Incubation Trough With Segmented Receiving Areas For Reagent Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical laboratory diagnostic test systems require significant amounts of expensive reagents, which are often difficult to obtain and use inefficiently, necessitating a minimization of reagent liquid usage to optimize processes and reduce costs.
Innovation Solution
An elongated incubation trough design with a depression that includes a first receiving area for a test strip and a second receiving area for a fluid line, where the width of the first receiving area is narrower than the second, allowing for minimized reagent liquid volume while maintaining efficient fluid exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the width of the first receiving area is increased to accommodate larger fluid lines, then fluid exchange efficiency is improved, but the overall reagent liquid volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The incubation channel has different widths in different regions: the first receiving area has a narrower width optimized for minimal reagent volume, while the second receiving area has a wider width optimized for fluid line accommodation and efficient fluid exchange. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by assigning different geometric properties to different functional zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The incubation channel is segmented into two distinct receiving areas with different width characteristics. The first receiving area (narrower) handles test strip incubation with minimal reagent, while the second receiving area (wider) handles fluid line operations. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
2Quantity of substance
If the width of the incubation channel is reduced to minimize reagent liquid volume, then reagent usage is optimized, but fluid line accommodation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the incubation channel have different width properties tailored to their specific functions. The first receiving area has a narrower width for reagent minimization, while the second receiving area has a wider width for fluid line compatibility. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between reagent volume optimization and fluid line accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel is divided into functional segments with distinct geometric characteristics. The narrower first receiving area optimizes reagent usage, while the wider second receiving area ensures compatibility with standard fluid lines and pumps, eliminating the need to alter fluid line dimensions.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an elongated incubation groove (IR) comprising a recess (V) open towards an upper side (OS) of the incubation groove (IR), which extends along a longitudinal direction of the incubation groove (IR), and a bottom (B) which limits the recess (V) towards an underside (US) of the incubation groove (IR), wherein the recess (V) has a first receiving area (A1) for receiving an elongated test strip (T), the recess (V) further comprises a second receiving area (A2) for receiving an end section (EA) of a fluid line (FL), wherein the second receiving area (A2) is fluidically connected to the first receiving area (A1), and that furthermore a width (BR2) of the second receiving area (A2) at bottom level (BH) is greater than a width (BR1) of the first receiving area (A1) at bottom level (BH).