Disposable Sample Holder Adapter for Low-Volume Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laboratory analysis devices for low-volume solution samples face challenges with cross-contamination, costly maintenance due to mechanical structures, and incompatibility with automated handlers, making them inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A presentation system with an adapter that includes a recess for a removable sample holder and cover plate, designed to maintain the sample holder in place during measurement, reducing the need for maintenance and minimizing cross-contamination by allowing for easy replacement of sample holders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If aliquot-containing structures are fixed to the cartridge, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity increases and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is divided into separate functional components: a reusable adapter body and removable aliquot-containing structures (sample holder and cover). This segmentation allows the complex measurement interface to be isolated in disposable components while the adapter body remains simple and reusable, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The aliquot-containing structures are designed as disposable components that are replaced rather than cleaned or maintained. This eliminates maintenance costs and complexity associated with fixed structures, while maintaining measurement precision through factory-calibrated disposable units.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical structures like hinges are included, then ease of operation improves, but reliability decreases due to wear and failure
Solution Approach 1:
The sample holder and cover are designed as disposable components without mechanical fasteners or hinges. They are inserted and removed by simple friction fit or snap-in mechanisms, eliminating wear-prone mechanical structures while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive handling of single-use units.
Solution Approach 2:
The problematic mechanical structures (hinges, complex fasteners) are extracted from the design entirely. The aliquot-containing structures use simple insertion/removal mechanisms that avoid mechanical wear, transferring the complexity to the disposable nature of the components rather than to mechanical durability requirements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If aliquot-containing structures are fixed and require cleaning, then cross-contamination is reduced, but loss of time increases due to cleaning procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The sample holder and cover are designed as disposable components that are discarded after a single use. This eliminates the need for cleaning procedures entirely, as each new experiment uses a fresh, sterile component. The low cost of these disposable units makes the time-saving benefit significant, as researchers spend no time on cleaning while maintaining complete prevention of cross-contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of cleaning and reusing the aliquot-containing structures, the system is designed to discard them after single use. The adapter body is recovered and reused, while the sample holder and cover are discarded. This approach eliminates cleaning time while preventing cross-contamination, as each disposable component is used only once.
4Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical structures are included, then adaptability to different configurations improves, but ease of repair worsens due to component wear
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a reusable adapter body and disposable aliquot-containing structures. This segmentation provides adaptability through the reusable adapter that can accommodate different sample types, while the disposable components eliminate repair needs. Each disposable unit is pre-configured for specific applications, providing versatility without mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter body is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different types of sample holders and covers for various measurement applications. This universal interface provides adaptability and versatility, while the disposable nature of the attached components eliminates maintenance and repair requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A presentation system for a low-volume solution sample for use in an analysis system is provided. An adapter positions aliquots of the low-volume sample solution for measurement by the analysis system. The adapter includes a recess formed in an upper surface of the adapter for removable receipt of a sample holder that holds the aliquots of the low-volume sample solution. The sample holder is seated in the recess when the sample holder is inserted into the recess. The shape of the recess substantially conforms to at least a portion of the shape of the sample holder such that the recess maintains the sample holder in place during measurement of the aliquots. The recess also has a depth sufficient to receive the sample holder and a cover plate when the sample holder and the cover plate are inserted into the recess.