Automated Membrane Washing Apparatus with Gravity-Driven Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual membrane washing in analytical techniques such as western blots is time-consuming, diverting scientists' attention from other critical tasks.
Innovation Solution
An automated membrane washing apparatus comprising a waste compartment, a membrane compartment, and a wash buffer reservoir, where the membrane compartment and wash buffer reservoir are connected through apertures to control the flow of wash buffer solution, allowing for automated washing with minimal human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual membrane washing is performed, then washing can be completed, but it is time-consuming and diverts scientists' attention from other critical tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is designed to perform membrane washing automatically without requiring continuous human intervention. The system self-regulates the washing process by controlling buffer flow through apertures, maintaining washing solutions in the membrane compartment, and draining waste automatically, thereby freeing scientists from manual washing tasks while ensuring consistent and efficient membrane washing.
2Productivity
If automated washing apparatus is used, then time is saved and productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The washing apparatus is divided into distinct functional compartments: a membrane compartment for holding membranes, a wash buffer reservoir for storing washing solutions, and a waste compartment for collecting waste. Each compartment has specific apertures (reservoir aperture in the membrane compartment, drain aperture in the waste compartment) that control fluid flow independently. This segmentation allows the system to achieve automation through simple, modular components rather than a complex integrated mechanism.
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 apparatus reduces the time spent on membrane washing, allowing scientists to focus on other tasks while ensuring efficient and consistent washing of membranes over a period of 15 to 30 minutes with controlled flow rates and detergent solutions.
Implementation Method 1
cause at least some wash buffer solution in the wash buffer reservoir to flow through a wash buffer reservoir outlet aperture into the membrane compartment
Implementation Method 2
cause at least some wash buffer solution in the membrane compartment to flow through a membrane compartment outlet aperture to the waste compartment
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes an apparatus including a waste compartment, a membrane compartment on the waste compartment, and a wash buffer reservoir on the membrane compartment. The membrane compartment includes a membrane compartment outlet aperture and is configured to hold at least one membrane, and the membrane compartment outlet aperture fluidly connects the membrane compartment and the waste compartment. The wash buffer reservoir comprises a wash buffer reservoir outlet aperture, and the wash buffer reservoir outlet aperture fluidly connects the wash buffer reservoir and the membrane compartment. The apparatus may be used to wash membranes used in analytic techniques, such as membranes for gel electrophoresis.