Finger-Mounted Tube Holder for Multi-Sample Pipetting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laboratory technologies fail to provide a unique product that the user requires a unique product that the user to hold multiple microcentrifuge tubes in a process, the device is not addressed by the user to hold multiple microcentrifuge tubes in a process, and the device is not addressed by the user to hold multiple microcentrifuge tubes in a process.

Innovation Solution

A finger-mounted device for holding microcentrifuge tubes of various sizes, allowing them to be mounted on the inside or outside of the hand without grasping, reducing the need for frequent picking-up and putting-down actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the user holds multiple microcentrifuge tubes manually during pipetting, then the ability to access multiple samples is improved, but the time required for alternating between tubes and pipette increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to access multiple samplesVSAvoidtime for alternating between tubes and pipette

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the hand into multiple functional zones by mounting multiple tube holders at different positions (thumb, index, middle fingers), allowing each finger to independently hold and access specific tubes while the other hand operates the pipette, eliminating the need to alternate between hands

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-plane tube-holding approach to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement of multiple tubes around the hand, with holders positioned on different fingers and orientations, enabling simultaneous access to multiple tubes from different spatial locations without interfering with pipette operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the user frequently picks up and puts down tubes during pipetting, then access to different samples is maintained, but the risk of sample contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to different samplesVSAvoidrisk of sample contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary action by pre-positioning multiple tubes on the user's hand before the pipetting process begins, so that all required tubes are already in accessible positions and no additional picking up or putting down actions are needed during the procedure, thereby eliminating contamination risks from repeated handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The finger-mounted tube holders serve as intermediaries between the tubes and the user's direct grasp, providing a stable mounting mechanism that secures tubes in fixed positions on the hand, reducing the frequency of direct tube handling and associated contamination risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the user attempts to hold more than one tube while using a micropipette, then multi-sample processing capability is improved, but the complexity of hand coordination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-sample processing capabilityVSAvoidhand coordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device applies universality by designing a standardized finger-mounted holder system that can accommodate multiple tubes of various sizes and types on different fingers, creating a universal platform that simplifies the coordination of multiple tubes and pipette operations through consistent mounting and positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250375770A1Finger-mounted device for holding and using microcentrifuge tubes

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

AI summary

A finger-mounted device comprising a finger attachment and tube receiver that allows microcentrifuge tubes to be mounted and held in position on either the internal side or the external side of a users hand without grasping either the tubes or the tube holder, wherein device allows a user to hold microcentrifuge tubes of various sizes while using a pipette.