Liquid Handling Device with Variable Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid handling devices are inadequate for performing precise liquid handling operations required in point-of-care diagnostic tests, particularly in integrating multiple reagents and controlling volumes and mixing times for immunoassays, which limits their automation and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A liquid handling device with a main chamber, sample chamber, measurement chambers, and reagent chambers, utilizing a variable pressure source and conduit valves to control the transfer and mixing of samples and reagents, allowing for precise volume control and residence time, enabling multiple measurements and diagnostic tests with shared reagents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional microfluidic devices are used for liquid handling, then device simplicity is maintained, but precise control of volume and residence time cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into functionally independent modules: sample chamber, main chamber, multiple measurement chambers, and reagent chambers. Each chamber can be independently controlled through dedicated conduits and valves, enabling precise volume control and residence time management without requiring complex integrated microfluidic channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamically controllable conduits with valves that can open and close to regulate fluid flow between chambers. This dynamic control allows precise adjustment of sample volume transferred to the main chamber and control of residence time, achieving manufacturing precision through active control rather than fixed microfluidic structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple reagents and measurements are integrated into a single device, then diagnostic capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The main chamber serves as a universal mixing and holding chamber that can accommodate multiple different reagents from separate reagent chambers. The measurement chambers can perform different diagnostic measurements on the same sample-reagent mixture. This multi-functional design enables versatile diagnostic testing without requiring completely separate devices for each test type.
Solution Approach 2:
The main chamber acts as an intermediary hub that receives samples from the sample chamber and reagents from multiple reagent chambers, mixing them before distributing to measurement chambers. This intermediary structure simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a central coordination point, reducing the complexity of direct connections between all components.
3Productivity
If automated liquid handling is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs pressure differential control where the variable pressure source creates pressure differences that automatically drive fluid flow between chambers. The valves respond to pressure changes to open or close conduits, enabling automated liquid handling through pressure-controlled self-regulation rather than requiring complex external actuation systems for each valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a variable pressure source connected to the main chamber to control fluid movement throughout the device. By adjusting pressure, samples and reagents are automatically transferred between chambers without mechanical pumps or complex valve actuation mechanisms. This pneumatic control system simplifies the automation architecture while maintaining high productivity.
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 precise control of sample and reagent transfer and mixing, facilitating complex diagnostic tests with reduced need for manual intervention, enhancing the automation and efficiency of point-of-care diagnostic systems.
Implementation Method 1
a variable pressure source conduit (110) for connecting the main chamber (102) to a variable pressure source (108)
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a liquid handling device, methods of operating a liquid handling device, a method of performing a diagnostic test, a computer program and a system. In one aspect, a liquid handling device may comprise a main chamber; a sample chamber for receiving a sample, such as a saliva, blood or urine sample; one or more measurement chambers for performing measurements on the sample; a variable pressure source conduit for connecting the main chamber to a variable pressure source; a sample chamber conduit which fluidically connects the sample chamber to the main chamber; a sample chamber conduit valve for opening and closing the sample chamber conduit; a respective measurement chamber conduit for each measurement chamber, wherein each respective measurement chamber conduit fluidically connects the respective measurement chamber to the main chamber; and a respective measurement chamber conduit valve for opening and closing each respective measurement chamber conduit.