Liquid Handling Probe with Polymer Core for Carryover Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automated analyzers face issues with carryover and contamination during liquid handling, leading to inaccurate assay results due to design flaws and material interactions, which existing solutions like disposable tips and rigorous washing procedures complicate and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A liquid handling probe with a conductive polymer core and rigid sheath, integrated with a liquid level sensing mechanism and a shock-absorbing mount, minimizes exposure and interaction with samples, reducing carryover through precise positioning and collision detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If disposable tips are used to handle fluids, then carryover is minimized, but cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fluid-contacting portion of the probe (the tip) as a separate, replaceable component. This allows the tip to be easily removed and replaced without disposing of the entire probe assembly, thereby reducing carryover while avoiding the full complexity and cost of disposable tips. The separable design maintains low carryover benefits while simplifying the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding entire disposable tips, the patent enables selective replacement only of the contaminated tip portion. The main probe body is retained and reused, recovering the majority of the probe's value and complexity while still eliminating carryover through tip replacement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If rigorous washing procedures are implemented, then carryover is reduced, but system throughput is impacted and additional complexity is added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by replacing the probe tip before contamination can significantly impact subsequent measurements. Rather than washing after contamination occurs, the tip is proactively replaced to prevent carryover, eliminating the need for time-consuming washing procedures and maintaining system throughput.
3Strength
If the liquid handling probe is made more robust to avoid collisions, then damage from collisions is reduced, but the probe's ability to access tight spaces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the probe into a robust main body and a separate, replaceable tip portion. The main body can be designed for strength and collision resistance, while the tip can be designed for accessibility and fluid handling precision. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If frequent probe replacement is performed, then carryover is minimized, but time is lost and system throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting only the necessary fluid-contacting portion (tip) as a separate replaceable component, the patent enables rapid replacement of only the contaminated portion rather than the entire probe. This minimizes replacement time while still effectively preventing carryover.
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
The solution effectively reduces carryover and contamination, enhancing assay sensitivity and system throughput while simplifying probe replacement and reducing damage from collisions.
Implementation Method 1
The polymer core is conductive so that the extended portion can act as part of a liquid level sensor
Implementation Method 2
distortion of the pliant member reduces force generated between the object and the liquid handling probe during the collision
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Provided herein is a carryover-reducing liquid handling probe for an analytical system, incorporating a rigid sheath and a polymer core that extends from the sheath to act as the fluid contact surface.