Reagent Vessel Asymmetric Geometry for Stirring Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reagent vessels with uniform volume fail to achieve optimal stirring efficiency, leading to inefficient use of experimental space due to significant volume changes during magnetic-bead reagent operations, necessitating an improvement in design to accommodate varying reagent volumes and enhance stirring efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A reagent vessel design featuring a first tube with a circular bottom section and an adjacent second tube with a square opening section, where the section area ratio is between 1:1 to 1:3.5, and a connecting section with an inclined pipe wall less than 50°, optimized for efficient stirring and operational volume, along with a stirrer jacket for enhanced mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional reagent vessels with uniform volume are used, then the vessel structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the stirring efficiency cannot be optimized due to significant volume changes during magnetic-bead reagent operations
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent vessel is segmented into three distinct sections: a bottom section with a smaller cross-sectional area, a middle section, and an opening section with a larger cross-sectional area. This segmentation allows each section to serve specific functions - the bottom section for concentrated stirring, the middle section for transition, and the opening section for accommodating varying reagent volumes, thereby optimizing stirring efficiency without requiring complete structural redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the reagent vessel are designed with different local qualities - the bottom section has a smaller cross-sectional area to concentrate stirring energy and improve mixing efficiency, while the opening section has a larger cross-sectional area to accommodate varying reagent volumes. This local differentiation allows the vessel to simultaneously achieve efficient stirring and adaptability to volume changes.
2Productivity
If the number of reagent vessels is increased to improve stirring efficiency, then the stirring efficiency improves, but the experimental space occupied increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent vessel design serves multiple functions within a single structure: the bottom section with smaller cross-sectional area provides efficient stirring capability, while the opening section with larger cross-sectional area accommodates varying reagent volumes required for different operational steps. This multi-functionality allows a single vessel type to replace multiple specialized vessels, reducing the total number of vessels needed and thus saving experimental space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If reagent vessels are designed to accommodate varying reagent volumes, then the operational flexibility improves, but the vessel design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent vessel employs an asymmetric design where the bottom section has a smaller cross-sectional area than the opening section. This asymmetric geometry naturally accommodates varying reagent volumes - when volume is low, the magnetic beads concentrate in the bottom section for efficient stirring; when volume is high, the reagents extend into the opening section. The asymmetric design achieves adaptability through simple geometric variation rather than complex mechanisms.
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 optimized reagent vessel design enhances stirring efficiency and operational volume, facilitating processes like cell lysis and target adsorption by controlling the section area ratio and inclined angle, thereby improving the overall efficiency of magnetic-bead reagent operations.
Implementation Method 1
The magnetic field will be provided from the magnetic control device to attract and drive magnetic beads adsorbed with nucleic acids
Implementation Method 2
followed by stirring those ones repeatedly and quickly to be fully mixed
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is related to a reagent vessel, comprising: at least one first tube and at least one second tube, wherein second tube has a section area of the opening greater than one of the bottom. A kit for a reagent vessel is also provided herein, comprising: the reagent vessel and a stirrer jacket, wherein the section area ratio value for the bottom of the second tube to the stirrer jacket is 1.1 to 3.5. According to the present invention, an optimum efficiency for the stirrer jacket will be achieved, and a high capacity of the operational volume will be maintained thereby.