Integrated Reagent Pack Venting for Waste Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reagent packs with integrated waste reservoirs suffer from air accumulation, leading to undesirable pressure buildup, plugging, and early fluid flow blockage, while also posing risks of leakage and contamination, complicating assembly and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A reagent pack design with an integrated waste reservoir featuring an air passage in the wall for direct communication with the ambient environment, maintaining equal internal and external pressures, and using a closure element for secure connections and pressure control, ensuring reagents can be fully depleted without blockage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an integrated waste reservoir is added to the reagent pack, then waste collection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the waste reservoir with the reagent pack structure, integrating multiple functions (reagent storage and waste collection) into a single unit. The waste reservoir is formed as part of the pack housing, eliminating the need for separate waste collection components and simplifying the overall device architecture.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the waste reservoir is sealed to maintain sterility, then contamination risk is reduced, but air accumulation causes pressure buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane that separates the waste reservoir interior from the atmosphere. This membrane allows the reservoir to expand and contract with volume changes while maintaining a sealed environment that prevents contamination. The flexibility accommodates pressure variations without requiring rigid pressure equalization mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple components are integrated into the pack, then assembly is simplified, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pack into distinct functional modules (reagent reservoirs, waste reservoir, flexible membrane, outlet structure) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized and manufactured independently, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining integrated functionality.
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 design effectively prevents air accumulation, reduces pressure buildup, and simplifies assembly by minimizing parts, ensuring complete reagent withdrawal and maintaining sterility, thus improving safety and efficiency in handling biohazardous waste.
Implementation Method 1
an air passage formed in the wall of the waste reservoir, wherein said air passage is in direct gaseous communication with the ambient environment of the reagent pack and thus provides a continuous pressure control within the waste reservoir
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a reagent pack (100) with integrated waste reservoir to be used in a sample analyzer, wherein the sample analyzer comprises a liquid management system with at least one reagent inlet and a waste outlet. The reagent pack (100) comprises a first reservoir (10) having a continuous rigid wall (10a) that defines a constant inner space (12), said inner space opens to the ambient environment through a first opening (14; 214) formed in said rigid wall; an air-tight second reservoir (20, 30, 40) having a continuous flexible wall that defines a variable inner space (22, 32, 42), wherein one or more second openings (24, 34, 44) are formed in said flexible wall and wherein the second reservoir is arranged within the inner space of the first reservoir and stores fluid reagent when the reagent pack has been assembled; and a closure element (50) arranged in and completely filling the first opening of the first reservoir when the reagent pack has been assembled. The closure element comprises a first fluid passage (16) configured to fluidly connect the inner space of the first reservoir, as the waste reservoir, with the waste outlet of said liquid management system so as to receive waste liquid from said waste outlet in said first reservoir when the sample analyzer is in operation, and one or more second fluid passages (26, 36, 46) configured to fluidly connect the one or more second openings of said second reservoirs with respective reagent inlets of said liquid management system so as to supply fluid reagent to said reagent inlets from said second reservoir when the sample analyzer is in operation. The inner space of the first reservoir further comprises an air passage (18) formed in said rigid wall, the inner space of said first reservoir being in gaseous communication with the ambient environment through said air passage so as to continuously maintain a controlled gas pressure within said inner space of the first reservoir when the sample analyzer is in operation.