Nucleic Acid Analyzer Tip Rack Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current automated analytical systems face challenges in preventing contamination of biological samples due to external and internal sources, such as contaminated air and cross-contamination between samples, which can lead to false positive test results.

Innovation Solution

The development of an automated nucleic acid analyzer with a tip rack system that includes separate chambers for different types of pipette tips, featuring contamination protection mechanisms to prevent droplet and aerosol contamination, and a handling system that uses form-locking interactions to securely transport and position consumables within the analyzer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate chambers for different pipette tip types are implemented, then contamination between tips is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidchamber separation structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tip rack is divided into separate chambers (first chamber for first type of tips, second chamber for second type of tips) that are physically separated by a partition wall. This segmentation prevents droplets and aerosols from crossing between chambers, thereby reducing contamination risk while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the tip rack are designed with different local qualities - the first chamber and second chamber are separated by a partition wall with specific properties (porosity, material composition) that allow each chamber to function independently while maintaining appropriate protection levels for different tip types based on their contamination risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If form-locking interactions are used for secure transport, then handling reliability is improved, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling securityVSAvoidconsumable loading

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The form-locking interaction mechanism is pre-configured in both the handler and the consumable holder. The locking features are designed in advance to automatically engage when the consumable is placed in the correct position, eliminating the need for manual locking operations while ensuring secure transport during automated handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If spatial separation of cells is implemented, then contamination from contaminated air is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairborne contaminationVSAvoidspatial separation structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The analyzer is divided into spatially separated first cell and second cell, each handling different types of consumables and processes. This physical separation prevents contaminated air from one cell from affecting the other cell, reducing airborne contamination risk while maintaining a manageable system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2333559B1Nucleic acid analysis method and automated nucleic acid analyzer with spatial separation

Publication Date: 2021.01.27 ROCHE DIAGNOSTICS GMBH

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AI summary

An automated nucleic acid analysis method and analytical system are described comprising separate modules, wherein the air flow of any one of said modules is controlled and wherein at least the air flow between the module for isolation and purification of the analyte and the module for analysis of the analyte are separated.