Clam-shell Luminometer for Immunoassay Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fully-automated immunoassay analyzers are prohibitively expensive for emerging markets, necessitating a reduction in automation and simpler mechanisms to make them more affordable.
Innovation Solution
A low-cost immunoassay analyzer design featuring a clam-shell luminometer with fiber optic bundles that surround the reaction cuvette to collect light emitted during assays, eliminating the need to transport cuvettes and reducing the risk of contamination, while using a light-generating reagent conduit for precise reagent dispensing and a photomultiplier tube for intensity and wavelength measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fully-automated immunoassay analyzers are used, then throughput and productivity are improved, but device complexity and cost increase prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The luminometer is divided into two separate portions: an upper portion containing the light-generating reagent conduit and a lower portion containing the fiber optic bundles and photomultiplier tube. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The reaction cuvette remains stationary on the carousel and performs its own containment function, eliminating the need for automated cuvette transport mechanisms. The clam-shell luminometer closes around the stationary cuvette, allowing the system to achieve automation benefits without requiring complex robotic handling.
2Measurement precision
If cuvettes are transported to the luminometer, then measurement capability is improved, but risk of cross-contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transporting the reaction cuvette to the luminometer, the luminometer is brought to the stationary reaction cuvette by closing the clam-shell portions around it. This inversion of the transport action eliminates contamination risks associated with cuvette handling while maintaining complete light collection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement function is extracted from a centralized luminometer and distributed to a decentralized clam-shell structure that closes around each reaction cuvette on the carousel. This allows measurement to occur in-situ, eliminating the need for cuvette transport and associated contamination risks.
3Measurement precision
If fiber optic bundles surround the reaction cuvette, then light collection efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fiber optic bundles are combined and routed together to converge at a single photomultiplier tube located in the lower portion of the luminometer. This merging approach allows comprehensive light collection from all angles around the reaction cuvette while consolidating the detection components into a compact configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber optic bundles are arranged to surround the reaction cuvette in three-dimensional space, collecting light from multiple directions simultaneously. This spatial arrangement maximizes light collection efficiency without requiring a proportional increase in the number of detection components.
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
This design reduces costs by integrating fewer and simpler mechanisms, enhances measurement accuracy through 360-degree light collection, and prevents cross-contamination by keeping the reaction cuvette on the carousel during testing, making the analyzer more affordable and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
The ribbons are radially arranged such that the light-receiving ends define a cylindrically passageway for accommodating a sample tube or cuvette.
Implementation Method 2
a light intensity-measuring device, e.g., a photomultiplier tube, which processes intensity and wavelength data
Implementation Method 3
plural fiber optic bundles that are optically coupled to the photomultiplier tube of the luminometer
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~3
AI summary
A clam-shell luminometer that, when closed, completely encloses an assay reaction mixture-containing reaction vessel and some portion of a reaction carousel or ring. The luminometer includes first and second portions that are coupled to each other, a photomultiplier tube, and plural fiber optic bundles that are optically coupled to the photomultiplier tube. First ends of the fiber optic bundles are disposed adjacent to the reaction vessel in the second portion so that the fiber optic bundles completely surround the perimeter or periphery of the reaction vessel.