Dry Reagent Cup Piercing Liquid Reservoir Barrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost and environmental impact of shipping and storing liquid reagents for sequencing platforms, which require freezing, lead to increased expenses and sustainability concerns due to the need for additional packaging and equipment.

Innovation Solution

The development of dry reagent cup assemblies that allow dry reagents to be shipped and stored at ambient temperatures, with a liquid impermeable barrier separating the dry reagent cup from the liquid reservoir, enabling on-demand rehydration when needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If liquid reagent is kept frozen to maintain stability, then reagent stability is improved, but shipping and storage costs increase due to additional packaging and freezer equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereagent stabilityVSAvoidpackaging and storage equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the reagent from liquid to dry form, which fundamentally alters the storage requirements. Dry reagents are stable at ambient temperature, eliminating the need for freezing infrastructure while maintaining reagent stability throughout the supply chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The reagent system is divided into separate components: a dry reagent cup and a liquid reservoir. The dry reagent cup can be shipped and stored independently at ambient temperature, and only requires liquid addition when actually used, separating the stability maintenance function from the operational function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If dry reagent cup is moved into liquid reservoir to rehydrate, then reagent availability is improved, but risk of premature rehydration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereagent availabilityVSAvoidpremature rehydration risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dry reagent cup is designed with an asymmetrical protrusion that automatically pierces the liquid impermeable barrier when the cup is inserted into the liquid reservoir. This self-actuating mechanism ensures rehydration only occurs when the cup is properly positioned in the reservoir, eliminating the need for external actuation and preventing premature rehydration during handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The asymmetrical protrusion on the dry reagent cup creates a directional insertion path that ensures the cup is inserted correctly to trigger the piercing action. The asymmetry provides mechanical guidance and ensures that the piercing force is applied only in the correct orientation, preventing accidental activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of manufacture

If liquid impermeable barrier is pierced with asymmetrical protrusion, then rehydration process is simplified, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverehydration processVSAvoidprotrusion symmetry

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetrical protrusion is designed to automatically perform the piercing function during the normal insertion operation. The geometry of the protrusion and its interaction with the liquid impermeable barrier is engineered so that the act of inserting the cup into the reservoir naturally creates the piercing force, eliminating the need for separate piercing mechanisms or complex actuation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution extends the shelf life and stability of reagents, reduces shipping and storage costs, and eliminates the need for freezers, while ensuring reagents are available when required, thus enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability.

Implementation Method 1

a liquid impermeable barrier covers the cup opening and separates the liquid reservoir and the dry reagent cup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLiquid impermeability:

Implementation Method 2

The dry reagent cup is movable between an initial position outside of the liquid reservoir and a rehydrating position where the dry reagent cup pierces and passes through an opening in the liquid impermeable barrier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical piercing: Impact Force

Implementation Method 3

moving the dry reagent cup into the liquid reservoir to rehydrate the dry reagent and form liquid reagent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRehydration: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20230226552A1Dry reagent cup assemblies and methods

Publication Date: 2023.07.20 ILLUMINA INC

AI summary

Dry reagent cup assemblies and methods are disclosed. In accordance with an implementation, an apparatus includes a liquid reservoir and dry reagent cup assembly. The liquid reservoir has a base, side wall that extends from the base, and distal opening. The dry reagent cup assembly coupled to the liquid reservoir includes a dry reagent cup and liquid impermeable barrier. The dry reagent cup has a cup base, cup side wall that extends from the cup base, and cup opening. The distal opening of the liquid reservoir faces the cup opening. The liquid impermeable barrier covers the cup opening and separates the liquid reservoir and the dry reagent cup. The dry reagent cup moves between an initial position outside the liquid reservoir and a rehydrating position where the dry reagent cup pierces and passes through an opening in the liquid impermeable barrier and is received within the liquid reservoir.