Dispenser Filter Device for Precipitate-Free Reagent Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated biological processing systems face issues with solid particles in reagents causing dispenser malfunction due to precipitate formation, leading to improper dispensing and inconsistent specimen processing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a filter device with a hollow main body and a longitudinally-extending perforated sidewall that blocks precipitates larger than a threshold size, ensuring that only precipitate-free filtrate reaches the fluidic components, preventing clogging and maintaining dispenser performance even after extended storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional dispensers store reagents for extended periods, then the dispensers can maintain readiness for use, but solid particles and precipitates form in the reagents causing valve clogging and improper dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
A filter device is pre-installed in the dispenser to prevent solid particles and precipitates from reaching the valve mechanism before they can cause clogging. The filter is positioned in the fluid path upstream of the valve, intercepting precipitates as they form in stored reagents, thereby maintaining reliable dispensing operation over extended storage periods.
2Reliability
If filter devices are added to prevent precipitate clogging, then dispenser reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter device utilizes a porous filter element with controlled pore sizes to intercept solid particles and precipitates. The porous structure provides effective filtration while maintaining a compact, simple form factor that integrates easily into the existing dispenser architecture, minimizing the increase in device complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If large precipitates are allowed to remain in reagents, then reagent stability is maintained, but fluidic components become clogged leading to improper dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The filter device extracts and removes solid particles and precipitates from the reagent stream by intercepting them on the filter element. This separation allows the reagent to maintain its stable composition while preventing the harmful effect of clogging in downstream fluidic components, as precipitates are continuously removed from the flow path.
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 filter device effectively prevents large precipitates from reaching the fluidic components, ensuring consistent and precise dispensing of reagents, thereby maintaining the integrity of the biological processing system and preventing dispenser malfunction.
Implementation Method 1
at least one filtering element including a longitudinally-extending perforated sidewall configured to substantially block precipitates in a chamber of the reagent dispenser while allowing reagent in the reagent dispenser to flow through the at least one filtering element
Data Source
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AI summary
A biological processing system includes a platform assembly for holding slides and a dispenser assembly with dispensers. The dispensers are sequentially positionable over specimen-bearing slides to enable dispensing of substances onto specimens. The dispensers include a filter device for filtering a processing substance such that a substantially precipitate-free filtrate is applied to the specimens. The dispenser includes a filter device positioned at least partially in a reservoir chamber. The filter device includes anti-clogging features to maintain desired performance.