Flexible Wall Container for Particle Suspension Homogeneity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The homogeneity of particle suspensions in containers used for diagnostic assays is often compromised by shaking mechanisms and container design, affecting the reproducibility of analyte detection methods.
Innovation Solution
A container with flexible walls is used, where a force is exerted multiple times to suspend particles, ensuring a homogeneous solution, and an aliquot is removed and dispensed into a sample for analyte immobilization and separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If shaking mechanisms are used to suspend particles in solution, then particle suspension is achieved, but homogeneity of the suspension is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The container walls are designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing the container to dynamically adapt its shape during particle suspension. The flexible walls enable the container to deform and return to its original shape, creating effective mixing action that maintains homogeneous particle distribution without relying on external shaking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the container walls from rigid to flexible. This parameter change allows the container itself to participate in the particle suspension process through elastic deformation, fundamentally altering how particles are kept in suspension and improving homogeneity.
2Strength
If rigid container walls are used, then container structural integrity is maintained, but particle suspension homogeneity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible walls made from elastomeric materials that can deform under pressure and return to their original shape. This flexibility enables the container to actively participate in particle suspension through shape changes, while the material properties maintain sufficient structural integrity for practical use.
Solution Approach 2:
The container walls are made from composite or multi-component elastomeric materials that combine flexibility with structural strength. These materials provide both the necessary deformability for particle suspension and the structural integrity required for container functionality.
3Stability of the object's composition
If flexible walls are used, then particle suspension homogeneity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible container walls perform the particle suspension function inherently through their elastic properties, without requiring additional external shaking mechanisms or complex suspension devices. The container structure itself provides the mixing action needed for homogeneous particle distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible container serves multiple functions: it contains the solution, maintains structural integrity, and actively participates in particle suspension through its elastic deformation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate shaking mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity.
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 method improves the homogeneity of particle suspensions, enhancing the reliability and precision of analyte detection by ensuring consistent particle distribution in aliquots, thereby improving the sensitivity and quality of diagnostic assays.
Implementation Method 1
at least a part of said walls is flexible... suspending the particles by exerting a force on the flexible part of said walls of the container more than one time
Data Source
AI summary
A method of separating an analyte from a biological sample is described. The method comprises providing particles capable of binding said analyte when present in a solution in a container, said container comprising walls, wherein at least a part of said walls is flexible. The particles are suspended in the solution by exerting a force on the flexible part of the walls of the container more than one time. An aliquot of the suspended particles is then removed from the container. The removed aliquot is dispensed into a sample, and the sample is incubated under conditions suitable to immobilize said analyte on the particles. The particles with the bound analyte are then separated from other material and at least part of the biological sample is removed.