Bulk Fluid Wash Module for Probe Priming and Bubble Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated treatment apparatuses for biological samples face inefficiencies due to the need to purge bulk fluids from dispensing end effectors and fluid lines, leading to delays, wastage, and interference from air bubbles, which affect the apparatus's effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A bulk fluid wash module with a cavity and scavenger port is introduced to receive and remove bulk fluids from probes, utilizing a scavenger probe to apply vacuum force and gravity-assisted flow channels to clear fluids and bubbles, ensuring efficient priming and reducing downtime.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If bulk fluids are dispensed from fluid dispensing end effectors, then samples on slides are treated with bulk fluids, but air bubbles become trapped in the end effectors and fluid lines causing interference and requiring purging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment speedVSAvoideffectiveness of apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the bulk fluid dispensing function from the main treatment pathway by introducing a separate wash module with dedicated scavenger ports. This allows bulk fluids to be removed from probes through a separate extraction pathway, preventing air bubble formation in the main fluid lines while maintaining continuous treatment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The wash module acts as an intermediary system between the bulk fluid containers and the sample treatment area. It provides a dedicated pathway for fluid dispensing and scavenging, mediating the interaction between bulk fluids and probes to prevent air bubble interference in the main treatment system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If bulk fluids are purged from fluid dispensing end effectors and fluid lines, then air bubbles are removed, but this causes delays and wastage of bulk fluids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of apparatusVSAvoiddowntime for purging

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wash module performs preliminary scavenging of bulk fluids from probes between treatment cycles. By continuously or periodically removing bulk fluids through scavenger ports before air bubbles can form, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming purging operations while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The scavenger ports enable continuous or periodic removal of bulk fluids from probes during or between treatment cycles. This continuous action prevents air bubble formation without interrupting the main treatment workflow, eliminating downtime associated with traditional purging methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If bulk fluids are not dispensed immediately, then apparatus can be turned on or off, but dripping or leaking of bulk fluids occurs from fluid dispensing end effectors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapparatus operation flexibilityVSAvoiddripping or leaking

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wash module with scavenger ports enables the system to self-manage bulk fluid removal from probes. When the apparatus is turned off or paused, the scavenger ports automatically or on-demand remove bulk fluids from probes, preventing dripping or leaking without requiring immediate dispensing or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution effectively removes bulk fluids and air bubbles, allowing simultaneous repriming of probes, minimizing delays and improving apparatus efficiency by preventing dripping and bubble formation.

Implementation Method 1

a scavenger probe configured to apply vacuum force to remove the bulk fluids from the cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

gravity-assisted flow channels to clear fluids and bubbles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS12578253B2Bulk fluid wash module

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 LEICA BIOSYST MELBOURNE

AI summary

A bulk fluid wash module for an automated treatment apparatus for treating tissue samples disposed on slides, the bulk fluid wash module comprising: a body; a cavity disposed in the body, the cavity configured to receive a plurality of bulk fluids dispensed from a plurality of probes of a bulk fluid robot of the automated treatment apparatus, whereby the plurality of probes are configured to dispense the bulk fluids to the slides and to the cavity; and a scavenger port disposed in the body, the scavenger port in fluid communication with the cavity and configured to remove the bulk fluids from the cavity.