Integrated Sample Preparation Tray for Point-of-Care Analyzer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern biological laboratories often lack sufficient space for dedicated sample preparation areas, leading to contamination issues and inefficiencies in biological sample analysis.
Innovation Solution
The development of a point-of-care analyzer with an integrated sample preparation tray, which includes a housing with a cartridge slot for receiving biological samples and reagent holders for consumable reagents, addresses the space constraints and contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated sample preparation area is provided in the biological analysis device, then sample preparation efficiency and contamination control are improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sample preparation tray with the housing of the biological analysis device, integrating two previously separate functions (sample preparation and analysis) into a single unified structure. This merging eliminates the need for a separate dedicated preparation area while maintaining contamination control benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing of the biological analysis device is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the analysis unit and simultaneously houses an integrated sample preparation tray. This multi-functionality allows the device to perform both sample preparation and analysis without requiring additional dedicated space.
2Productivity
If a dedicated sample preparation area is provided in the biological analysis device, then workflow optimization is improved, but laboratory space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sample preparation function into the existing housing structure of the biological analysis device. By integrating the preparation tray within the housing, the device eliminates the need for separate preparation tables or dedicated preparation zones in the laboratory, thereby optimizing workflow without increasing laboratory space requirements.
3Ease of operation
If reagent holders are integrated into the sample preparation tray, then reagent accessibility and workflow efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates reagent holders directly into the sample preparation tray at specific locations where reagents are needed. This local integration provides convenient reagent accessibility exactly where it is required in the workflow, while adding complexity only to the specific areas where it provides operational benefit, rather than uniformly increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A point-of-care analyzer is provided including an analysis unit that receives a biological sample for analysis, the analysis unit including an interrogation device; a housing at least partially surrounding the analysis unit, the housing defining a cartridge slot for receiving a cartridge comprising the biological sample; and a tray on the housing, the tray comprising an upper surface for holding the cartridge and one or more reagent holders for holding a consumable reagent.