Disposable Foil Punch for Immunohematology Analyzer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current immunodiagnostic testing systems face challenges with cross-contamination and inefficiency due to the use of single-use reagent packs and complex piercing mechanisms, leading to false positive results and increased waste generation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize disposable punches with compatibility testing and alignment to pierce sealed elements, ensuring that only compatible punches are used to prevent cross-contamination, and a pre-stressed foil wrap design for easy puncture without touching the seal, reducing the need for frequent punch replacement and manual cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable punches are used to pierce sealed elements, then cross-contamination is reduced, but device complexity increases due to compatibility testing and alignment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs compatibility testing of disposable punches with sealed elements before the actual piercing operation. The scheduler estimates the time required for this preliminary compatibility check, ensuring that only compatible punches are used to pierce specific sealed elements, thereby preventing cross-contamination while maintaining systematic control over the process
Solution Approach 2:
The scheduler acts as an intermediary between the disposable punch selection and the piercing operation. It coordinates the compatibility testing process, determines appropriate punch-element pairings, and manages the timing of these preliminary actions to ensure reliable operation without direct manual intervention
2Ease of operation
If pre-stressed foil wrap design is used, then puncture ease is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foil wrap is pre-stressed during manufacturing to create specific mechanical properties that facilitate easy puncture. The pre-stressing modifies the physical state and stress distribution of the foil, creating a weakened portion that can be easily pierced by the disposable punch while maintaining seal integrity during storage and transport
3Measurement precision
If compatibility testing is implemented, then test accuracy is improved, but loss of time increases due to preliminary testing
Solution Approach 1:
Compatibility testing is performed as a preliminary action before the actual test analysis, allowing the system to pre-determine appropriate punch-element pairings. The scheduler estimates and manages the time required for these preliminary compatibility checks, ensuring that accurate test results are achieved without excessive delays
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from compatibility testing results to determine whether a specific disposable punch is suitable for piercing a sealed element. This feedback mechanism ensures that only compatible combinations are used, improving test accuracy while the scheduler optimizes the timing to minimize overall process duration
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a device and method of using the device to reduce false positives when using sealed packs in an immunodiagnostic analyzer while allowing use of the reagents in multiple tests as well as reuse of disposable punches employed for piercing foil covering the reagent aliquots. The disclosed devices and methods are useful in carrying out tests in immunohematology such as for a blood type or a screen.