Ferromagnetic Microwell Rotors for Probe-Safe Liquid Agitation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing biochemical testing systems face challenges in effectively and efficiently agitating liquid samples within microwells, which affects sensitivity and throughput, particularly in point-of-care and batch analyzers, and can damage probes or interfere with imaging.

Innovation Solution

The use of ferromagnetic rotors designed to spin within microwells, controlled by an external magnetic field, which agitate the liquid samples without excessive horizontal movement, allowing for efficient mixing and preventing probe damage while enabling imaging through the well bottom.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional magnetic stirrers are used to agitate liquid samples in microwells, then mixing is achieved, but excessive horizontal movement occurs causing probe damage and interference with imaging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid agitation effectivenessVSAvoidprobe damage and imaging interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical magnetic stirrers with a ferromagnetic rotor system controlled by an external magnetic field. Instead of direct mechanical contact that causes horizontal movement and probe damage, the system uses magnetic field rotation to induce controlled spinning of the ferromagnetic rotor, achieving liquid agitation without mechanical interference with probes or imaging systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The ferromagnetic rotor acts as an intermediary between the external magnetic field and the liquid sample. The magnetic field rotates the ferromagnetic rotor, which in turn agitates the liquid through controlled spinning motion. This intermediary mechanism prevents direct harmful interactions while effectively transferring rotational energy to achieve mixing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If agitation is increased to improve mixing efficiency, then sensitivity and throughput improve, but probe damage and evaporation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassay throughput and sensitivityVSAvoidprobe damage and evaporation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically controls the magnetic field rotation to adjust rotor spinning speed according to assay requirements. The external magnetic field can be rotated at controlled speeds and directions, allowing optimization of agitation intensity to improve mixing efficiency while preventing excessive motion that would cause probe damage or evaporation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of agitation by using ferromagnetic material properties and magnetic field characteristics. By controlling magnetic field strength, rotation speed, and duration, the system achieves optimal agitation parameters that improve sensitivity and throughput without generating harmful effects such as probe damage or sample evaporation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If magnetic field rotation is used to spin the rotor, then liquid agitation is achieved, but excessive spinning may cause probe damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid mixing efficiencyVSAvoidprobe integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces direct mechanical drive mechanisms with magnetic field-driven rotation. The external magnetic field induces spinning in the ferromagnetic rotor without mechanical contact, eliminating the risk of mechanical forces damaging probes while maintaining effective liquid agitation through controlled rotational motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The ferromagnetic rotors provide effective agitation, enhance sensitivity and throughput, prevent undesirable rebinding and evaporation, and allow for reliable testing results without probe interference, while facilitating imaging.

Implementation Method 1

The rotor can be subjected to an external rotational magnetic field, which causes the rotor to spin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFerromagnetism: Ferromagnetism

Data Source

PatentEP3678782B1Ferromagnetic rotors for agitating the liquid in a microwell

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 ACCESS MEDICAL SYSTEMS LTD

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AI summary

Introduced here are rotors that can be placed inside of microplate wells that include liquid samples. Each rotor can be comprised of a ferromagnetic material. Accordingly, when a rotor is subjected to an external rotational magnetic field, the rotor spins and agitates the liquid sample inside the corresponding well. The spin speed may be adjusted by changing the rotation speed, direction, and/or orientation of the external rotational magnetic field. The rotor typically includes a central cavity within which a probe can be suspended during the biochemical test.