Magnetic Sample Carrier Positioning for Optical Measurement Wells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods struggle to ensure accurate placement and conveyance of solid or liquid sample pieces into sample wells, particularly in optical measurements, where floating samples can interfere with analysis.

Innovation Solution

A device and method utilizing a solid sample carrier with magnetically amplifying particles and a magnetic field to guide and secure sample pieces into position within sample wells, ensuring correct placement and minimizing interference during optical measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional cutting instruments are used to detach sample pieces from solid sample carriers, then sample pieces can be obtained, but accurate placement and conveyance of sample pieces into sample wells cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement precisionVSAvoidconveyance control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A magnetic field is introduced as an intermediary force to control the movement and positioning of sample pieces. The magnetic field acts as a mediator between the conveying mechanism and the sample pieces, enabling precise placement without complex mechanical positioning systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical positioning and conveyance systems with a magnetic field-based control system. This substitution simplifies the conveying mechanism while maintaining or improving placement precision through magnetic manipulation of the sample pieces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If sample pieces are placed in sample wells for optical measurements, then analysis can be performed, but floating samples interfere with measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical measurement accuracyVSAvoidsample floating interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A magnetic field is introduced as an intermediary force to control the position of sample pieces within the sample well. The magnetic field acts as a mediator to counteract buoyancy forces and keep the sample pieces at the desired position, preventing floating interference during optical measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state or properties of the sample pieces by introducing magnetic characteristics. By making the sample pieces magnetically responsive, their position can be controlled through magnetic field application, transforming them from floating objects to magnetically positioned samples suitable for accurate optical measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If liquid sample carrier is used to carry biological material, then sample can be transported, but accurate conveyance to right sample wells cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyance accuracyVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A magnetic field is introduced as an intermediary to guide liquid sample carrier containing magnetic particles to the correct sample well. The magnetic field serves as a mediator that provides directional control and positioning accuracy without complicating the operation, as the magnetic guidance can be implemented through simple field application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning systems for liquid sample conveyance with a magnetic field-based guidance system. This substitution maintains ease of operation while improving conveyance accuracy, as magnetic guidance can be implemented through straightforward field control rather than complex mechanical mechanisms.

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

Ensures precise positioning and conveyance of sample pieces, reducing interference and enhancing the accuracy of optical measurements by using magnetically amplified particles and controlled magnetic fields.

Implementation Method 1

magnetizing equipment arranged to produce a magnetic field in the vicinity of one of a bottom of the sample well or a side wall of the sample well so that the magnetic field is capable of drawing the piece of the solid sample carrier to the bottom of the sample well

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

said piece of the solid sample carrier comprises magnetically amplifying particles having a relative magnetic permeability constant greater than one

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic amplification: Magnetic Amplifier

Data Source

PatentEP3859301B1A device and a method for managing a sample to be analyzed and a solid sample carrier and liquid sample carrier
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 WALLAC
  • EP3859301B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP3859301B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3
  • EP3859301B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A device for managing a sample to be analyzed comprises magnetizing equipment (302) for producing magnetic field capable of interacting, when the sample is moving to or located in a sample well, with magnetically amplifying material attached to the sample, where the magnetically amplifying material has relative magnetic permeability constant greater than one. With the aid of the magnetizing element the movement of the sample to the sample well and/or the position of the sample in the sample well can be monitored and/or controlled. The device can be, for example but not necessarily, an instrument for dispensing samples to sample wells or an optical measurement instrument.