Reaction Vessel Segmentation for Analytical Testing Carryover
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current analytical testing systems face significant delays and increased complexity due to the need for extensive wash routines to prevent reagent and sample carryover, which reduces system throughput and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
The method involves pre-assigning subsets of reaction vessels in a testing apparatus for specific test types, ensuring that interfering reagents are never mixed, thereby minimizing carryover without the need for extensive wash routines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cuvettes are washed and reused to reduce cost, then cost is reduced, but reagent and sample carryover occurs that interferes with test results
Solution Approach 1:
The set of reaction vessels is divided into multiple subsets, with each subset dedicated to specific test types. This segmentation ensures that cuvettes used for one test type never contain reagents from other test types, eliminating carryover interference while allowing reuse of the same physical cuvettes for compatible tests.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-assigns cuvettes to specific test types before testing begins. By establishing this assignment in advance and tracking which cuvettes have been used for which tests, the system prevents carryover without requiring extensive washing routines, thus maintaining both cost efficiency and result accuracy.
2Reliability
If extensive wash routines are performed to minimize carryover, then carryover is reduced, but system throughput decreases and testing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cuvette population into test-type-specific subsets, the system eliminates the need for extensive wash routines between different test types. Cuvettes only need minimal cleaning between uses for the same test type, dramatically reducing wash time and increasing throughput while maintaining carryover minimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter from frequent extensive washing to selective minimal washing based on test type history. By tracking which tests have been performed in each cuvette and avoiding incompatible test sequences, the system reduces wash frequency and duration while maintaining reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If cuvettes are pre-washed and reused, then cost is reduced, but system complexity increases due to wash scheduling
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary assignment of cuvettes to test types at the start of operation or during setup. This pre-assignment eliminates the need for complex real-time wash scheduling, as the system simply tracks which pre-assigned cuvettes are available and used for their designated test types, reducing operational complexity while maintaining cost benefits.
4Reliability
If subsets of reaction vessels are pre-assigned for different test types, then carryover is eliminated, but the number of required reaction vessels increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each cuvette subset is specialized for specific test types, but the same physical cuvettes can be reused multiple times for their assigned test types after minimal cleaning. This multi-functionality within constraints allows the system to eliminate carryover while keeping the total number of cuvettes manageable, as each cuvette serves multiple testing cycles for its designated test type.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method of reducing carryover of liquids, such as reagent and/or samples, in analytical or immunoassay testing. The method includes providing an incubation member including a plurality of reaction vessels thereon, pre-assigning certain ones of the reaction vessels in the incubation member for only first test types or certain reagent types for all test lots; and pre-assigning other ones of a second subset of reaction vessels in the incubation member for only second test types for all test lots. By ensuring no mixing of potentially interfering test types or reagent types from test lot to test lot, sample and/or reagent carryover is mitigated. Testing apparatus adapted to carry out the methods are provided, as are other aspects.