Reagent Cartridge Storage and Selection Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for storing and selecting prefilled cartridges with temperature-sensitive reagent disks face challenges in maintaining the effectiveness of sensitivity tests, as they often require manual handling that can lead to exposure to inappropriate temperatures, potentially damaging the disks.

Innovation Solution

A device with a chamber equipped with a cooler to store magazines holding supports, featuring a drive mechanism that positions magazines close to or away from a placement opening, allowing for controlled temperature maintenance and minimizing exposure to hostile environments, enabling both single and multiple disk depositions without manual handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual distributors are used for placing disks, then operation flexibility is maintained, but temperature control of reagent disks cannot be guaranteed leading to potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual handling flexibilityVSAvoidtemperature control of reagent disks

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables automatic disk distribution where the system serves itself by automatically positioning and placing disks without manual intervention. The magazine holding support automatically presents cartridges to the placement device, eliminating the need for manual handling while maintaining temperature control through the closed chamber environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The magazine holding support acts as an intermediary between the storage chamber and the placement device. It holds multiple cartridges in a temperature-controlled environment and selectively presents them to the placement device, thereby maintaining temperature control while enabling automated operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If automatic distributors are used for placing disks, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity and dismantling requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature control of reagent disksVSAvoiddistributor structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magazine holding support serves multiple functions: it stores multiple cartridges, maintains temperature control by housing them in a closed chamber, and automatically presents selected cartridges to the placement device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and minimizes dismantling requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines the storage function and the distribution function into a single integrated system. The closed chamber houses both the storage magazines and the placement mechanism, merging what would traditionally be separate temperature-controlled storage and distribution systems into one unified device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If magazines are frequently removed from the chamber for placement operations, then placement efficiency is improved, but temperature control and reagent quality are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisk placement efficiencyVSAvoidreagent disk quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the placement operation into two distinct phases: selection phase (where the magazine remains in the closed chamber and cartridges are selected) and placement phase (where only the specific cartridge needed is temporarily presented). This segmentation allows the majority of the system to remain in the temperature-controlled environment while still enabling efficient placement operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple cartridges are pre-loaded into the magazine while it is in the closed chamber, maintaining temperature control during the loading process. The magazine then presents these pre-prepared cartridges to the placement device as needed, eliminating the need for repeated removal and reinsertion of the entire magazine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution ensures the quality and relevance of reagent disks by maintaining a controlled temperature environment, reducing the risk of damage and ensuring consistent test results, while allowing for efficient loading, unloading, and placement of cartridges without exposing them to harmful temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

said chamber being provided with a cooler of its interior volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentUS10845374B2Device for the storage and selection of pre-filled cartridges of reactive discs

Publication Date: 2020.11.24 INTELLIGENCE ARTIFICIELLE APPL

AI summary

A device is provided for the storage and selection of cartridges (20) that are pre-filled with reactive discs to be placed on a support. The support has a plurality of magazines (2) each able to store a cartridge (20) of discs, at least one magazine-holding support (3) and, for each support (3), drive means (4) for moving the magazine-holding support (3). The device (1) has a chamber (5) for housing at least one magazine-holding support (3). A drive mechanism (8) drives the movement of the magazine (2) in the placement configuration between a position in which said magazine (2) is distant from and a position in which same is closer to the placement opening (7) of the chamber (5).