Disposable Piercing Cartridge for Electrowetting Sample Manipulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated systems for processing biological samples, particularly nucleic acids, are not fully automated from collection to final analysis, especially in small volumes, and are prone to cross-contamination due to reusable components, limiting high-throughput assays and being costly to produce.
Innovation Solution
A disposable cartridge with a polymer film and piercing elements for manipulating liquid droplets using an electrode array, allowing for single-use processing of samples and safe storage and release of reagents, separate from the electrode array to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If reusable components are used in automated sample processing systems, then system cost is reduced, but cross-contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate segments: a reusable electrode array and a disposable cartridge containing the sample chamber and polymer film. This segmentation allows the reusable component (electrode array) to be separated from the disposable component (cartridge), enabling cost-effective automation while preventing cross-contamination through single-use cartridges.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample processing chamber and polymer film are extracted from the reusable electrode array and placed into a separate disposable cartridge. This extraction removes the source of potential cross-contamination from the reusable system, allowing the electrode array to be reused without contamination risk.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If disposable cartridges are used for each sample, then cross-contamination is prevented, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements (sample chamber, reagent reservoirs, polymer film, and piercing mechanism) are merged into a single integrated disposable cartridge. This consolidation allows the entire sample processing system to be replaced as one unit, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining cost-effectiveness through simplified manufacturing and inventory management.
3Device complexity
If reagents are stored in the same chamber as sample processing, then device complexity is reduced, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is segmented into distinct functional zones: a reagent storage reservoir separated from the sample processing chamber. The piercable bottom structure creates a physical barrier that prevents mixing until the moment of use, reducing contamination risk while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The piercable bottom structure acts as an intermediary barrier between the reagent reservoir and sample chamber. It maintains separation during storage and transport, then allows controlled release when needed, preventing direct contact and potential contamination while simplifying the device design.
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
Enables fully automated processing of biological samples from collection to analysis in small volumes, preventing cross-contamination and reducing production costs, while allowing for individual manipulation and analysis of multiple samples simultaneously.
Implementation Method 1
a central control unit for controlling the selection of individual electrodes and for providing them with individual voltage pulses for manipulating liquid droplets by electrowetting
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge manipulates samples in liquid droplets with an electrode array when a working film is placed on the array. The cartridge has a body with lower surface and wells to hold samples, each with a bottom opening to release liquid. A piercable bottom structure seals the bottom openings. A working film below the body has a hydrophobic upper surface. A peripheral spacer connects the working film to the body and forms a gap is between the body and surface. A top piercing system located in at least one of the wells has a piston and a piercing element, the piston being movable in the well and the piercing element piercing the piercable bottom structure for releasing a sample from a well into the gap.