Disposable Sample Tip for Immunoassay Carryover Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

The efficiency of full-automatic immune analyzers is reduced due to the need for frequent cleaning of sample needles to prevent carryover, which limits working efficiency and increases the risk of carryover between samples.

Innovation Solution

A liquid distribution method involving a sample addition member that continuously distributes samples to multiple reactors, with a buffer unit and a ferry unit to facilitate efficient sample and reagent distribution, allowing for simultaneous mixing and reducing the need for frequent cleaning of the sample addition member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the sample needle is cleaned multiple times to prevent carryover, then the reliability is improved, but the productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarryover preventionVSAvoidworking efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sample addition member is divided into a disposable tip portion and a reusable shaft portion. The tip portion is discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for repeated cleaning of the same component. This segmentation allows the reusable shaft to maintain reliability while improving productivity by reducing cleaning frequency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tip portion of the sample addition member is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use. This eliminates carryover concerns without requiring repeated cleaning of the same component, thereby maintaining reliability while improving working efficiency and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Productivity

If the cleaning time of the sample needle is limited to improve work efficiency, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvework efficiencyVSAvoidcarryover prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the sample addition member into disposable tip and reusable shaft, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming cleaning operations while maintaining reliable carryover prevention through the disposable nature of the tip portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable tip portion eliminates carryover risks without requiring cleaning time, allowing the system to achieve both high productivity and reliability without compromising either parameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If the sample needle is cleaned frequently to prevent carryover, then the reliability is improved, but the loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarryover preventionVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The segmentation of the sample addition member into disposable tip and reusable shaft eliminates the need for repeated cleaning operations, thereby preventing carryover while minimizing time loss to cleaning activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable tip portion ensures carryover prevention without consuming cleaning time, as each tip is discarded after single use rather than requiring repeated cleaning of the same component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 method improves the efficiency of liquid distribution and reduces carryover, enhancing the throughput of the immune analyzer by allowing for more efficient sample and reagent handling and mixing processes.

Implementation Method 1

using the sample addition member to suck a same sample and continuously distributing the same sample to at least two reactors on the buffer unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

the reagent distribution member is configured to suck a reagent from the storage unit configured for storing reagents, and distribute the reagent to the reactors located at the first workstation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient driven flow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3919914B1Liquid distribution method and immunoassay method

Publication Date: 2023.11.29 SHENZHEN LINKRAY BIOTECH CO LTD

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AI summary

A liquid distribution method. The method comprises the following steps: providing a sample-adding component (300) and a buffer unit (100); by means of the sample-adding component (300), extracting and continuously distributing a same sample into at least two reactors (20) on the buffer unit (100); after extracting and continuously distributing said sample into the at least two reactors (20), cleaning or replacing the sample-adding component (300); providing a reagent-distribution component (500); and, by means of the reagent-distribution component (500), distributing the reagent into each reactor (20) containing a sample..