Modular Chromatography Assembly for Flexible Fluidics Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated chromatography systems often lack flexibility and adaptability, leading to inconsistencies and high costs in equipment, labor, and training, as they struggle to accommodate the diverse purification needs of various biological species.
Innovation Solution
A modular automated chromatography system with interchangeable modules, each equipped with fluid manipulation components and microcontrollers, and a software platform that allows users to configure and operate fluidics schemes easily, enabling a wide range of separation media and fluid transfer components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If automated chromatography systems are designed to accommodate diverse purification needs of various biological species, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into discrete, interchangeable modules each dedicated to specific purification protocols for different biological species. Each module contains specialized components (columns, buffers, flow paths) optimized for particular applications, allowing the system to accommodate diverse purification needs without increasing overall complexity - users simply swap modules rather than reconfigure entire systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular architecture creates a universal platform where a single base system can perform multiple purification functions through interchangeable modules. The standardized interfaces and control system allow one chromatography system to handle various biological species (proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, monoclonal antibodies) by simply changing modules, eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment for each application.
2Adaptability or versatility
If systems are designed with high flexibility and adaptability for various protocols, then versatility is improved, but consistency and accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into protocol-specific modules, each module maintains optimized, consistent performance for its designated application. The physical separation ensures that protocol-specific parameters (flow rates, buffer compositions, column configurations) remain fixed and consistent within each module, while versatility is achieved through module interchangeability rather than internal reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses standardized module interfaces and control protocols that can be replicated across different modules. This standardization ensures consistent data acquisition, processing, and analysis methods are applied regardless of which module is active, maintaining accuracy and reliability across diverse applications.
3Manufacturing precision
If systems accommodate various protocols with requisite accuracy, then purification quality is improved, but costs in equipment, labor, and training increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal chromatography system with interchangeable modules replaces the need for multiple separate specialized systems. This consolidates equipment costs while maintaining high purification accuracy through protocol-optimized modules. The standardized control system and user interface reduce training requirements compared to operating multiple different systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed so that modules can be easily swapped between uses, and the base system infrastructure (pumps, detectors, control electronics) is recovered and reused across different purification applications. This maximizes the utilization of expensive components while only the consumable modules (columns, buffers) are replaced, reducing overall operational costs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If systems are designed to be easily reconfigured for different species, then adaptability is improved, but operational complexity and error potential increase
Solution Approach 1:
Reconfiguration is simplified to a single modular swap operation rather than complex multi-step adjustments. Each module is pre-configured for its specific protocol, so changing species requirements reduces to replacing one module with another, minimizing user interaction and potential errors while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The modules are designed with self-identifying features and automated recognition systems that guide proper installation and configuration. The control system automatically detects which module is installed and loads the appropriate parameters and protocols, eliminating manual configuration steps and reducing operational complexity and error potential.
Data Source
AI summary
Valves, pumps, detectors, sample loops, fraction collectors and the like are individually incorporated into modules that are mountable at individual mounting sites on a base unit which also supports one or more chromatography columns. Each module includes fluid connections to other modules and a microcontroller joining the module to a computed and monitor through an electronic connector at each mounting site. The fluid connections between the modules and the column(s) are removed from the electronic connections and accessible to the user. A software platform may recognize the modules and their locations, coordinate fluid connections between the modules, and provide a variety of control, monitoring, data generating and data processing functions to generate chromatographic data. The software platform may also provide graphical tools for designing chromatographic methods from a library of phases.