Disposable Probe Tip for Automated Particle Agglutination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional agglutination assays are laborious, cumbersome, and prone to errors due to the need for multiple washing steps and sequential reagent addition, making them difficult to automate and increasing the risk of contamination and infection in clinical settings.
Innovation Solution
A disposable probe tip apparatus that allows all steps of a particle agglutination reaction to be performed within a single tip, featuring a sample cavity, a flanking cavity for particle separation, a detection cavity for visual detection, and a transition zone for rotational mixing, minimizing operator intervention and enabling automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional agglutination assays are performed with multiple washing steps and sequential reagent addition, then detection accuracy can be maintained, but the process becomes laborious and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate assay steps (sample addition, reagent addition, washing, and detection) into a single integrated tip structure. The tip contains multiple chambers (sample chamber, reagent chamber, detection chamber) that are fluidly connected, allowing the entire agglutination assay to be performed sequentially within one device without transferring samples between multiple containers or performing manual washing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The single tip apparatus serves multiple functions: it acts as a sample container, reagent reservoir, mixing vessel, and detection chamber simultaneously. The tip structure includes integrated features for sample introduction, reagent addition, agglutination reaction, and optical detection, making it a multi-functional device that replaces multiple separate laboratory tools and steps.
2Reliability
If multiple washing steps are performed in conventional agglutination assays, then contamination is reduced, but the time required for the assay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the washing function into the single-tip structure through dedicated washing chambers and fluid pathways that allow buffer solutions to flow through the tip and remove unbound reagents. This integrated washing mechanism eliminates the need for separate external washing steps while maintaining contamination control within the closed tip system.
Solution Approach 2:
The assay process in the single tip is continuous, with reagents flowing sequentially through different chambers without interruption. The washing step is performed continuously as part of the same fluid flow process rather than as a separate discrete step, reducing total assay time while maintaining effective removal of unbound materials.
3Measurement precision
If sequential reagent addition is performed manually in conventional assays, then reaction control is precise, but automation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple reagent addition steps into a single automated fluid delivery system that controls reagent flow through the tip's internal channels. The automated system can precisely control the timing and volume of reagent addition by regulating fluid flow through the integrated chambers, maintaining reaction control precision while enabling full automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The single tip structure is designed to guide reagents through its internal fluid pathways automatically based on pressure gradients and chamber connections. Once reagents are introduced, the tip's structure itself facilitates the sequential mixing and reaction processes without requiring external manual intervention for each step, enabling automated operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual handling of multiple samples is performed, then flexibility in processing is maintained, but the risk of contamination and infection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses individual single-tip units for each sample, creating discrete closed systems that prevent cross-contamination between samples. Each tip is a self-contained reaction vessel that can be independently processed, allowing flexible handling of multiple samples while minimizing the risk of pathogen transmission and contamination through the use of disposable or separately sterilized tips.
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 rapid, cost-effective, and reliable detection of agglutination reactions with minimal labor, reducing the risk of contamination and improving the efficiency of high-throughput agglutination-type assays.
Implementation Method 1
The transition zone is configured for rotational mixing of the sample moving back and forth through the transition zone between the detection zone and the sample cavity through agitation thereof
Implementation Method 2
These Brownian particles significantly improved detection sensitivity, because of the increase in scattered light when aggregation between grafted colloids takes place
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and a related method for performing particle agglutination reactions in a single, disposable probe tip are disclosed. The probe tip includes a sample cavity for sample acquisition, at least one flanking cavity for the capture of particles by centrifugation or other means, a transition zone for the mixing of the sample with reagents for agglutination and a detection zone for the optical detection of particle agglutination. A mechanism may be attached to the probe tip for the controlled movement of fluids through the internal volume of the probe tip. The probe tip is particularly useful for the automation of high-throughput agglutination-type as says.