Pipette Chip Suction Dynamics for Biochemical Reaction Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for performing biochemical reactions in flow paths using pipette chips face challenges such as bubble formation, which affects reaction accuracy and fluorescent light detection, and repetitive contact with the pipette chip's bottom leads to deformation and positional deviation, compromising the reaction's reliability.
Innovation Solution
A method involving multiple liquid contact steps with specific suction states, where the first suction occurs with a minimal gap between the pipette chip and the liquid injection section's bottom, and the second suction occurs with a greater gap, ensuring accurate liquid removal without deforming the pipette chip, and includes a pipette controller to manage these steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the pipette chip is repeatedly brought into contact with the bottom of the liquid injection section to suck liquid, then liquid removal is improved, but the pipette chip deforms and its position deviates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the gap between the pipette chip and the bottom of the liquid injection section based on the liquid level. When liquid level is high, the pipette chip is positioned closer for effective suction. When liquid level decreases, the pipette chip is retracted to prevent contact and deformation, thus adapting the suction mechanism to different liquid levels
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a sensor to detect the liquid level and provides feedback to the control unit, which then adjusts the pipette chip position accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the pipette chip only contacts the liquid when needed for suction, preventing repeated contact that causes deformation while maintaining effective liquid removal
2Quantity of substance
If liquid is injected and sucked multiple times in the flow path, then reaction completeness is improved, but bubbles are generated that affect detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the pipette chip at an optimal distance from the flow path before liquid injection and suction operations begin. This preliminary setup ensures that liquid is drawn smoothly without creating vacuum conditions that would generate bubbles during the reaction process
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the pipette chip relative to the flow path during different operation phases. By adjusting the gap distance according to the operation stage (injection vs. suction), the system achieves complete mixing while minimizing bubble generation that would interfere with optical detection
3Productivity
If the pipette chip is positioned close to the bottom for effective suction, then liquid removal is improved, but the chip deforms due to repeated contact
Solution Approach 1:
The pipette chip position is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system adjusts the chip-gap distance based on operational requirements: positioning closer for efficient suction when liquid is present, and retracting when liquid level is low to prevent contact-induced deformation, thus optimizing both productivity and precision
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 minimizes residual liquid, reduces bubble formation, and prevents pipette chip deformation, ensuring accurate and reliable biochemical reactions while maintaining precise positional control.
Implementation Method 1
suction of liquid from the liquid injection section
Implementation Method 2
detects a position of the pipette chip using an optical sensor in a state where the pipette chip is inserted through an opening section into a liquid injection section
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2F
Figure 3
AI summary
A liquid contact step including injection of liquid into a flow path using a pipette chip and suction of liquid from the flow channel is performed multiple times, and a predetermined reaction is thereby performed inside the flow channel. In at least one liquid contact step, a first suction is performed in which liquid is suctioned in a state in which the pipette chip and the bottom of a liquid injection section are in contact or in close to each other. Meanwhile, in at least one liquid contact step, a second suction is performed in which the liquid is suctioned in a state in which the pipette chip and the bottom of the liquid injection section are more separated than in the first suction.