Modular Shaking Block With Magnetic Separation for Well Plate Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated liquid handling systems require separate devices for thermal shakers and magnetic separation, increasing costs and complexity, and existing separation methods using magnetic particles have low efficiency in suspending target substances.
Innovation Solution
A small, modular shaking block that can be mounted on the deck of an automated liquid handling system, incorporating a rotary motor, bearing, and elastic fasteners to transmit orbital rotational force, and a detachable module for mixing, separation, cooling, or heating, integrated with a magnetic separation device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate devices for thermal shakers and magnetic separation are used, then functional completeness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines thermal shaker functionality and magnetic separation functionality into a single integrated device. The shaking block housing contains both the rotary motor for thermal shaking and the magnetic plate for magnetic separation, allowing both functions to be performed simultaneously in one device, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining functional completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device serves multiple functions: thermal shaking, magnetic separation, and heating/cooling operations can all be performed by the same device. The magnetic plate can be positioned to apply magnetic fields for separation while the rotary motor simultaneously provides orbital shaking motion, and temperature control is integrated through the same housing structure.
2Reliability
If existing magnetic particle separation methods are used, then target substance separation is achieved, but suspension efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs orbital shaking motion generated by the rotary motor to create mechanical vibration and movement. This orbital motion enhances the suspension efficiency of magnetic particles and target substances by preventing aggregation and promoting uniform distribution, while the magnetic field simultaneously maintains separation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the magnetic field strength and orbital shaking motion parameters. The magnetic plate can be positioned at different heights and the rotary motor can operate at variable speeds, allowing the system to adapt to different sample viscosities and particle sizes to optimize both suspension efficiency and separation effectiveness.
3Ease of repair
If modular detachable design is implemented, then ease of maintenance is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components including a removable magnetic plate, detachable shaking block housing, and separable temperature control units. Each module can be independently removed, cleaned, and maintained, facilitating ease of repair while the standardized connection interfaces minimize the increase in structural complexity.
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 solution provides a compact, cost-effective, and efficient integrated magnetic separation device capable of being mounted on a general-purpose liquid handling system, enhancing automation in bio and molecular biology experiments.
Implementation Method 1
the shaking block transmits a rotational force through a bearing coupling portion so that the upper block performs orbital motion
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic field may be applied to agglomerate the magnetic particles to which a target substance is attached
Implementation Method 3
the casing and the housing are vertically spaced apart from each other and are directly connected only by the bearing coupling portion and the plurality of elastic fasteners, and the plurality of elastic fasteners fasten the casing and the housing so that relative positions thereof are variable by a predetermined deviation
Data Source
AI summary
A separator device for separating a target substance bonded to magnetic particles from a sample comprises: a magnetic block including a magnetic plate, a vertical movement device for controlling the vertical position of the magnet plate by vertically transferring the magnet plate, and a casing for accommodating the vertical movement device and the magnet plate; and a shaking block coupled to the lower portion of the magnetic block so as to transmit rotational force, and thus the magnetic block performs a horizontal orbital motion, wherein a loading portion in which a well plate is to be horizontally loaded is formed at the upper end of the magnetic block, and the magnetic block and the shaking block are vertically coupled to be an integrated single device.