Multi-Plane Reagent Storage for Analyzer Footprint Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic analysis appliances require a large surface area for storing reagent containers, leading to increased floor space and footprint in laboratories, limiting the number of reagents that can be stored without corresponding expansions.
Innovation Solution
Reagent containers are stored on multiple vertically stacked planes, allowing access from above via a pipetting needle or charging unit, using rotatable or displacable wheels to maintain a constant surface area while increasing the number of reagent containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If reagent containers are stored on a single plane in automatic analyzers, then the access structure is simple, but the floor space required increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-plane (2D) storage arrangement to a multi-plane (3D) stacked configuration. Multiple storage planes are arranged vertically above one another, allowing reagent containers to be accessed from above through cutouts. This dimensional change enables significantly more reagents to be stored in the same floor space without proportionally increasing the analyzer's footprint.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple storage planes are stacked vertically, then the number of reagent containers increases, but the complexity of accessing containers on lower planes increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each storage plane is segmented with cutouts at specific positions, allowing the pipetting device to access reagent containers on any plane independently. The cutouts are arranged such that the pipetting needle can reach through from above to access containers on lower planes without interference from upper planes, maintaining operational simplicity despite the multi-plane configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If rotatable wheels are used for storage planes, then flexibility in accessing containers is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable wheels serve multiple functions: they store reagent containers, enable rotational positioning for access, and can be configured with cutouts at various positions. This multi-functionality provides flexibility in accessing containers on different planes without requiring separate mechanisms for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for storing reagent containers on several planes for an automatic analysis appliance comprises a pipetting device comprising a pipetting needle for pipetting of reagents, a first device comprising a plurality of first receiving positions for reagent containers, wherein the first receiving positions are arranged on a first plane, and a second device comprising a plurality of second receiving positions for reagent containers, wherein the second receiving positions are arranged on a second plane.