Pipette tip washing device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cleaning and sterilizing pipette tips in large-scale laboratory settings are inefficient and costly, leading to significant waste and contamination issues, as existing devices are either too expensive or not scalable for industrial use.
Innovation Solution
A washing device with a drawer compartment and top compartment that includes a manifold dispenser system, capable of directing fluid to multiple pipette tips simultaneously, combined with UV light and agitation mechanisms for comprehensive cleaning and sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plasma systems are used for cleaning 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 simpler mechanical cleaning mechanisms including spray nozzles, ultrasonic vibration, and thermal processing. This substitution maintains cleaning effectiveness while dramatically reducing device complexity and cost, making the system suitable for widespread laboratory use.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs disposable cleaning tips or liners that are discarded after use, replacing the need for complex reusable plasma generation equipment. This approach achieves reliable cleaning results through simple, inexpensive components that eliminate the need for expensive plasma systems.
2Productivity
If single-tip cleaning methods are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but productivity and cleaning scale are insufficient for large laboratories
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is divided into multiple independent cleaning stations, each capable of processing pipette tips simultaneously. The system includes separate compartments for different cleaning functions (spray cleaning, ultrasonic treatment, drying) that can operate in parallel on different tips, dramatically increasing throughput while keeping each station relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a multi-functional cleaning system where a single device performs multiple cleaning operations (spray washing, ultrasonic cleaning, thermal drying, sterilization) on pipette tips. This universal approach increases productivity by handling all cleaning steps in one integrated system rather than requiring multiple separate devices.
3Loss of time
If manual cleaning procedures are used, then equipment cost is reduced, but time consumption and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system employs periodic cyclic operations where multiple cleaning steps (spray, ultrasonic, drying) are automatically repeated in sequence for each pipette tip. This automated periodic action reduces manual intervention time while maintaining relatively simple device structure through programmable control of standard cleaning components.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables self-service cleaning where the system automatically performs all cleaning operations without manual intervention. Pipette tips are automatically fed through the cleaning stations, eliminating the need for operators to manually handle and clean each tip, thereby reducing time loss while keeping the device structure manageable.
4Reliability
If cleaning solutions are used for tip cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but contamination risk and chemical waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs strong oxidizing agents such as ozone or hydrogen peroxide in the cleaning solutions. These substances effectively eliminate organic contaminants and sterilize pipette tips through oxidation, achieving high cleaning effectiveness while being environmentally friendly and leaving no harmful residues that could cause contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical and chemical parameters of the cleaning solution during the cleaning process, including temperature elevation, pressure application, and pH adjustment. These parameter changes enhance the cleaning effectiveness of the solution while allowing for complete evaporation or decomposition of the chemicals, minimizing contamination risk and chemical waste.
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 enables efficient and economical sterilization of large numbers of pipette tips, reducing waste and contamination risks, while being cost-effective and adaptable for various laboratory settings.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of liquid outputs that operably direct fluid to contact the plurality of laboratory consumables
Implementation Method 2
The washing chamber receives the fluid operably directed by the plurality of liquid outputs of the manifold dispenser
Data Source
AI summary
A method for washing laboratory consumables comprises receiving, in a drawer compartment of a washing device, a rack holding a plurality of laboratory consumables, the drawer compartment selectively movable out and in between, respectively, an open and a closed position, the receiving occurring when the drawer compartment is in its open position; moving the drawer compartment to its closed position; moving a manifold dispenser downward from a loading/unloading position to a washing position; the manifold dispenser in a top compartment of the washing device that is positioned above the drawer compartment when the drawer compartment is in its closed position, the manifold dispenser selectively movable up and down between, respectively its loading/unloading position and its washing position; and directing one or more fluid solutions to contact the plurality of laboratory consumables out of a plurality of liquid outputs of the manifold dispenser.