Disposable Cartridge with Electrode Array for Automated Liquid Droplet Manipulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated systems for biological sample processing, particularly for nucleic acids, are not fully integrated, require user intervention, and are not cost-efficient, leading to challenges in handling small volumes and risking cross-contamination due to non-disposable electrode arrays.
Innovation Solution
A biological sample processing system comprising a container with multiple wells for macro-volume samples, a flat polymer film, and a liquid droplet manipulation instrument with an electrode array for electrowetting, enabling fully automated processing from sample preparation to analysis without user interaction, using disposable components to maintain cost-effectiveness and prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated liquid handling systems are used for biological sample processing, then productivity and automation extent are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into discrete, modular components: a disposable cartridge containing sample wells and reaction chambers, a separate electrode array for droplet manipulation, and a control unit. This segmentation allows the complex automation functions to be contained within standardized modules that can be easily replaced and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable cartridges that are pre-filled with reagents and samples, eliminating the need for complex cleaning and sterilization procedures between uses. This disposable approach simplifies the system design by removing the need for sophisticated contamination control mechanisms, while maintaining high throughput through rapid cartridge exchange.
2Reliability
If non-disposable electrode arrays are used, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but cross-contamination risk and cost-efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode array is integrated into a disposable cartridge assembly that is discarded after a single use or single sample batch. This eliminates cross-contamination risks entirely while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized production of the disposable units. The low cost of the disposable cartridge makes this approach economically viable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to discard the entire cartridge-containing-electrode-array assembly after use, rather than attempting to clean and reuse the electrodes. This simple discard approach reliably prevents cross-contamination without requiring complex recovery or sterilization processes, maintaining both reliability and cost-efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If user intervention is required for sample processing, then ease of operation is improved, but automation extent and productivity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is pre-configured with all necessary reagents, samples, and electrode arrangements before reaching the user. The system automatically performs droplet manipulation, mixing, and processing steps through programmed electrode activation, requiring minimal user intervention beyond inserting the cartridge and initiating the protocol. This self-service approach maximizes productivity while maintaining ease of operation through simple cartridge loading.
Solution Approach 2:
All complex sample processing steps are pre-programmed into the control system and pre-configured within the cartridge design. The electrodes and reaction chambers are arranged in advance to enable automated processing sequences. Users simply insert the pre-prepared cartridge and the system executes the complete processing workflow automatically, achieving high throughput without sacrificing operational simplicity.
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 allows for precise, automated handling and processing of biological samples from macro-volumes to nano-volumes, ensuring standardized and cost-efficient processing from sample preparation to final analysis without user intervention and minimizing cross-contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid droplet manipulation instrument with an electrode array for electrowetting
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge has a container with at least one well, protrusions distributed on the container base side, and a flat polymer film having a lower surface and a hydrophobic upper surface kept at a distance (d) to the container base side by the protrusions. The container and the film are reversibly attachable to a liquid droplet manipulation instrument so that the lower surface of the film abuts at least one electrode array of the instrument. The container enables displacement of at least one liquid droplet from a well onto the hydrophobic upper surface of the flat polymer film and above the electrode array. The liquid droplet manipulation instrument has a control unit with a voltage control and an electrode selector for individually selecting each electrode of the electrode array and for providing the selected electrode with a voltage.