Reagent Bead Inserter Using Solid Push Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for inserting microbeads into sample plates face issues with cross-contamination and damage to the beads during transfer, as the lumen fills with fluid and the beads' sensitive coatings are compromised during handling.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses push rods to insert macrobeads into sample plates, ensuring contact only with the bottom portion of the beads to prevent damage and cross-contamination, utilizing a vacuum to retain the beads on the rods during insertion, and employing a cartridge with membranes to prevent bead loss and ensure precise placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum is used to draw macrobeads onto the distal end of the transfer member, then the macrobead can be retained during transfer, but the lumen fills with fluid causing cross-contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lumen from the transfer member, extracting the harmful fluid-filled cavity that causes cross-contamination. The transfer member becomes a solid rod without internal passages, eliminating the source of contamination while preserving the vacuum retention function through surface adhesion of the macrobead to the rod's external surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of drawing the macrobead into the lumen from the reservoir (internal to external), the system inverts the approach by having the macrobead adhere to the external surface of the transfer member. The vacuum is applied to the external surface rather than through an internal lumen, reversing the direction of the transfer mechanism and eliminating fluid contamination.
2Ease of operation
If the transfer member contacts the macrobead during transfer, then the macrobead can be moved to the well, but the sensitive coating on the macrobead may become damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable cartridge containing the macrobeads, which is consumed in the transfer process. The transfer member is designed for single-use or limited-use scenarios where the cartridge is replaced rather than cleaned or maintained, eliminating the need for complex cleaning procedures that could damage sensitive coatings while ensuring each transfer operation uses a fresh, clean surface.
3Productivity
If multiple macrobeads are handled in a liquid medium reservoir, then mass production is enabled, but cross-contamination between beads occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the macrobead handling process by placing each macrobead in its own separate well within the cartridge, rather than floating freely in a shared liquid medium. This spatial segmentation prevents cross-contamination between adjacent beads while maintaining high-density packing for mass production. The solid-state array structure allows parallel processing of multiple beads without fluid-mediated contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses vacuum pressure applied to the external surface of the transfer member to selectively pick up macrobeads from the cartridge wells. This pneumatic mechanism enables precise, contactless (or minimal contact) transfer of individual beads or small groups of beads, maintaining productivity while eliminating the cross-contamination issues associated with liquid medium handling.
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 system effectively inserts macrobeads without damaging their surface or coatings, preventing cross-contamination by ensuring only the bottom portion of the beads comes into contact with the insertion device, allowing for accurate and damage-free placement in sample plates.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum device arranged and adapted to apply or maintain a vacuum, suction or reduced pressure region at an end of the one or more push or insertion rods or the one or more internal bores in the push or insertion rods so as to retain in use a reagent or macrobead on the end of the one or more push or insertion rods
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for inserting reagent or macrobeads into bores of a sample plate is disclosed comprising an insertion device arranged to retain one or more reagent or macrobeads by means of a vacuum whilst inserting the reagent or macrobeads into bores of the sample plate.