Fluid Retention Plates With Piercable Seals For Field Assays
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a system capable of performing fluid assays in field environments without conventional laboratory tools, requiring a portable and efficient solution for sample preparation, processing, and analysis using reagents, heat, and imaging.
Innovation Solution
The development of bulk fluid storage containers and analysis cartridges configured for use with printed circuit boards (PCBs), featuring a system with multiple reservoirs, fluid displacement mechanisms, and pierceable seals, allowing for preloading of reagents and sample handling, enabling fluid assays to be performed in a portable and efficient manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional laboratory tools are used for fluid assays, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and portability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components: a bulk fluid storage container with multiple reservoirs for different reagents, an analysis cartridge with assay surface, and a handheld device. This segmentation allows the complex assay functionality to be distributed across portable modules, maintaining measurement precision while improving overall system portability for field use
Solution Approach 2:
The analysis cartridge is inserted into the bulk fluid storage container, which itself is held by the handheld device. This nested arrangement integrates multiple functions (sample storage, reagent storage, assay processing) into a compact hierarchical structure, reducing device complexity while preserving assay accuracy
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple reagents are preloaded in separate reservoirs, then assay versatility and productivity are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The bulk fluid storage container is designed with a universal structure that can hold multiple different reagent types in separate reservoirs, all accessible through a single integrated system. The analysis cartridge provides a standardized assay surface that can accommodate various assay protocols, enabling one device to perform multiple different assays with different reagent combinations
Solution Approach 2:
Reagents are preloaded into the reservoirs before use, and the container is designed to maintain proper storage conditions. The system allows pre-preparation of assay components, so that when deployed in the field, the assay can proceed immediately without requiring complex on-site reagent preparation or mixing procedures
3Reliability
If pierceable seals are used to maintain fluid tightness, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The pierceable seals are pre-installed on the protrusions of the bulk fluid storage container before use. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the analysis cartridge is coupled to the container, the seals are already in position to maintain fluid tightness, and the coupling mechanism is designed to automatically engage the seals without requiring additional manual sealing steps
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 system enables complete fluid assays from sample preparation to analysis in a field setting, providing a portable and efficient solution for fluid assays by coupling fluid storage containers with analysis cartridges, ensuring reliable and precise fluid handling and processing.
Implementation Method 1
a piercing element associated with the protrusion extending from the first side of the second plate, where the piercing element is configured to extend through the pierceable seal when the protrusion on the second side of the first plate is mated with the protrusion extending from the first side of the second plate
Implementation Method 2
a fluid displacement mechanism in fluid communication with the first reservoir and the first channel
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid storage containers and analysis cartridges for use in assay processes are presented. In addition, systems comprising such storage containers and analysis cartridges and methods of using such containers and cartridges are presented as well. In specific embodiments, fluid storage containers are configured to be coupled to analysis cartridges in a first stage and a second stage.