Immunoassay Apparatus Integrating Sample Dispensing and Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current immunoassay techniques require separate apparatus for pretreatment and measurement, limiting the ability to perform high-sensitivity immunoassays using the immune complex transfer method in a single apparatus.
Innovation Solution
An immunoassay apparatus that integrates sample dispensing, reagent dispensing, BF separation, and measurement capabilities, allowing for the dispensing of a sample and reagents into reaction containers, transferring immune complexes, and measuring signals based on labeled substances, thereby enabling high-sensitivity immunoassays within a single device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate apparatus are used for pretreatment and measurement, then the immune complex transfer method can be performed, but the device complexity increases and operation becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pretreatment apparatus and measurement apparatus into a single integrated immunoassay apparatus. The container supply part holds both first reaction containers for immune complex formation and second reaction containers for measurement, while the transfer part moves containers between different processing stations within one device, eliminating the need for separate apparatus and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated apparatus performs multiple functions: the sample dispenser part dispenses samples into first reaction containers, the reagent dispenser part adds reagents, the transfer part moves containers between stations, and the measurement part detects signals in second reaction containers. This multi-functional design allows one apparatus to replace what previously required separate devices.
2Reliability
If separate apparatus are used for pretreatment and measurement, then the immune complex transfer method can be performed, but the loss of time increases due to multiple handling steps
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer part enables continuous movement of reaction containers through different processing stages within a single apparatus. Containers are transferred from the container supply part to the sample dispenser part, then to the reagent dispenser part, and finally to the measurement part without requiring removal from the apparatus, maintaining continuous processing and reducing idle time.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning multiple reaction containers in the container supply part before the measurement process begins. This allows the system to prepare and process multiple samples in sequence without waiting for manual setup between measurements, reducing overall processing time.
3Reliability
If separate apparatus are used for pretreatment and measurement, then the immune complex transfer method can be performed, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging pretreatment and measurement functions into one apparatus, the operator only needs to load samples and reagents into a single device and initiate the process. The integrated system automatically handles container transfer between processing stations, eliminating the need for operators to manually move containers between separate apparatus and reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer part automatically moves reaction containers between the sample dispenser part, reagent dispenser part, and measurement part without operator intervention. This self-service mechanism simplifies operation by eliminating manual handling steps and allowing the apparatus to manage its own sample processing workflow.
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
Enables high-sensitivity immunoassays by separating and measuring immune complexes effectively, reducing noise levels and increasing sensitivity, while eliminating the need for separate pretreatment and measurement apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a BF separation part that performs separation processing for the immune complex in the first reaction container storing the dispensed first solid-phase reagent and separation processing for the immune complex in the second reaction container storing the dispensed second solid-phase reagent
Data Source
AI summary
An immunoassay apparatus may include: a sample dispenser part that dispenses a sample into a first reaction container; a reagent dispenser part that dispenses, into the first reaction container: a solid-phase reagent containing a solid-phase carrier; a labeled reagent; and a releasing reagent that releases, from the solid-phase carrier, an immune complex including a target substance and a labeled substance; a measurement part that measures a signal based on the labeled substance in the immune complex in a second reaction container; a container supply part that stores a plurality of reaction containers; a transfer part that transfers the first reaction container so that the sample dispenser part and the reagent dispenser part perform a dispensing operation to the first reaction container, and that transfers the second reaction container so that the immune complex dispended from the first reaction container is dispensed into the second container.