platform, syringe holders, temperature control, and a rocking mechanism that minimizes manual handling by automatically delivering and agitating reagents, reducing waste and optimizing reagent usage through controlled addition and removal of antibodies and buffers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual manipulation of reagents is used, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but labor intensity increases and reagent waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the automated developer performs all manual operations including reagent addition, incubation, washing, and detection steps without human intervention, thereby reducing labor intensity while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control
2Quantity of substance
If large volumes of reagents are used, then sufficient reagent supply is ensured, but reagent waste increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and eliminates unnecessary manual handling steps that cause reagent loss, using automated precision dispensing to deliver exact required volumes of reagents without spillage or contamination, thereby reducing reagent waste while maintaining sufficient supply
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and reuses reagents by implementing automated washing and incubation cycles that minimize reagent consumption, allowing the same reagent volumes to be used multiple times across different samples, thereby reducing both waste and cost
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple manual handling steps are performed, then reagent precision can be maintained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous automated processing where reagent addition, incubation, washing, and detection steps are performed sequentially without interruption or manual intervention, maintaining precision through controlled automated dispensing while significantly reducing total processing time compared to manual step-by-step operations
4Stability of the object's composition
If reagents are kept in cold solution, then reagent stability is maintained, but reagent accessibility and ease of use decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of reagents to stable temperatures before use, maintaining reagent stability through pre-chilling storage compartments, while the automated system handles the complexity of temperature control so that reagent accessibility remains ease of use without requiring manual temperature management
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 automated system significantly reduces labor and reagent waste, ensures precise temperature control for reagents, and allows for simultaneous processing of multiple samples with different incubation times, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of Western blotting.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature control device configured to control the temperature of the reagent within the syringe
Implementation Method 2
a stirrer configured to agitate the reagent within the syringe
Implementation Method 3
a motorized syringe pusher configured to mechanically force the reagent from within the syringe barrel, through the entry port into the incubation box
Implementation Method 4
a rocking mechanism that minimizes manual handling by automatically delivering and agitating reagents
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for the developing of immuno-stained biological samples. The systems disclosed herein are automated and are configured to control one or more steps of the developing procedure. Reagents may be added using automatic syringe dispensing. Reagent temperature, reagent stirring, and wash procedures are programmable and can be separately controlled for separate immuno-staining procedures that are performed at the same time.