Pipette Tip Washing with UV Sterilization for Safe Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-scale laboratories face significant environmental pollution and high operational costs due to the disposal of millions of plastic pipette tips each year, with existing cleaning and sterilization methods being inadequate for large-scale reuse and lacking confidence in complete contaminant removal.
Innovation Solution
A pipette tip washing device featuring a manifold dispenser system with UV light sterilization, utilizing UV-transparent compartments and fiber optic cables to ensure thorough sterilization of pipette tips, allowing for efficient and economical reuse in large-scale laboratory settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plasma cleaning systems are used to clean pipette tips, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex plasma generation systems with a simpler mechanical washing system using pumps, nozzles, and chambers. The washing device uses mechanical fluid delivery systems to rinse tips with cleaning solutions, eliminating the need for exotic plasma generation equipment while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through multiple rinse cycles and solution delivery mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cleaning approach from plasma (high energy, complex) to liquid washing (lower energy, simpler). The system uses controllable fluid flow parameters, pressure, and multiple washing solutions to achieve effective cleaning without requiring complex plasma generation infrastructure, thus reducing device complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If comprehensive cleaning systems are implemented, then contaminant removal is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The washing device is divided into separate functional modules: a washing chamber for rinsing, a drying chamber for evaporation, and a sterilization chamber for UV treatment. Each module performs a specific function, allowing comprehensive contaminant removal through multiple stages while keeping each individual component simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary washing and drying actions before final sterilization. Multiple rinse cycles with cleaning solutions are conducted first to remove contaminants, followed by drying to eliminate moisture, and finally UV sterilization to ensure complete contamination removal. This staged approach achieves comprehensive cleaning without requiring all functions to operate simultaneously, reducing system complexity.
3Loss of substance
If pipette tips are reused after cleaning, then operational costs are reduced, but risk of carryover contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous washing, drying, and sterilization cycles that process tips without interruption. The washing chamber continuously rinses tips with cleaning solutions, the drying chamber continuously evaporates moisture, and the sterilization chamber continuously exposes tips to UV light. This continuous multi-stage process ensures complete contaminant removal and eliminates carryover risk while enabling tip reuse for cost savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces UV light as an intermediary sterilization mechanism between washing and tip reuse. The UV sterilization chamber exposes tips to ultraviolet radiation that kills or inactivates microorganisms and contaminants, providing an additional safety barrier. This intermediary sterilization step ensures that even after thorough washing, no carryover contamination occurs, making tip reuse safe and cost-effective.
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 device provides comprehensive and economical sterilization of pipette tips, reducing waste and operational costs while ensuring complete removal of contaminants, making it suitable for large-scale laboratory use.
Implementation Method 1
The bottom compartment includes a light source mounted thereto. The light source is capable of outputting UV light in the direction of the washing chamber and through the floor of the washing chamber.
Implementation Method 2
A middle compartment is attached to the top compartment and comprises a washing chamber capable of receiving fluid output by the plurality of liquid outputs of the manifold dispenser. The washing chamber has a floor comprising a material transparent to ultraviolet (UV) light.
Data Source
AI summary
A washing device includes a top compartment capable of receiving a manifold dispenser. The manifold dispenser is coupled to a rack and comprises at least one liquid input and a plurality of liquid outputs that operably direct fluid to contact a plurality of laboratory consumables held by the rack. A middle compartment is attached to the top compartment and comprises a washing chamber capable of receiving fluid output by the plurality of liquid outputs of the manifold dispenser. The washing chamber has a floor comprising a material transparent to ultraviolet (UV) light. A bottom compartment is attached to the washing chamber. The cottom compartment includes a light source mounted thereto. The light source is capable of outputting UV light in the direction of the washing chamber and through the floor of the washing chamber. A method of washing laboratory consumables is also disclosed.