Integrated Pipette Head Pumping for Parallel PCR Sample Prep
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic analyses in the medical diagnostics industry are bottlenecked due to the need for specialized and expensive equipment, leading to delays and inefficiencies in processing biological samples, particularly because sample preparation is labor-intensive and often requires manual handling of multiple reagents and liquid transfers.
Innovation Solution
An automated pipetting system with a liquid dispenser, sensors, manifold, pumps, and dispense heads that can operate in parallel on multiple samples, reducing the need for manual handling and enabling efficient liquid handling steps for sample preparation and nucleotide amplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual handling of multiple reagents and liquid transfers is used for sample preparation, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but labor intensity increases and processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a self-contained liquid dispenser with integrated pump and dispense head that automatically performs liquid handling operations without requiring manual intervention for each transfer step
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the pump mechanism and dispense head into a single integrated unit, merging multiple functions (pumping, dispensing, positioning) into one component to streamline the liquid handling process
2Measurement precision
If specialized equipment is used for diagnostic analyses, then analysis accuracy is improved, but equipment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid dispenser is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple diagnostic functions (liquid handling, mixing, dispensing) without requiring separate specialized equipment for each operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the diagnostic process into modular steps (sample preparation, reagent addition, mixing) that can be performed by a single multi-functional device rather than requiring integrated specialized equipment for the entire process
3Loss of time
If batch processing is used for samples, then equipment utilization is improved, but processing time and delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated liquid dispenser enables continuous processing of samples through automated liquid handling operations, eliminating the idle time between batch operations and maintaining continuous productive action
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary sample preparation actions (liquid handling, mixing) automatically before analysis, preparing multiple samples in advance to enable faster subsequent processing and reduce overall turnaround time
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 automated system significantly reduces processing time, increases throughput, and makes diagnostic analysis more efficient by automating sample preparation and nucleotide handling, allowing for rapid analysis of multiple samples in parallel without the need for specialized equipment in every location.
Implementation Method 1
one or more pumps in fluid communication with the manifold
Data Source
AI summary
The technology described herein generally relates to systems for extracting polynucleotides from multiple samples, particularly from biological samples, and additionally to systems that subsequently amplify and detect the extracted polynucleotides. The technology more particularly relates to microfluidic systems that carry out PCR on multiple samples of nucleotides of interest within microfluidic channels, and detect those nucleotides. The technology still more particularly relates to automated devices for carrying out pipetting operations, particularly on samples in parallel, consistent with sample preparation and delivery of PCR-ready nucleotide extracts to a cartridge wherein PCR is run.