Automated Immunoassay Analyzer Magnetic Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automated clinical analyzers face challenges such as high sample and reagent volumes, generation of waste, high costs, and inflexible assay scheduling protocols, along with difficulties in integrating magnetic separation with clinical chemistry assays due to the need for external magnets, washing mechanisms, and instantaneous reagent dispensing.
Innovation Solution
An automated immunoassay analyzer that integrates magnetic separation with incubation capabilities, automated loading and unloading of micro-well plates and tip combs, and radio frequency identification tag reading, utilizing a modified KingFisher magnetic particle processor with resistive temperature detection and heater pads for temperature management, and a XYZ aspirating/dispensing device for efficient liquid handling and assay protocol flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If magnetic separation is integrated with incubation capability, then versatility of the analyzer is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines magnetic separation functionality with incubation capability into a single integrated module. The magnetic particle processor includes both magnetic rods for separation and a temperature-controlled environment for incubation, allowing these two functions to be performed in the same physical space without requiring separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic particle processor is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform magnetic separation, incubation, mixing, and washing operations. This universal design allows a single device to handle multiple assay steps that would traditionally require different specialized equipment.
2Ease of operation
If automated loading and unloading of micro-well plates is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates an automated loading mechanism that allows micro-well plates and tip combs to be automatically inserted into the magnetic particle processor without manual intervention. The device self-manages the loading process through coordinated movement of trays and positioning mechanisms.
3Reliability
If radio frequency identification tag reading is added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system includes an antenna that reads radio frequency identification tags on micro-well plates to verify proper loading and tracking. This feedback mechanism ensures that the correct plates are loaded and provides automated verification, reducing errors and improving reliability.
4Productivity
If magnetic separation subsystem is integrated with clinical chemistry analyzers, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic separation subsystem is designed as a modular, self-contained unit that can be integrated with clinical chemistry analyzers. The segmentation allows the magnetic particle processor to function as an independent module while maintaining interfaces for coordination with the main analyzer system.
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 solution enables more efficient and versatile immunoassay processing by combining magnetic separation, mixing, and washing functions with incubation, reducing complexity and waste generation, and allowing for flexible assay protocols and chain of custody tracking, resulting in smaller, more reliable analyzers.
Implementation Method 1
heater pads for heating the contents of the micro-wells of a micro-well plate
Implementation Method 2
magnetic separation of solid magnetic substrate from the liquid contents of a reaction vessel
Implementation Method 3
resistive temperature detector for sensing the temperature of the magnetic particle processor
Data Source
AI summary
A component of a laboratory automation system that integrates (a) separating a solid magnetic substrate from the liquid contents of a reaction vessel, (b) management of the thermal characteristics of the component of the laboratory automation system, (c) automated loading of multi-well plates and tip combs into the component of the laboratory automation system, (d) automated unloading of multi-well plates and tip combs from the component of the laboratory automation system, and (e) reading of radio frequency identification tags attached to multi-well plates.