Fluid Delivery Device with Blowing Element for Cross-Contamination Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid delivery devices for chemical or biological assays face challenges with cross-contamination and carryover when emptying wells, and they often require complex processes for efficient fluid management.
Innovation Solution
The fluid delivery device incorporates a separate blowing element with multiple apertures connected to a source of pressurized gas, allowing for simultaneous fluid delivery and well emptying while minimizing the risk of cross-contamination through the use of separate tools for fluid delivery and gas supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fluid delivery device uses the same tool for both delivering fluid to wells and emptying wells, then device complexity is reduced, but cross-contamination and carryover occur between wells
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid delivery device is segmented into separate functional components: a pipetting device for fluid delivery and a blowing element for well emptying. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination by ensuring that the tool used for delivering fluid to wells is never the same tool used for emptying wells, thus eliminating carryover risks while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The emptying function is extracted from the pipetting device and implemented as a separate blowing element connected to a pressurized gas source. This extraction allows the pipetting device to专注于 fluid delivery without the risk of contaminating subsequent wells, while the blowing element handles well emptying independently, thus resolving the cross-contamination issue.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a fluid delivery device uses separate tools for fluid delivery and well emptying, then cross-contamination is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blowing element with multiple apertures serves multiple functions: it can empty multiple wells simultaneously, control gas flow to prevent contamination, and work in coordination with the pipetting device. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing comprehensive contamination prevention and efficient well processing.
Solution Approach 2:
Pressurized gas acts as an intermediary medium between the blowing element and the well contents. Instead of direct mechanical contact that could cause contamination, the pressurized gas mediates the emptying process by pushing fluid out through the well opening, thus preventing cross-contamination while achieving effective well emptying.
3Device complexity
If a fluid delivery device processes wells sequentially, then device complexity is reduced, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blowing element combines multiple apertures into a single component that can empty multiple wells simultaneously. This merging of functions allows parallel processing of multiple wells, significantly improving productivity and processing efficiency without requiring multiple separate emptying devices, thus maintaining manageable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blowing element enables continuous emptying action across multiple wells by maintaining pressurized gas flow throughout the process. This continuity eliminates idle time between well emptying operations, improving overall processing efficiency while the modular design keeps device complexity manageable.
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 configuration enhances processing efficiency, reduces the risk of cross-contamination and carryover, and allows for fast and versatile fluid management in chemical or biological assays.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure differential exceeds a predetermined amount, a reagent solution is expelled from the well through the orifice
Implementation Method 2
said orifice being dimensioned such as to form a capillary liquid seal to retain the reagent solution in the well
Implementation Method 3
The substance is held within the well by means of the surface tension. Discharge of the substance happens upon application of an external force to the substance
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to a fluid delivery device. The fluid delivery device comprises at least one area onto which at least one support element including at least one well may be placed in a defined position. The fluid delivery device further comprises at least one pipetting device, said at least one pipetting device including a connector to releasably connect said at least one pipetting device with a disposable tip as well as a fluid displacement element which allows the aspiration and ejection of a defined volume of liquid to or from said disposable tip. The at least one pipetting element is movable in a vertical and preferably in at least one horizontal direction. Further, the fluid delivery device comprises a blowing element with at least one aperture coupled to a source of pressurized gas, said at least one blowing element being movable in a vertical and preferably at least one horizontal direction. Further, the application relates to a system comprising a fluid deliver device as well as at least one support element.