Reactant Array Cartridge Design for Cross-Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensing and analysis devices for chemical substances face challenges in preventing cross-contamination and reducing human exposure risks, while also requiring complex setup and prolonged analysis times.
Innovation Solution
The development of a cartridge system with a housing enclosing a reactant array, an access opening, and a locking mechanism to secure specimens, coupled with a reader device for analyzing the reactant array, which allows for non-invasive, rapid analysis and minimizes cross-contamination by ensuring single-use of the cartridge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cartridge system with housing and locking mechanism is used, then cross-contamination is reduced and human exposure risks are minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate components: a disposable cartridge containing the reactant array and a reusable reader device. The cartridge is further segmented into a housing, reactant array, and locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the cartridge to be discarded after single use, preventing cross-contamination while keeping the expensive reader device reusable.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is designed as a disposable, single-use component that is discarded after one analysis. This eliminates the risk of cross-contamination from reusable components and reduces the need for complex sterilization procedures. The locking mechanism ensures the cartridge remains sealed until use, maintaining sample integrity.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure specimens, then cross-contamination is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage when the cartridge is properly inserted into the reader device. The cartridge itself provides the locking action through its structural design, eliminating the need for separate manual locking operations. This self-locking feature secures the specimen without adding significant complexity to the user interface.
3Loss of time
If rapid non-invasive analysis is enabled, then analysis time is reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The reactant array is pre-prepared and sealed in the cartridge before use, with all necessary reagents already in place. When the sample is introduced, the reaction begins immediately without requiring preparation steps. This preliminary preparation enables rapid analysis while maintaining precision, as the reaction conditions are optimized in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical sample preparation and handling with a simplified optical detection process. The reader device uses light-based detection to analyze the reactant array, eliminating the need for prolonged mechanical manipulation or complex measurement procedures. This substitution enables rapid non-invasive analysis while maintaining measurement precision through optical sensing.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods include a system for analyzing reactant arrays. The system may include a cartridge including a reactant array and a device for analyzing the reactant array when the cartridge is received by or in the device. The cartridge may include a compartment for receiving a specimen that is in fluid communication with the reactant array and an opening configured to receive a sample portion of the specimen. The system may include the specimen having the sample portion configured to be positioned in the compartment and a non-sample portion extending out of the compartment.