Manifold Assembly With Etched Conduits For Tissue Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue processing systems face inefficiencies due to manual reagent handling, which is time-consuming, prone to errors, and requires clean-up, while automated systems struggle with reagent delivery accuracy, evaporation, and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A manifold assembly with etched fluid conduits in corrosion-resistant polymeric material, featuring individually controlled valves and heaters/cooler, allowing precise fluid management and independent temperature control for each tray, enabling efficient and accurate reagent delivery and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual pouring and draining reagents is used, then operator flexibility is maintained, but time consumption increases and accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the automated manifold assembly performs reagent delivery without requiring manual pouring or draining operations. The automated valves and fluid pathways allow the system to service itself, eliminating the need for operator intervention in reagent handling while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control.
2Device complexity
If manual pouring and draining reagents is used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated manifold assembly serves as an intermediary device between reagent sources and specimen trays. This intermediary system eliminates direct contact between operators and reagents, thereby reducing contamination risk while maintaining controlled and precise reagent delivery through automated fluid pathways and valves.
3Productivity
If automated reagent delivery systems are used, then productivity increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold assembly merges multiple fluid pathways and valve controls into a single integrated polymeric component. By combining reagent delivery channels, waste drainage pathways, and temperature control features into one unified structure, the system achieves automated high-speed processing without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
4Loss of time
If automated reagent delivery is used, then time efficiency improves, but reagent evaporation and contamination risks remain
Solution Approach 1:
The closed automated fluid pathways create a protected environment for reagent delivery. By eliminating open pouring and draining operations, the system prevents reagent exposure to atmospheric conditions that cause evaporation and contamination, thereby maintaining reagent integrity while achieving rapid automated delivery.
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 manifold assembly enhances the efficiency and accuracy of tissue processing by reducing manual handling errors, minimizing contamination and evaporation, and allowing for precise temperature control, thereby improving operational efficiency and test accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
fluid conduits are etched directly into the manifold... channels are machined into each piece of the manifold... When the pieces are joined together conduits are created with the channels facing each other such that fluid may traverse a length of the manifold
Implementation Method 2
the manifold is provided with a plurality of valves that are individually controlled... positions each of the valves in such a manner as to create a direct passageway from a supply bottle to a particular tray or from a particular tray to a desired waste bottle
Implementation Method 3
allowing precise fluid management and independent temperature control for each tray
Implementation Method 4
allowing precise fluid management and independent temperature control for each tray
Data Source
AI summary
A manifold assembly that directs fluid to and from individually selectable sample receiving trays of a tissue processing system includes a manifold, fluid conduits machined in the manifold, and valves that may be selectively configured to provide a direct fluid path to or from a particular tray. The valves are controlled by a controller that positions each valve such that a desired path is created. Pressure is created in supply and/or drain bottles to supply or drain fluid from the trays supported by the manifold assembly. Independently operated heaters are provided on the manifold assembly to heat the trays to desired temperatures. Thermoelectric cooling elements may also provided to cool the heaters and/or trays.