Disposable Electrode Cartridge for Contamination-Free Droplet Manipulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated liquid handling systems are not suitable for fully automated processing of nucleic acids from collected biological samples to final analysis, especially in small volume scales, and are prone to cross-contamination due to non-disposable and expensive electrode arrays.
Innovation Solution
A liquid droplet manipulation system with a substrate and electrode array that accepts a working film for manipulating samples, allowing for optical inspection, and a disposable cartridge with a hydrophobic surface for electrowetting-based processing, enabling single-use, cost-effective, and contamination-free handling of biological samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a non-disposable electrode array is used for automated liquid handling, then automation capability is improved, but cross-contamination risk increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the electrode array into multiple independent, disposable cartridges. Each cartridge contains a complete set of electrodes for a specific assay, allowing individual replacement after use. This segmentation eliminates cross-contamination between samples while maintaining full automation capability, as each cartridge is independently disposed of after a single use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements disposable electrode array cartridges that are inexpensive enough to be used once and discarded. Each cartridge is pre-configured with electrodes and reagents, enabling fully automated processing without risk of cross-contamination. The low cost allows high-throughput applications where multiple cartridges are used sequentially, maintaining both automation and reliability.
2Reliability
If a disposable cartridge system is implemented, then cross-contamination is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge design merges multiple functions into a single integrated unit: the electrode array, reagent reservoirs, sample wells, and structural support are combined into one disposable cartridge. This consolidation simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating the need for separate components and assembly steps, reducing device complexity while maintaining cross-contamination prevention through single-use design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different assay configurations. The standardized interface allows the same basic cartridge design to be used across multiple applications by simply changing the internal electrode pattern or reagent composition. This universality reduces device complexity by using a single platform design rather than requiring separate systems for different assays.
3Productivity
If small volume processing is performed, then sample throughput is improved, but measurement precision becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode design incorporates local optimization for small volume detection. Each electrode is precisely positioned and sized to match the small droplet volumes processed, maximizing the surface area to volume ratio for enhanced sensitivity. The electrode geometry and spacing are locally optimized for detecting signals from nanoliter-scale samples, maintaining measurement precision while enabling high throughput through automated processing.
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
Enables fully automated processing of nucleic acids from collected biological samples to final analysis in small volumes, reducing cross-contamination risks and allowing for multiple manipulations of single samples, including nucleic acid amplification and SNP analysis, while maintaining electrode array cleanliness.
Implementation Method 1
manipulating liquid droplets by electrowetting
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid droplet manipulation system has a substrate with at least one electrode array and a central control unit for controlling selection of individual electrodes of the electrode array and for providing the electrodes with individual voltage pulses for manipulating liquid droplets by electrowetting. A working film is placed on top of the electrodes for manipulating samples in liquid droplets with the electrode array. At least one selected individual electrode of the electrode array is configured to be penetrated by light of an optical detection system for the optical inspection or analysis of samples in liquid droplets that are located on the working film. Also disclosed is working film that is to be placed on the electrode array and a cartridge that includes such a working film for manipulating samples in liquid droplets.