Parallel Washing Device for Immobilized Reactants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current analytical methods for detecting immobilized reaction partners in complex samples face inefficiencies due to manual washing steps, contamination risks, and resource-intensive processes, particularly when handling multiple samples in parallel, which reduces sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility.
Innovation Solution
A device with a trough and elevations that allows for parallel contact of immobilized reaction partners with different liquids, including washing solutions, using a pumping system to manage liquid flow and aspiration, ensuring minimal cross-contamination and efficient processing, while also incorporating an air nozzle for drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual washing steps are used for handling multiple samples, then operation flexibility is maintained, but contamination risk increases and processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the washing function into separate, dedicated washing stations (first washing station with first washing liquid, second washing station with second washing liquid) rather than using a single manual washing process. Each station processes samples independently with its own liquid reservoir and delivery system, preventing cross-contamination while enabling parallel processing of multiple samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces automated intermediary components including a pump system for controlled liquid delivery, a moving table for automated sample transport between stations, and a coverslip handling mechanism. These intermediaries replace manual operations, maintaining reliability through automation while improving productivity through continuous parallel processing.
2Productivity
If multiple samples are processed in parallel manually, then throughput increases, but resource consumption and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges multiple washing functions into a single integrated platform with shared infrastructure (moving table, pump system, control unit) while maintaining separate washing liquid reservoirs and delivery paths. This allows parallel processing of multiple samples through dedicated channels, increasing throughput without proportionally increasing resource consumption or contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
Each washing station is equipped with its own dedicated washing liquid reservoir and delivery system, ensuring that washing liquids for different samples remain spatially separated and do not mix. This local differentiation maintains sample integrity while enabling parallel processing, improving throughput without increasing cross-contamination risk.
3Measurement precision
If manual washing steps are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reproducibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs washing operations automatically through integrated pump systems that deliver washing liquids, moving tables that transport samples between stations, and coverslip handling mechanisms. The system serves itself by automating all washing steps without manual intervention, ensuring consistent, reproducible results while improving measurement precision through controlled, repeatable processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical washing operations with automated fluid delivery systems using pumps, automated sample transport using moving tables, and automated coverslip handling. This substitution of manual mechanical operations with controlled mechanical systems improves measurement precision and reproducibility while justifying the increased device complexity through performance gains.
4Reliability
If separate washing stations with different washing liquids are used, then contamination risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a universal moving table and pump system that serves all washing stations, reducing redundant components. The same mechanical infrastructure (moving table for sample transport, pump system for liquid delivery) is used across multiple washing stations with different washing liquids, achieving contamination control through functional separation while minimizing overall device complexity through component sharing.
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
This approach enables efficient, parallel processing of multiple samples with reduced resource consumption and contamination risks, enhancing sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility in analytical detection methods.
Implementation Method 1
the channel is fed via a feed element by means of a pump device from at least one liquid reservoir containing the at least one liquid
Implementation Method 2
a holding device configured to detachably hold at least one slide, preferably a plurality of slides, having at least one adhesion surface with the immobilized reaction partner
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for bringing an immobilised reactant into contact with at least one fluid, said device comprising: a basin having a bottom surface from which an upper side of at least one elevated portion projects into the interior of the basin, and said at least one elevated portion having a channel running, preferably perpendicular to the bottom surface of the basin, from the bottom surface of the basin to the upper side of the portion, and leading into at least one outlet opening on the upper side of the elevated portion, wherein the channel is fed from at least one fluid reservoir via a supply element by means of a pump device, said reservoir containing the at least one fluid; a holding device designed to detachably hold at least one object carrier, preferably a plurality of object carriers, having at least one surface of adhesion to the immobilised reactant, in such a way that the adhesion surface is facing the interior of the basin, and the upper side of the elevated portion and the adhesion surface are positioned relative to one another in such a way that fluid exiting the outlet opening comes into contact with the immobilised reactant; and optionally an object carrier introduced into the holding device. The invention also relates to a method for bringing an immobilised reactant into contact with at least one fluid, comprising the following steps: immobilising the reactant on the adhesion surface of at least one object carrier suitable for introduction into the holding device of the device according to the invention; (provided that the preceding steps were carried out outside of the device according to the invention) introducing the object carrier into the holding device of the device according to the invention, preferably via a transport device in the device according to the invention; introducing the at least one fluid via the supply element in the direction of the outlet opening, until the at least one fluid comes into contact with the immobilised reactant.