Reagent Container Pack Automated Sealing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated clinical sample analyzers require frequent operator intervention for reagent replacement and maintenance, leading to inefficiencies and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A reagent container pack with a self-sealing and automatically unsealing mechanism, housed in a carousel system, that minimizes manual handling by using a cover with hollow tubes and a sliding lid to access and seal reagents, reducing evaporation and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reagent containers are kept sealed to prevent contamination and evaporation, then reagent quality is maintained, but operator intervention is required to open containers for reagent access
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated reagent access through a robotic arm that can pierce seals and dispense reagents without operator intervention. The container pack includes automated sealing mechanisms that maintain reagent integrity while allowing on-demand access through robotic operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The reagent storage system is divided into individual sealed containers within a larger pack structure. Each container can be independently accessed, opened, and sealed, allowing selective reagent access while maintaining protection for other containers in the pack.
2Productivity
If reagent containers are frequently opened for access, then reagent dispensing is enabled, but contamination and evaporation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-seals reagent containers and maintains their sealed state until the moment of use. The automated robotic arm pierces the seal only when reagent dispensing is required, minimizing the time containers are open and reducing exposure to contamination and evaporation.
Solution Approach 2:
A robotic arm acts as an intermediary between the sealed reagent containers and the dispensing system. The robot can pierce seals, transfer reagents, and allow containers to re-seal automatically, enabling dispensing operations without requiring full container opening and manual handling.
3Ease of operation
If manual handling of reagent containers is used, then operation simplicity is maintained, but contamination risk and operator intervention increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs sealing, opening, and dispensing operations autonomously using a robotic arm. The container pack design includes features that work with the robot to maintain seals and enable automated access, eliminating the need for manual handling while reducing contamination risk.
4Extent of automation
If reagent containers are stored in a carousel system for automated access, then operator intervention is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carousel system serves multiple functions: storing multiple reagent containers, rotating to position needed containers, and working with the robotic arm for automated access. This multi-functional design consolidates storage and retrieval operations into a single automated subsystem.
Data Source
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Figure 2
AI summary
A reagent container pack for storing, preserving, and automatically unsealing and resealing a plurality of reagent containers in a reagent container pack on-board an automated clinical sample analyzer for analyzing analytes in a body fluid.