Multiwell Plate Reagent Drying With Hole-Distributed Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for drying reagents in multiwell plates are inefficient, leading to prolonged drying times and potential damage to reagents, especially when manufacturing cartridges for analyte detection, which are required for direct-to-consumer diagnostics.
Innovation Solution
A multiwell plate design with a cover featuring aligned holes over the wells, combined with controlled airflow using inert dry gas, allows for rapid drying of reagents without splashing or damage, by employing a combination of spraying air down and controlling exhaust airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air is sprayed directly down over the wells to dry reagents, then drying speed increases, but reagents splash and are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
A cover with holes is introduced as an intermediary component between the air spray source and the reagents. The cover filters and distributes the air flow through multiple small holes, transforming the harmful direct impact into beneficial gentle airflow that dries reagents without causing splashing or damage
2Object-affected harmful factors
If laminar air flow is used over the wells, then reagents are not damaged, but drying time becomes too long
Solution Approach 1:
The cover design creates localized turbulent airflow zones above each well through the hole arrangement, concentrating drying action where needed while maintaining overall gentle flow patterns. This local quality enhancement speeds up drying without causing widespread reagent damage
3Productivity
If gas flow is increased to speed drying, then drying rate improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drying system is segmented into simple, modular components: a cover with strategically positioned holes and basic air spray/exhaust systems. This segmentation allows high drying rates to be achieved through clever design rather than complex high-power systems, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining productivity
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 method enables rapid and stable drying of reagents, maintaining their functionality, which is crucial for accurate and cost-effective analyte detection in cartridges used for direct-to-consumer diagnostics.
Implementation Method 1
drying reagents in a stable format so that they do not lose their functionality or performance
Implementation Method 2
drying reagents by spraying air down over the cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a device for multianalyte detection, and systems and methods for drying reagents in wells in the device in a manner that preserves functional performance. Specifically, disclosed is a system for drying reagents in the wells of a multiwell plate. The multiwell plate is sprayed with air from nozzles positioned above the multiwell plate. Air is exhausted evenly below the multiwell plate. This allows for the rapid, consistent drying of large volumes of liquid in the well of a multiwell plate.