Reagent Dispensing Device Circulation Prevents Crystallization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In dispenser-type reagent dispensing, crystallization of reagents with high guanidine salt concentrations occurs within the pipe flow path, which cannot be effectively prevented by heating the dispensing nozzle alone, posing challenges for multi-sample treatments due to the impracticality of heating the entire pipe flow path.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with a nozzle, reagent suction and discharge pipes, and a control unit that disconnects and reconnects the nozzle and port to circulate the reagent between the container and pipes, ensuring continuous warming and preventing crystallization throughout the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the dispensing nozzle is heated to raise the temperature of refrigerated reagent, then the reaction stability between sample and reagent is improved, but crystallization in the entire pipe flow path cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into multiple independent heating sections along the pipe flow path, each capable of being controlled separately. This allows localized heating at critical points where crystallization is most likely to occur, rather than requiring uniform heating of the entire pipe system.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the pipe flow path are provided with different heating characteristics. The heating temperature and power are adjusted locally based on the specific requirements of each section, with higher heating intensity applied to sections where the reagent is most susceptible to crystallization.
2Reliability
If the entire pipe flow path is heated to prevent crystallization, then crystallization prevention is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to long flow path and movable portions
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into multiple independent heating sections distributed along the pipe flow path. Each section can be controlled independently, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive crystallization prevention without requiring a single complex heating mechanism covering the entire path.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of heating the entire pipe flow path uniformly, heating is applied selectively to specific sections where it is most needed. This partial action approach prevents crystallization effectively while minimizing the overall complexity and cost of the heating system.
3Productivity
If dispenser-type dispensing is used for multi-sample treatment, then dispensing efficiency is improved, but crystallization occurs in the pipe flow path due to reagent residence time
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent is maintained in a continuous state of motion through the pipe flow path via circulation, preventing it from remaining stationary for extended periods. This continuous movement, combined with localized heating, ensures that the reagent does not crystallize even during multi-sample treatment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature parameter of the reagent is actively controlled and adjusted in the pipe flow path through localized heating sections. By maintaining the reagent temperature above its crystallization point throughout the flow path, the system enables efficient dispenser-type dispensing without crystallization issues.
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 prevents reagent crystallization, enabling stable dispensing and analysis by maintaining the reagent's temperature and flow, even in areas where a heating mechanism is difficult to implement, thus addressing the limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
the reagent in the reagent container is circulated into the reagent suction pipe and the reagent discharge pipe
Data Source
AI summary
In dispenser-type reagent dispensing, because a reagent is transferred through a piping flow path to a prescribed position and dispensed, some of the reagents may remain in the piping flow path and reagent crystallization may consequently occur in the piping flow path. Thus, crystallization prevention for the entire piping flow path must be taken into consideration. Provided is a dispensing device that comprises a reagent suction pipe for sucking in a reagent from a reagent vessel, a liquid transfer mechanism for transferring the reagent, a nozzle for discharging the reagent, and a reagent discharge pipe that is connected to the reagent container and a port that can be connected to the nozzle. The dispensing device is characterized in that the reagent is dispensed from the nozzle into a reaction vessel and when the reagent is not being dispensed, the nozzle and the port are connected and the reagent is circulated.