Centrifuge Dispenser Nozzle Cleaning via Suction Adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifuges face challenges in reliably and automatically dispensing small quantities of liquid reagents to reaction vessels while minimizing reagent waste and requiring frequent manual cleaning of dispensing nozzles.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with a linear drive and multiple dispensing heads, each connected to pumps via a pump valve system that allows for individual and common reagent stocks, enabling precise reagent delivery and automatic nozzle cleaning using a cleaning adapter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple dispensing heads are used to increase productivity, then the complexity of the pump valve system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump valve system is segmented into multiple independent pump units, each with its own valve mechanism. This allows parallel operation of multiple dispensing heads while keeping each individual pump valve system relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump valve system is designed with universal components that can be reused across multiple pump units. The same valve mechanism and pump design can be replicated for each dispensing head, reducing overall system complexity through standardization.
2Loss of substance
If individual reagent stocks are used for each pump to minimize waste, then the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent storage system is divided into separate individual reagent stocks for each pump, allowing independent control and minimizing cross-contamination and waste. Each pump has its own dedicated reagent source.
Solution Approach 2:
A microprocessor control system acts as an intermediary to automatically manage the complex reagent storage and dispensing operations. The controller coordinates pump operation, valve timing, and reagent exchange, simplifying the overall system operation despite the increased number of components.
3Reliability
If manual cleaning of dispensing nozzles is performed frequently to maintain sterility, then the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-cleaning operations automatically. A cleaning solution is dispensed through the dispensing nozzles to clean reaction vessels, and the nozzles themselves are cleaned by flushing with cleaning solution from reservoirs, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
Cleaning operations are performed automatically between dispensing cycles as a preliminary action. The system includes automatic cleaning cycles that prepare the nozzles and reaction vessels for the next operation, ensuring sterility without stopping productivity.
4Ease of operation
If cleaning solutions are dispensed through the same nozzles used for reagents, then reagent contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates cleaning solution delivery and reagent dispensing into distinct pathways. Dedicated cleaning solution reservoirs and dispensing mechanisms are provided, physically isolating the cleaning function from the reagent dispensing function to prevent contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is extracted from the reagent dispensing system. Separate cleaning solution reservoirs and dispensing nozzles are provided, removing the potential contamination pathway while maintaining operational simplicity through automated integration.
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 system ensures low reagent waste and automatic nozzle cleaning, reducing manual intervention and maintaining nozzle sterility, thus enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the dispensing process.
Implementation Method 1
pumps (21), each of which is connected to one of the dispensing heads (32) by a liquid line (34), for conveying a liquid reagent to the respective dispensing head (32)
Implementation Method 2
A cleaning adapter (60) for a dispensing head (32) with at least one dispensing nozzle (33) is provided, wherein the cleaning adapter (60) has a suction opening (69) facing the dispensing nozzle (33)
Implementation Method 3
a centrifuge for cleaning reaction vessel units. This centrifuge has a rotor and a rotor chamber in which the rotor is rotatably mounted
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a dispensing device with a linear drive for the relative movement of a reaction vessel unit along a dispensing unit with at least two dispensing heads, each of which has at least one dispensing nozzle, so that a reaction vessel unit can be arranged under the dispensing nozzles of the dispensing unit in order to fill at least one reaction vessel of the reaction vessel unit, pumps which are each connected by a liquid line to one of the dispensing heads in order to convey a liquid reagent to the respective dispensing head. The invention is characterised in that a pump valve with a first and a second inlet and an outlet is arranged upstream of each of the two pumps, wherein the outlet can be connected to the respective pump, the first inlet can be connected to a common reagent stock and the second inlet can be connected to an individual reagent stock.