Pipette Tip Height Correction for Thermal Expansion in Fluorescence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for detecting trace amounts of detection target substances, such as proteins or DNA, face challenges in maintaining accurate liquid delivery and removal due to temperature-induced changes in pipette tip length, leading to inaccuracies in reaction control and residual liquid management.
Innovation Solution
A reaction method that involves detecting the end height of the pipette tip before the reaction step and correcting the pipette nozzle height to account for temperature-induced variations, ensuring precise control over liquid delivery and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pipette tips are used for liquid delivery and removal, then liquid handling is enabled, but temperature-induced changes in pipette tip length cause inaccuracies in reaction control and residual liquid management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by detecting the actual length of the pipette tip (which changes with temperature) and adjusting the liquid delivery parameters accordingly. The system measures the end position of the pipette tip and modifies the delivery control parameters to compensate for thermal expansion or contraction, thereby maintaining accurate liquid handling despite temperature-induced length variations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously detecting the end position of the pipette tip and using this information to adjust subsequent liquid delivery operations. The system measures the actual pipette tip length, compares it with expected values, and applies corrective adjustments to maintain precision in liquid delivery and removal operations
2Temperature
If pipette tip length varies with temperature, then thermal expansion/contraction occurs, but this leads to errors in end height detection and liquid management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by detecting and measuring the pipette tip end position before liquid delivery operations begin. The system performs preliminary detection of the pipette tip length and uses this information to pre-calculate or pre-adjust the delivery parameters, ensuring that temperature-induced length variations do not compromise the precision of subsequent liquid handling operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent compensates for temperature-induced pipette tip length changes by dynamically adjusting the end height detection parameters. The system modifies the detection and control parameters based on the actual pipette tip length, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision in liquid delivery despite thermal expansion or contraction of the pipette tip
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 allows for high-accuracy control of the pipette tip's end height, enhancing the precision of liquid management and detection of trace substances, thereby improving the sensitivity and reliability of the detection process.
Implementation Method 1
the total length of the pipette tip to change depending on the ambient temperature
Implementation Method 2
the fluorescent substance labeling the detection target substance is excited by an electric field enhanced by surface plasmon resonance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A reaction method includes a reaction step of reacting two or more substances with each other by using a pipette tip (A), attached to a pipette nozzle (B), for sucking or discharging a liquid to supply a liquid to a reaction field and remove the liquid from the reaction field a plurality of times. The reaction method further includes: a first process of, prior to the reaction step, detecting an end height of the pipette tip (A) and setting a reference height of the pipette nozzle (B) on the basis of the end height of the pipette tip (A); and a second process of correcting, in a course of the reaction step, the height of the pipette nozzle (B) from the reference height so as to cancel out variation in the end height of the pipette tip (A) due to a change in the temperature of the pipette tip (A).