Deflectable Membrane Valve for Liquid Removal in Sample Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for isolating and purifying nucleic acid in biological samples, such as PCR testing, face challenges with liquid carryover due to the use of aspiration devices, which are costly and time-consuming to manage, especially when multiple samples are processed with a common aspiration probe.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pressurizing mechanism and a deflectable membrane valve that allows for the removal of liquid from a vessel without physical contact, using pressure to open and close a valve at the bottom of the vessel, preventing carryover by eliminating the need for aspiration devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common aspiration probe is used for multiple samples, then device complexity is reduced, but carryover contamination occurs and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the liquid removal function into separate components: a common pressurization device serves multiple vessels, but each vessel has its own dedicated valve. This segmentation allows the pressurization mechanism to be shared (reducing complexity) while each vessel maintains independent liquid control (preventing carryover and ensuring reliability).
Solution Approach 2:
The valve acts as an intermediary component between the common pressurization device and individual vessels. It mediates the liquid flow by opening only when its specific vessel needs liquid removal, preventing direct carryover between vessels while still allowing use of the common pressurization source.
2Reliability
If aspiration probe is changed for each sample, then carryover is eliminated, but time consumption and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurization device is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple vessels sequentially. A single pressurization device can operate on different vessels by activating their respective valves in sequence, eliminating the need for multiple aspiration devices while maintaining the ability to process multiple samples without carryover.
Solution Approach 2:
Each vessel is equipped with its own valve that autonomously controls liquid removal timing. The system enables self-service operation where each vessel's liquid is removed independently through its dedicated valve triggered by timing signals, eliminating manual probe changes and reducing operational time.
3Reliability
If aspiration probe is washed after each use, then carryover is reduced, but processing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the liquid removal function from the vessel interior to the vessel exterior through the bottom outlet valve. By removing liquid through the vessel bottom rather than aspirating from the top, the system eliminates the need for probe washing entirely, as the liquid path never contacts a shared component that could cause carryover.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces expensive and time-consuming probe washing procedures with a simpler, more efficient valve-based liquid removal mechanism. The disposable nature of the valve's single-use liquid path eliminates the need for repeated cleaning cycles, maintaining productivity while ensuring sample purity.
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
Effectively removes liquid from vessels without carryover, reducing operational costs and time by eliminating the need for frequent probe changes or wash processes, ensuring accurate transfer of solutions in PCR testing.
Implementation Method 1
A pressurizing device 160 is in communication with the liquid receiving space 30 for pressurizing the liquid 55 within the liquid receiving space 30
Implementation Method 2
A valve 54 is provided at the bottom end 22 of the vessel portion 14... The valve 54 includes a deflectable membrane 62
Data Source
AI summary
The sample preparation device includes a vessel, such as a sample tube, having a bottom end with a bottom opening. A valve for control of the flow of any liquid outwardly of the vessel through the bottom opening is located at the bottom end of the vessel. The valve includes a deflectable membrane positioned against the bottom opening to close the bottom opening when the valve is in its normally closed condition. The membrane is deflectable away from the bottom opening when the valve is in an open condition to permit any liquid in the vessel to flow through the bottom opening to an outlet port of the valve for dispensation into a suitable collection vessel.