Movable Drawer Biological Sample Device for Evaporation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biological sample preparation and treatment devices face challenges with complex protocols, contamination issues, and miniaturization limitations, including difficulty in handling small sizes, reagent evaporation, and assembly complexity, which affect their cost-effectiveness and performance.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a reaction support with multiple chambers and a movable drawer, featuring internal and external pipes for fluidic communication, and control means to manage fluid exchange and separation, allowing for precise manipulation and incubation of biological samples, including magnetic separation and hybridization processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If single-use hermetic devices with integrated reagents are used, then contamination between tests is reduced, but reagent evaporation occurs due to poor barrier properties of basic plastic materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining basic plastic materials (polyolefins) with suitable treatments or coatings to enhance barrier properties. This allows the device to maintain both the cost-effectiveness of basic plastics and the evaporation resistance needed for small reagent volumes during high incubations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical or chemical parameters of the plastic materials through treatment processes that improve their barrier properties against evaporation while maintaining their basic functionality and cost-effectiveness.
2Quantity of substance
If miniaturized devices are used to reduce reagent volumes, then cost is reduced, but handling and assembly become difficult due to small sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device into modular components that can be easily assembled and handled despite the overall miniaturization. This allows reduction of reagent volumes while maintaining ease of operation through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary elements or features that facilitate handling and assembly of the miniaturized device, making the small components easier to manipulate without requiring specialized skills or tools.
3Measurement precision
If complex mechanical means are used to displace the pipette in three dimensions, then precision is improved, but device complexity and transport difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical means for pipette displacement with alternative systems such as automated robotic arms or simplified mechanical structures that achieve the required precision with reduced complexity and improved transportability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the pipette displacement system to serve multiple functions while maintaining precision, reducing the need for separate complex mechanisms for each function.
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 device enables efficient preparation, treatment, and analysis of biological samples by facilitating complex protocols, reducing contamination, and improving handling and assembly, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and performance, particularly in molecular biology applications.
Implementation Method 1
The drawer (4) is translatable with respect to the support (3) on guided ways (23)
Implementation Method 2
The seal (12, 22, 32) is made of an elastic material such as silicone or butyl rubber
Implementation Method 3
The device (1) further comprises a magnet (26) situated in the vicinity of, preferably under, the chip (15)
Implementation Method 4
The device (1) further comprises a source of heat (17) applicable to at least one of the chambers (5, 6)
Implementation Method 5
The introduction of air at the control means (12, 22, 32) creates a back-and-forth movement with the introduction of liquid
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for preparation and/or treatment of a biological sample comprising a set of storage chambers and/or reaction chambers intended for receiving a fluid, the chambers being separated by walls so as to constitute a set of adjacent chambers. It also relates to an analysis apparatus capable of using such a device and also a method of using this device.The device comprises a base and a drawer comprising the set of adjacent chambers, the drawer being movable relative to the base, the drawer comprising a contact surface on which emerge first means for placing in fluidic communication linked to the volume of at least one chamber, the contact surface of the drawer being intended to be positioned facing a contact surface of the base comprising at least one position at which there are arranged second fluidic communication means linked to detection means.The invention has a preferred application in the field of medical diagnosis.