Flexible Reagent Bag Gravity Feed for Bubble-Free Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reagent containers in sample analysis devices face issues with reagent concentration due to evaporation and air bubble formation, leading to inaccurate analysis and wastage of expensive reagents, especially when the remaining amount is small.
Innovation Solution
A reagent supply device with a reagent supply port on the lower side of the container body, using a material with predetermined hardness, allows reagent to flow downward, eliminating the need for suction and preventing air bubble mixing, while a flexible container and hermetically sealed nozzle penetration portion prevent contamination and leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the reagent is filled in a bottle made of glass or resin, then the reagent can be stored, but air space is generated along with consumption leading to reagent concentration due to evaporation or condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible reagent bag instead of a rigid glass or resin bottle. The flexible bag can be collapsed as reagent is consumed, eliminating air space formation. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reagent storage stability while preventing concentration accuracy degradation through evaporation or condensation.
2Quantity of substance
If the remaining amount of reagent in the container is smaller, then the reagent is hardly sucked through the suction nozzle, but air bubbles are generated due to air sucked together with the reagent
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of sucking reagent upward through a long nozzle from the bottom, the patent inverts the approach by placing the supply port on the lower side of the container and allowing reagent to flow downward under gravity. This eliminates the long suction path that causes air bubble generation while ensuring complete reagent extraction even when remaining amount is small, thus maintaining both supply quantity and analysis accuracy.
3Volume of moving object
If a flexible reagent bag is used, then the volume can be reduced along with reagent consumption, but air cannot be pushed out sufficiently leading to air space generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-arranges the supply port structure with a nozzle penetration portion and cap mechanism before reagent consumption begins. The cap can be removed to allow air evacuation, and the nozzle is pre-positioned for optimal reagent flow. This preliminary configuration enables the flexible bag to maintain volume reduction benefits while preventing air space formation that would compromise concentration accuracy.
4Quantity of substance
If the suction nozzle is long to reach the lowermost portion, then the reagent can be extracted, but air bubbles are easily generated due to reduction in pressure in the nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional suction approach by placing the supply port on the lower side and allowing gravity-driven downward flow instead of upward suction. This eliminates the long pressure-reducing nozzle path, enabling complete reagent extraction while preventing air bubble generation, thus maintaining both extraction completeness and supply stability.
5Manufacturing precision
If the cap is removed and the bag is squeezed to push out internal air, then the air space can be reduced, but the user may touch the reagent or contamination may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cap as an intermediary component that seals the supply port. The cap can be removed in a controlled manner to allow air evacuation, and the nozzle penetration portion provides a protected interface. This intermediary mechanism enables air space reduction while minimizing direct user contact with reagent and preventing contamination, thus resolving the contradiction between concentration accuracy and contamination prevention.
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
Ensures complete usage of reagents without remnants, prevents reagent concentration, and maintains accuracy and economy in reagent supply, even when the remaining amount is small, with durable and long-term contamination prevention.
Implementation Method 1
reagent supply port (5) arranged on a lower side of the container body (2), and the reagent flows out of the container in a downward direction
Implementation Method 2
flexible reagent bag obtained by processing a lamination of a resin layer and an aluminum foil layer into a bag-like shape as a container that is capable of reducing its volume along with the reduction in the amount of the reagent
Implementation Method 3
nozzle penetration portion (5b) formed of a material having a high elastic limit, preventing the contamination of the reagent or the contact between a user and the reagent
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Provided are a reagent supply method and device capable of using up a reagent in a container without a remnant to the extent possible, and supplying the reagent to an analysis device without mixing air bubbles even when the remaining amount of the reagent is extremely small. The reagent supply device includes: at least one reagent container including: a container body for storing a liquid reagent; and a reagent supply port arranged on the container body; and a support member for supporting the at least one reagent container so that the reagent supply port is positioned on a lower side of the container body. The reagent supply port is sealed by a plug including at least one nozzle penetration portion. The at least one nozzle penetration portion is formed of a material having a Shore hardness of from A5° to A90°.