Automated Sample Workstation Using Positive Pressure for Liquid Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laboratory instruments for automated sample preparation lack efficient automation of liquid handling, leading to potential cross-contamination and inefficiencies in sample processing, particularly in transferring and processing liquid samples for analysis.
Innovation Solution
A laboratory instrument with a liquid handling robot, sample and solvent containers, and a moveable table for positioning collection containers, which uses positive pressure to push processed samples into collection containers, reducing cross-contamination and enhancing reproducibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual liquid handling is used in sample preparation, then device complexity is reduced, but cross-contamination risk increases and reproducibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a waste collection container that is automatically positioned and lifted by a moveable table and lift mechanism, reducing the need for manual intervention while maintaining simplicity. The positive pressure application automatically pushes liquid through the sample processing container, eliminating manual pipetting operations that cause cross-contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical liquid handling operations are replaced with a controlled positive pressure gas system that automatically transfers liquid samples through the processing container. This substitution eliminates the mechanical contact and potential cross-contamination associated with manual pipetting while improving reproducibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If automated liquid handling is implemented, then cross-contamination is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates liquid handling functions into distinct components: a liquid handling robot for precise sample transfer, a moveable table for positioning collection containers, and a lift mechanism for vertical positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently, reducing cross-contamination while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A positive pressure gas acts as an intermediary medium to transfer liquid samples from the sample container through the sample processing container to the collection container. This intermediary approach eliminates direct mechanical contact between handling tools and samples, reducing cross-contamination risk while simplifying the overall automation system.
3Productivity
If positive pressure is used to push liquid through sample processing container, then transfer efficiency is improved, but pressure control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positive pressure application system is merged with the existing sample processing container and moveable table assembly. The pressure source is integrated into the overall instrument architecture, allowing efficient liquid transfer without requiring a separate complex pressure control subsystem. This merging improves productivity while keeping pressure control complexity manageable through shared components.
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 instrument automates liquid handling with reduced risk of cross-contamination and improved reproducibility in sample processing, facilitating efficient transfer and analysis of liquid samples.
Implementation Method 1
means for applying a positive gas pressure to the upper end of said sample processing container to push liquid contents of said sample processing container through the liquid outlet opening
Implementation Method 2
a liquid handling robot arranged to move an aliquot of said liquid sample from said sample container to said sample processing container
Implementation Method 3
When the water immiscible extraction solvent is applied for the elution step, it flows over the aqueous droplets allowing efficient analyte partitioning
Implementation Method 4
analytes will partition into the organic solvent
Implementation Method 5
Application of the sample to the column results in the aqueous sample spreading over the surface of the material, forming an immobilized layer of small droplets held in place by a network of pores
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to laboratory instruments, in particular to instruments for automated preparation of liquid samples like Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) , Supported Liquid Extraction (SLE) or liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). The instrument reduces the risk of cross-contamination between sample collection containers by lifting the sample collection containers to the level of the outlet of the sample processing containers, or slightly above. The instrument further comprises a movable table positioning the liquid collection containers directly beneath said sample processing containers and a waste collection container directly beneath the sample processing containers, wherein said waste collection container is vertically movable from a position below the movable table to a position above the movable table.