Multi-Well Pipetting Element for Low-Carryover Reagent Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipetting solutions are unsuitable for multiplexed applications due to carryover issues, high reagent costs, and sensitivity to light and temperature, particularly in immunofluorescence staining, as they use excessive reagents and are not designed for efficient handling of expensive and sensitive reagents.
Innovation Solution
A pipetting element with multiple wells, each containing a distinct reagent, and a release mechanism triggered by the pipetting device, allowing precise control and minimizing carryover, with features like functional coatings and temperature/humidity control to protect reagents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard injection solutions are used in multiplexed applications, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but carryover occurs between injections due to reagents sticking to surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the injection process into separate disposable injection units, each containing its own reagent reservoir and delivery mechanism. This segmentation prevents carryover between different reagent injections, as each unit is used once and then discarded, eliminating the contamination issue while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs disposable injection units that are discarded after a single use. These inexpensive, single-use components eliminate carryover contamination between injections, making multiplexed applications reliable without compromising ease of operation. The disposable nature ensures each injection starts with a clean, contamination-free system.
2Device complexity
If standard injection solutions are used, then the device complexity is low, but the volume of staining solution required is excessive leading to high costs
Solution Approach 1:
The injection system is segmented into discrete, pre-filled units with optimized reagent volumes. Each disposable injection unit contains only the necessary amount of staining solution for its specific task, eliminating the excessive dead volume found in standard continuous-flow systems. This segmentation reduces overall reagent consumption while keeping the device relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the volume parameter of reagent delivery by using micro-volume disposable injection units instead of large-volume standard systems. This parameter change dramatically reduces the amount of expensive staining solution required per injection, lowering costs without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard injection solutions are used, then the system is straightforward to implement, but reagents are exposed to light and temperature variations causing degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments reagent storage into individual, isolated compartments within disposable injection units. Each unit can be independently packaged with appropriate light-blocking and temperature-stabilizing features, protecting sensitive reagents from degradation while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable injection units are designed to provide an inert, protected environment for reagent storage, shielding sensitive staining solutions from light and temperature variations. This protection is built into the unit structure itself, allowing easy manufacturing while preventing reagent degradation during storage and use.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipetting element for use with a pipetting device includes at least two wells arranged in or forming a frame. The frame is configured to be received by the pipetting device. Each respective well of the at least two wells is configured to receive a pipetting liquid and has a release portion arranged at one side of the respective well. The release portion is configured to be triggered by the pipetting device in order to release the pipetting liquid.