Liquid Dispensing Apparatus Buffer Region Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing methods for monoclonal cell lines often result in target cell losses and operational delays due to incorrect dispensing of liquid samples when the discharge region is cell-free but the sedimentation region contains a target cell.
Innovation Solution
A method where the particle condition is determined by checking if a target particle is in the buffer region and not in the discharge region, allowing for efficient dispensing onto a target particle carrier during the time delay before the output operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the dispensing decision is made immediately based on the current position of particles, then the dispensing operation is fast, but target cells are lost when they are in the sedimentation region and will move into the discharge region during the time delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by checking the buffer region (sedimentation region) in advance to predict future particle positions. Instead of only checking the discharge region at the moment of dispensing decision, the system proactively identifies particles in the buffer region that will move into the discharge region during the time delay, and adjusts the dispensing decision accordingly to prevent target cell losses.
2Device complexity
If the discharge region is monitored without considering the buffer region, then the detection is simple, but incorrect dispensing occurs when the discharge region is cell-free but the buffer region contains a target cell
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitoring region into two distinct zones: the discharge region and the buffer region. Each region serves a specific function - the discharge region indicates current particle presence, while the buffer region predicts future particle movement. This segmentation allows the system to make more accurate dispensing decisions by considering both regions separately rather than treating them as a single monitoring area.
3Productivity
If target cells in the buffer region are discarded, then the reject container is efficiently managed, but valuable target cells are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using information from the buffer region monitoring to adjust the dispensing decision. The system continuously monitors particle positions in both the discharge and buffer regions, and uses this feedback loop to predict where particles will be at the time of dispensing. This feedback mechanism prevents the premature rejection of droplets containing target cells that are currently in the buffer region but will move to the discharge region.
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 approach reduces the number of incorrect dispensing operations onto a collecting carrier by considering the time delay for particle movement from the buffer to the discharge region, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reducing losses of target cells.
Implementation Method 1
the buffer region is a region from which the at least one target particle is movable into the discharge region during a time delay between the determination of whether the particle condition is satisfied and an output operation of the dispensing apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
A method for dispensing a liquid sample by means of a dispensing apparatus in which it is determined whether a particle condition is satisfied, wherein the determination comprises checking whether at least one target particle present in a liquid of the liquid sample is contained in a monitoring region of the dispensing apparatus, wherein the monitoring region comprises a discharge region and a buffer region, wherein the buffer region is a region from which the at least one target particle is movable into the discharge region during a time delay between the determination of whether the particle condition is satisfied and an output operation of the dispensing apparatus. The method is characterised in that it is determined that the particle condition is satisfied when the at least one target particle is arranged in the buffer region and no target particle is arranged in the discharge region, and that the liquid sample is dispensed onto a target particle carrier if the particle condition is satisfied.