Eccentric Rotary Dispenser for MALDI Sample Preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preparing sample sites on mass spectrometric sample supports for ionization by matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI) are manual, hazardous, and inefficient, particularly due to the use of aggressive solvents and acids that require manual handling and result in vapor release, posing health risks and inefficiencies in sample preparation.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing two eccentric rotational movements to precisely position a dispenser relative to sample sites on a sample support within a closed chamber with air circulation and filtration, eliminating the need for linear sliding motions and protecting mechanical components from corrosive vapors, and enabling non-contact liquid application using a swiveling arm or turntables to position the sample sites under a stationary dispenser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual pipetting is used to apply liquids to sample sites, then flexibility and simplicity are maintained, but health hazards increase due to exposure to aggressive solvent vapors and preparation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of vapor release is extracted and isolated by enclosing the preparation process within a closed chamber equipped with ventilation and filtration systems. This separates the harmful vapor generation from the operator environment while maintaining the liquid application function.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical pipetting is replaced with an automated dispensing system that uses computer-controlled mechanisms to apply liquids. This substitution eliminates human exposure to hazardous vapors while maintaining precise liquid application capability.
2Device complexity
If manual pipetting without hood is used, then equipment complexity is reduced, but health hazards increase due to insufficient ventilation
Solution Approach 1:
Ventilation and filtration are applied locally within the closed chamber rather than requiring a full-room hood system. This provides adequate vapor containment for the specific preparation area while minimizing overall equipment complexity and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed chamber creates a controlled environment that isolates the operator from hazardous vapors. The chamber acts as a localized inert barrier, protecting the operator while allowing the use of aggressive solvents within the preparation space.
3Extent of automation
If cross slides with stepper motors are used for positioning dispenser, then automated positioning is achieved, but mechanical components are damaged by corrosive vapors attacking metal surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The vulnerable mechanical positioning components (cross slides, stepper motors, screw threads) are extracted from the preparation chamber environment. They are positioned outside the closed chamber where they are not exposed to corrosive vapors, while still enabling automated positioning through external control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealed interface or feedthrough mechanism acts as an intermediary between the external positioning system and the internal dispenser. This mediator allows precise positioning control to be transmitted into the vapor-containing chamber without exposing the mechanical components to corrosive conditions.
4Ease of operation
If contact application with dabbing is used, then liquid application is achieved, but sample transfer between tips occurs and preparation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual dabbing motion and tip-handling operations are replaced with an automated dispensing mechanism that precisely deposits liquids through controlled release. This eliminates the need for manual dabbing motions and frequent tip replacements, significantly reducing preparation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated dispensing system enables continuous liquid application across multiple sample sites without interruption for tip replacement. The system maintains continuous operation, applying liquids to successive samples in an unbroken sequence, thereby maximizing preparation efficiency.
5Productivity
If non-contact application is used, then sample transfer is prevented and efficiency improves, but precise positioning of dispenser and sample sites becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The complex positioning mechanism is extracted from the vapor environment and placed outside the closed chamber. This allows the use of sophisticated positioning and alignment systems without exposing them to corrosive conditions, enabling precise non-contact liquid application while maintaining component reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses computer-controlled coordination to create a virtual model or map of the sample support geometry and sample site positions. This digital copy enables precise calculation and execution of positioning movements, simplifying the control of complex positioning mechanisms through software rather than purely mechanical means.
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 automates the sample preparation process, reducing exposure to hazardous vapors, saving time and material, and enabling more precise and efficient application of small quantities of samples, such as microbes, thereby improving the speed and accuracy of microbial identification in medical diagnostics.
Implementation Method 1
The invention proposes that the dispenser for liquids and the sample sites on a sample support are positioned with respect to each other by means of two rotations about two eccentric axes
Implementation Method 2
A device utilizing two eccentric rotational movements to precisely position a dispenser relative to sample sites on a sample support within a closed chamber with air circulation and filtration
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
Devices for the preparation of a plurality of samples on mass-spectrometric sample supports are presented, where the samples are prepared by the application of liquids such that they are suitable for ionization in a mass spectrometer, for example ionization by matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI). The invention proposes that the dispenser and sample sites are positioned with respect to each other by means of two rotations about two eccentric axes. As acids and aggressive solvents are used, which have to evaporate on the samples, the preparation can be carried out in a closed chamber with air circulation, filter, dispenser and mounting table for the sample support. The drives for positioning the dispenser and sample support relative to each other are preferably kept outside the chamber because the aggressive vapors would very quickly damage the motors and also the complex cross-rails of the XY translation stages used to move the sample supports.