Carrier Plate Sample Prep for nL-Scale Transfer and Pooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sample preparation techniques for mass spectrometry are inefficient in handling small volumes, prone to evaporation, and require complex manual handling, leading to contamination risks and time-consuming processes, and are not adaptable for automation.
Innovation Solution
A sample preparing apparatus and method utilizing a carrier plate with reaction sites and a collection vessel, allowing for automated sample preparation and transfer, capable of handling reduced volumes down to nL range, minimizing evaporation, and facilitating multiplexing through a detachable connection and orientation change for efficient liquid transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional substrates like 384-well plates are used for sample preparation, then handling of relatively large volumes up to 100 μl is enabled, but the apparatus is not adapted for handling reduced sample volumes down to the nL range and requires complex lid handling for minimizing evaporation
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier plate is divided into multiple reaction sites (e.g., 16, 24, or 32 sites) where each site can independently accommodate small liquid samples. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple samples in small volumes without requiring complex evaporation control for each individual sample, as the plate structure itself provides containment
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier plate is designed as a disposable consumable that can be used for a single sample preparation run and then discarded. This eliminates the need for complex cleaning, sterilization, and evaporation control mechanisms that would be required for reusable plates, while enabling efficient handling of small sample volumes
2Ease of operation
If manual pipetting is used for transferring labelled fragments from wells to collection vessel, then sample transfer can be performed, but the process is time consuming and prone to contaminations and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier plate integrates multiple functions into a single device: sample accommodation, reagent addition, reaction processing, and direct transfer to collection vessel. By merging the reaction site and collection interface into one integrated structure, the patent eliminates the need for separate manual transfer steps, enabling automated continuous processing without intermediate handling
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier plate acts as an intermediary device that receives samples, performs all preparation steps, and directly interfaces with the collection vessel. This intermediary structure enables automated liquid handling systems to transfer samples without human intervention, eliminating contamination risks and time loss associated with manual pipetting
3Extent of automation
If conventional substrates are used for sample preparation, then sample processing can be performed, but automation of sample preparation is limited due to requirements for human interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier plate is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate various sample types (single cells, cell aggregates, tissue samples) and perform multiple preparation steps (lysis, digestion, labeling, pooling) in a single integrated device. This multi-functionality enables complete automation of the sample preparation workflow, as no human intervention is needed to switch between different devices or procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier plate incorporates dynamic features such as detachable arrays that can be connected and disconnected from collection vessels, and reaction sites that can be accessed from different orientations. This dynamic design allows automated systems to manipulate the plate through robotic arms or liquid handling robots without human assistance, while maintaining flexibility for different experimental configurations
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
Facilitates rapid, automated, and contamination-free sample preparation and pooling, enabling efficient handling of small volumes with reduced evaporation, and supports multiplex analysis for various sample types, including mass spectrometry and genomic analysis.
Implementation Method 1
introducing a liquid sample, in particular including at least one of at least one biological cell and parts thereof, to the reaction sites
Data Source
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AI summary
A sample preparing apparatus 100 for preparing a plurality of liquid samples 1 for a sample analysis, for instance for mass spectrometry, comprises a carrier plate device 10 with an array 11 of reaction sites 12, wherein the carrier plate device 10 is adapted for a first arrangement condition, wherein the reaction sites 12 are exposed and the carrier plate device 10 is configured for accommodating the samples 1 and supplying reagents to the liquid samples 1, and a collection device 20 comprising a collection vessel 21 with a vessel opening and a vessel bottom 23, wherein the collection vessel 21 is adapted for collecting the liquid samples 1 from at least two of the reaction sites 12 and providing the liquid samples 1 for the sample analysis, wherein the collection device 20 is adapted for a detachable connection with the carrier plate device 10, so that the vessel opening of the collection vessel 21 faces to the reaction sites 12, and the carrier plate device 10 is further adapted for a second arrangement condition, wherein the collection vessel 21 is connected with the carrier plate device 10 and the liquid samples 1 are capable to flow from the reaction sites 12 to the collection vessel 21 by the effect of a driving force. Furthermore, a sample preparing method for preparing a plurality of liquid samples 1 for a sample analysis is described, wherein the sample preparing apparatus 100 is used.