Pivotable Incubation Tray With Negative Pressure Outlet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic methods face challenges in efficiently using the smallest amount of reagents and sample material, with issues of fluid retention due to capillary forces and adhesion, leading to reduced reaction yield and sensitivity, and increased space and time requirements.
Innovation Solution
An incubation tray with a depression and a base, equipped with a means for applying negative pressure through an outlet channel, allowing for efficient fluid removal and featuring a pivotable design to facilitate fluid convection and minimize reagent waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If miniaturization is implemented to reduce reagent and sample consumption, then cost-effectiveness improves, but fluid retention due to capillary forces and adhesion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The incubation tray is made pivotable about a transverse axis, allowing dynamic repositioning between horizontal (for incubation) and inclined (for fluid removal) positions. This dynamic capability enables the system to overcome capillary retention forces by using gravity-assisted flow toward the outlet channel when inclined, while maintaining stable fluid retention during horizontal incubation phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet channel is designed to accept negative pressure application, creating a pressure gradient that actively draws fluid away from the depression and carrier. This pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism overcomes adhesion and capillary forces by applying suction through the outlet channel, enabling efficient fluid removal despite the miniaturized scale where these forces are dominant.
2Ease of operation
If fluid is removed by pouring off or pipetting, then simplicity is maintained, but remaining fluid dilutes reagents and reduces reaction yield
Solution Approach 1:
The incubation tray design enables self-draining functionality through its inclined position and outlet channel configuration. When pivoted to the inclined position, fluid naturally flows toward the outlet channel under gravity, eliminating the need for external pipetting operations. The tray essentially drains itself, achieving both operational simplicity and complete fluid removal that prevents reagent dilution.
Solution Approach 2:
Negative pressure applied to the outlet channel creates an active suction mechanism that draws fluid away from the carrier and depression. This pneumatic approach provides more complete fluid removal compared to passive pouring or pipetting, ensuring that no residual fluid remains to dilute subsequent reagents while maintaining ease of operation through automated suction.
3Productivity
If incubation tray is made pivotable, then fluid convection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable design allows the incubation tray to dynamically change orientation between horizontal and inclined positions. This simple rotational degree of freedom enables effective fluid convection toward the outlet channel when inclined, while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure compared to more complex pumping or agitation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
By pivoting the tray to an inclined position, the system uses gravity to create a natural potential gradient that drives fluid flow toward the outlet channel. This gravitational equipotential approach eliminates the need for additional energy-consuming mechanisms, achieving effective fluid convection through simple positional change rather than complex active transport systems.
4Reliability
If negative pressure is applied through outlet channel, then fluid removal efficiency increases, but risk of sample loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet channel is specifically positioned and designed to draw fluid away from the carrier area where samples are located. By localizing the suction effect to the outlet region rather than applying negative pressure throughout the entire depression, the system efficiently removes fluid while minimizing the risk of disturbing or losing samples on the carrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet channel acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the fluid in the depression and the negative pressure source. It provides a controlled pathway for fluid removal that separates the suction action from the sample-bearing area, enabling efficient fluid extraction while protecting samples from direct exposure to high-velocity gas flows or excessive suction forces.
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 solution enables efficient fluid removal, reduces reagent consumption, and maintains high-quality stainings with reduced reaction time and space requirements, while minimizing errors and waste.
Implementation Method 1
the opening and the outlet channel are designed in such a way that negative pressure can be applied
Implementation Method 2
Short reaction times and a high quality of the stainings, in particular due to a continuous convection of the liquid phase
Implementation Method 3
the ratio of the fluid volume retained due to capillary forces and adhesion on surfaces
Implementation Method 4
the ratio of the fluid volume retained due to capillary forces and adhesion on surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an incubation tray having a depression formed by the walls of the incubation tray and having a base, wherein the incubation tray has a means for drawing off liquid on at least one longitudinal end of the depression, preferably an opening which opens into an outlet channel on the longitudinal end of the depression, particularly preferably in a wall of the incubation tray, wherein the opening and the outlet channel are designed such that negative pressure can be applied, wherein the incubation tray is pivotable about the transverse axis of the incubation tray, and wherein the incubation tray can be equipped with a support.