Microscope Stage Automation for Multi-Sample Fluid Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manually pipetting samples in high-throughput experiments is time-consuming and prone to contamination, requiring multiple reagents to be added quickly while reactions may take minutes to days, necessitating automation to improve efficiency and reduce human error.
Innovation Solution
A microscope stage with a receiving surface and liquid handling head that allows automated dispensing and aspiration of fluids onto sample carriers, featuring a surface and head moving device for alignment with any sample area, and a replaceable fluidic link for rapid line changes, enabling flexible and efficient fluid handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual pipetting is used for high-throughput experiments, then flexibility in handling samples is maintained, but time consumption increases and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid handling system is segmented into modular components: a liquid handling head with multiple nozzles, a sample carrier with multiple sample areas, and a stage with independent movement capabilities. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently while maintaining overall system flexibility and reducing complexity through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid handling head is designed with multiple nozzles that can dispense different reagents to multiple sample areas simultaneously. The stage can move in multiple directions to position any sample area under the imaging area. This multi-functionality allows a single device to handle various experiment configurations without requiring multiple specialized tools.
2Productivity
If multiple reagents are added quickly to samples, then experiment throughput is improved, but risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automated fluid handling without human intervention. The liquid handling head automatically dispenses reagents, the stage automatically positions samples, and the entire process can be controlled via software. This self-service capability eliminates human contact with samples during critical operations, preventing contamination while maintaining high throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated liquid handling head acts as an intermediary between the reagent reservoirs and the samples. Instead of direct human contact, the system uses programmable robotic dispensing to transfer reagents, creating a barrier that prevents contamination while enabling rapid multi-reagent addition.
3Productivity
If human interaction is required for pipetting, then ease of operation is maintained, but experiment efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical pipetting operations with an automated robotic system. The liquid handling head with programmable movement replaces the manual pipette, and the motorized stage replaces manual sample positioning. This substitution increases productivity by eliminating repetitive manual tasks while maintaining ease of operation through software control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic movement capabilities with the stage able to reposition between imaging and liquid handling areas, and the liquid handling head able to move between different sample areas. This dynamic design allows the system to adapt to different experiment protocols while being controlled through standardized interfaces, maintaining ease of operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the receiving surface position is fixed relative to the liquid handling head, then device complexity is reduced, but flexibility in dispensing fluids to different sample areas is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the movement functions of the stage and liquid handling head into a coordinated system. Both components can move independently but are controlled through a unified software interface that synchronizes their positions. This merging allows flexible dispensing to any sample area while managing complexity through integrated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds dimensional flexibility by allowing movement in multiple directions: the stage moves samples in X-Y directions to different positions, and the liquid handling head moves in Z-direction for dispensing. This multi-dimensional movement capability provides versatility in fluid dispensing while the independent control of each axis manages the complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
In a first aspect, a microscope stage (100, 500, 600) is provided comprising a receiving surface (102) configured to receive at least a first sample carrier (104, 200) with a plurality of sample areas (202, 204), an imaging area (206), and a surface moving device (118) configured to move the receiving surface (102) along at least two directions, wherein the surface moving device (118) has a range of movement along the at least two directions such that any one of the sample areas of the plurality of sample areas (202, 204) is alignable with the imaging area (206). The microscope stage further comprises at least one liquid handling head (106, 502, 602) configured to dispense fluids onto the sample carrier (104, 200), and a head moving device (108, 110, 112) configured to move the at least one liquid handling head (106, 502, 602) along at least two directions, wherein the head moving device (108, 110, 112) has a range of movement along the at least two directions such that the at least one liquid handling head (106, 502, 602) is alignable with any one of the sample areas (202, 204) of the plurality of sample areas (202, 204). In further aspects a corresponding microscope and method are provided.