Induction Heating for Aspiration Probe Carryover Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical diagnostic equipment faces challenges in reducing biological carryover due to reused probes, which can lead to cross-contamination and inaccurate analysis, and existing methods like electrostatic induction are inefficient and risky, failing to provide localized heating and sufficient cleaning.

Innovation Solution

The use of electromagnetic induction heating to denature proteins and biological entities on the surfaces of aspiration and dispense devices, allowing for localized and efficient cleaning without the need for extensive washing or single-use probes, using a metallic coil to generate a high-frequency current that heats the device and deactivates biological matter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If probes are replaced to prevent cross-contamination, then biological carryover is reduced, but waste increases and operation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiological carryover reductionVSAvoidprobe waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The probe is recovered and reused after undergoing induction heating treatment to denature and remove biological carryover, eliminating the need to discard the probe after single use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical/chemical washing process is replaced by electromagnetic induction heating, which uses electromagnetic fields to generate heat and denature proteins, providing a more effective and efficient cleaning method

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If electrostatic induction is used to heat probes, then heating is achieved, but the method is inefficient and risky with no localized heating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobe heatingVSAvoidheating efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The induction heating system provides localized heating to specific areas of the probe where biological carryover is present, rather than heating the entire probe uniformly, improving energy efficiency and reducing energy loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Electrostatic induction is replaced with electromagnetic induction heating, which uses electromagnetic fields to generate heat directly in the probe material, providing more efficient and controllable heating

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If probes are reused without cleaning, then operation costs are reduced, but cross-contamination occurs and analysis accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation cost efficiencyVSAvoidanalysis accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The probe undergoes induction heating treatment before reuse to pre-denature and remove biological carryover, ensuring that the probe is clean and safe for the next sample analysis, thereby maintaining analysis accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional mechanical cleaning methods are replaced by electromagnetic induction heating, which provides a more effective and rapid cleaning process that maintains probe sterility and analysis accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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

This method effectively reduces biological carryover by denaturing proteins and other biological entities, allowing for the reuse of probes while minimizing waste and operation costs, and ensuring accurate analysis by preventing cross-contamination without the risks associated with electrostatic induction.

Implementation Method 1

generating an alternating electromagnetic field and introducing an aspiration and/or dispense device into the electromagnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

inductively heating the aspiration and/or dispense device with the electromagnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEddy currents: Eddy Currents

Implementation Method 3

inductively heating the aspiration and/or dispense device with the electromagnetic field to at least one of denature or deactivate at least one of a protein or a biological entity on a surface of the aspiration and/or dispense device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDenaturation:

Data Source

PatentUS12115266B2Methods and apparatus to reduce biological carryover using induction heating

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 ABBOTT LAB INC

AI summary

Methods and apparatus to reduce biological carryover using induction heating are disclosed herein. An example method includes washing an aspiration and dispense device. The example method includes generating an alternating electromagnetic field and introducing the aspiration and dispense device into the alternating electromagnetic field. The example method includes inductively heating the aspiration and dispense device with the alternating electromagnetic field. In the example method, the washing is to occur in concert with the heating.