Pipette Tip Mixing With In-Tip Analysis for Sterile Fluid Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid mixing methods in laboratories are resource-intensive, prone to errors, unsafe, and result in incomplete data due to the need for frequent pipette tip changes, potential spills, and an information gap during mixing processes.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a pipette tip that receives and mixes two fluids, allowing for analysis within the tip, eliminating the need for separate containers and enabling continuous monitoring and measurement of the mixing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pipette tip changes are performed after each working step to maintain sterile operation, then contamination is prevented, but time consumption and resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple working steps (receiving first fluid, receiving second fluid, mixing) into a single continuous operation using one pipette tip. The tip is designed to handle multiple fluids and mixing operations without requiring intermediate changes, thereby maintaining sterility while reducing time loss associated with frequent tip changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipette tip enables continuous operation throughout the entire workflow from receiving first fluid to receiving second fluid and performing mixing. This eliminates interruptions caused by tip changes, maintaining the continuity of the useful action and significantly reducing the time required for the complete process.
2Ease of operation
If individual refilling steps are performed for each fluid, then precise control is achieved, but measurement inaccuracies and errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reception of multiple fluids into a single pipette tip operation. By designing the tip to sequentially receive and mix different fluids without removal or replacement, the system maintains precise control over each fluid while eliminating errors that could arise from multiple refilling steps and tip changes.
3Volume of moving object
If mixing occurs in a separate container, then adequate mixing space is provided, but the information gap during mixing cannot be eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the mixing function directly into the pipette tip, effectively adding the mixing capability to the existing sampling function. This dimensional integration allows the system to perform mixing in the same component used for fluid reception, enabling continuous monitoring throughout the process while providing sufficient mixing volume within the tip's interior space.
4Reliability
If multiple single-use containers and tips are used, then sterility and precision are maintained, but resource consumption and environmental pollution increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pipette tip is designed as a multi-functional tool that performs receiving of first fluid, receiving of second fluid, and mixing operations. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple single-use components (separate tips for each fluid, separate mixing containers), thereby reducing resource consumption and environmental pollution while maintaining sterility through the continuous, controlled operation of a single 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 reduces resource consumption, minimizes errors and spills, and provides accurate, complete data by allowing real-time analysis of the mixing process.
Implementation Method 1
Due to the movement of a pump element of the pump, a negative pressure arises in the pipette tip, which causes the liquid to rise into the tip
Implementation Method 2
The air column moved by the pump element ensures a fluid stream, due to which the movement of the liquid into or out of the pipette tip takes place
Data Source
AI summary
A method for mixing fluids includes providing a pipette tip for receiving a fluid, receiving a first fluid into the pipette tip, receiving a second fluid into the pipette tip, and mixing and analyzing the first and the second fluid in the pipette tip. The method enables resource-saving, safer, more accurate and faster mixing of fluids.