Closed-System Centrifuge Tube for Low-Loss Sample Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current centrifuge tubes suffer from sample loss and contamination during sample preparation and transfer due to the need to open the tube for manual manipulation, leading to decreased sample concentration and poor analytical results, especially in low-volume assays.
Innovation Solution
A closed system centrifuge tube design with multiple ports and channels that allow for sample and reagent insertion/removal without exposing the sample to the environment, including a pellet accumulation zone, waste removal port, and pellet removal port, connected by thin-walled microchannels to maintain sample integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual manipulation of samples is performed by opening the centrifuge tube, then ease of operation is improved, but sample loss and contamination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifuge tube is segmented into distinct functional zones: a sample chamber, a waste chamber, and a transfer chamber. This segmentation allows independent manipulation of samples and waste removal without cross-contamination, enabling closed-system operation that prevents sample loss while maintaining operational ease through dedicated access ports for each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
A closed-system transfer mechanism acts as an intermediary between the sample chamber and external devices. This intermediary system allows sample transfer without opening the tube, using controlled fluid pathways and sealed connections to move samples while preventing exposure to the environment and contamination.
2Ease of operation
If manual manipulation of samples is performed by opening the centrifuge tube, then ease of operation is improved, but sample contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifuge tube is segmented into distinct functional zones: a sample chamber, a waste chamber, and a transfer chamber. This segmentation allows independent manipulation of samples and waste removal without cross-contamination, enabling closed-system operation that prevents sample loss while maintaining operational ease through dedicated access ports for each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
A closed-system transfer mechanism acts as an intermediary between the sample chamber and external devices. This intermediary system allows sample transfer without opening the tube, using controlled fluid pathways and sealed connections to move samples while preventing exposure to the environment and contamination.
3Device complexity
If traditional centrifuge tube design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but sample concentration decreases due to loss and dilution
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifuge tube is segmented into distinct functional zones: a sample chamber, a waste chamber, and a transfer chamber. This segmentation allows independent manipulation of samples and waste removal without cross-contamination, enabling closed-system operation that prevents sample loss while maintaining operational ease through dedicated access ports for each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a functional copy of the traditional centrifuge tube design by implementing a closed-system architecture that replicates the essential centrifugation function while adding controlled fluid pathways, sealed connections, and dedicated transfer mechanisms that maintain sample integrity without requiring complex manual manipulation.
4Loss of substance
If closed system centrifuge tube is used, then sample loss is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centrifuge tube is segmented into distinct functional zones: a sample chamber, a waste chamber, and a transfer chamber. This segmentation allows independent manipulation of samples and waste removal without cross-contamination, enabling closed-system operation that prevents sample loss while maintaining operational ease through dedicated access ports for each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed-system centrifuge tube integrates multiple functions into a single device: centrifugation, sample transfer, waste removal, and concentration. By combining these functions in one integrated system with dedicated ports for each operation, the patent reduces the need for multiple separate devices and manual transfer steps, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 closed system centrifuge tube minimizes sample loss and contamination by enabling controlled manipulation and transfer of samples within the tube, ensuring high efficiency and concentration of the pellet for downstream analysis.
Implementation Method 1
centrifuge systems that include a closed system that are suitable for testing nucleic acid amplification technologies including polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Data Source
AI summary
A closed system centrifuge tube is described and discussed herein that enables removal of waste and transfer and removal of samples via one or more ports of the centrifuge tube within the closed system, without exposing the sample to the outer environment. This may enable greater sample retention during sample processing and centrifugation of the sample.