Reagent Mixing Lumen With Weirs for Precise Small-Volume Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing systems fail to precisely and thoroughly mix small volumes of reagents, leading to improper ratios, cross-contamination, and reduced shelf life due to inconsistent fluid dynamics and non-controlled flow.
Innovation Solution
A mixing device with a housing having inlet and outlet ports, a lumen with anti-siphoning elements and weirs, and a polystyrene construction, designed to ensure thorough mixing of reagents by creating fluid turbulence and preventing backflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional mixing systems are used, then mixing operation can be performed, but precise mixing of small volumes cannot be achieved and cross-contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the fluid pathway into distinct zones using multiple weirs that create separate compartments within the lumen. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination by isolating different reagent streams while ensuring complete mixing through controlled turbulence at each weir interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-siphoning elements act as intermediary structures that control fluid flow direction and prevent backflow. These elements mediate between the inlet ports and outlet port, ensuring unidirectional flow and preventing contamination while maintaining precise mixing of small volumes.
2Device complexity
If simple mixing channels are used, then device complexity is reduced, but fluid dynamics cannot be controlled and mixing is inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates dynamic flow control elements (weirs and anti-siphoning elements) that actively manipulate fluid dynamics rather than relying on passive mixing. These elements create controlled turbulence and eddies that ensure consistent mixing performance across varying flow conditions without requiring complex external control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple weirs create three-dimensional flow patterns within the lumen, transforming simple linear flow into complex multi-directional turbulence. This dimensional complexity enhances mixing efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If reagents are premixed, then shelf life is extended, but mixing ratio precision is lost and waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary mixing actions at the point of use through the weir structures that create turbulence and ensure complete mixing just before the reagents are introduced to the target product. This allows reagents to remain separate and stable during storage while achieving precise mixing ratios at the moment of application.
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
Ensures precise and complete mixing of small volumes of reagents, preventing cross-contamination and maintaining reagent stability by controlling flow and enhancing fluid dynamics.
Implementation Method 1
The surface of the lumen has weirs that create fluid turbulence, thereby facilitating mixing of the fluids
Implementation Method 2
The lumen has anti-siphoning elements to prevent backflow
Data Source
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AI summary
An embodiment provides a device (200) for mixing at least two reagent fluids, the mixed at least two reagent fluids being used for the measurement of a chemical attribute of a sample, including: a housing (201); at least two inlet ports (202, 203), each to receive fluid in a premix state; an outlet port (204) to dispense fluid in a postmix state; and a surface of a lumen (205) for mixing, located within the housing (201), having a predetermined length, wherein the surface of the lumen (205) is located between the at least two inlet ports and the outlet port (204), wherein the at least two inlet ports transition into the surface of the lumen (205), wherein the predetermined length is of a length allowing for sufficient mixing of the fluids received by the at least two inlet ports, wherein the surface of the lumen (205) comprises at least one anti-siphoning element (206) and a plurality of weirs (208) to create a disturbance of a fluid contained therein, wherein the at least two fluids each comprise a reagent for a measurement of a chemical attribute of a sample.