Reusable Pipette Tip Rack With Segmented Contamination Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tip racks for pipette tips lack effective contamination protection and efficient reuse mechanisms, leading to potential cross-contamination and increased disposable consumables usage.
Innovation Solution
A tip rack design with independent chambers for accommodating two types of pipette tips, featuring a multi-part construction that includes an upper rack, lower rack, and insert rack, with through bore-holes and capillary channels to prevent contamination and allow for precise alignment and re-use of pipette tips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pipette tips are placed into the rack after use, then contamination protection is improved, but cross-contamination between neighboring tips occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is divided into multiple independent chambers, each capable of holding a single pipette tip. These chambers are separated by partition walls that prevent liquid and contamination from spreading between adjacent chambers, allowing used tips to be placed without contaminating neighboring tips.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition walls acting as intermediaries between chambers serve as physical barriers that block the transmission of contamination. These walls include features like ridges and recesses that maintain separation while allowing the rack to function as an integrated unit.
2Reliability
If disposable pipette tips are used, then contamination protection is improved, but disposable consumables usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rack enables recovery and reuse of pipette tips by providing a clean, isolated storage environment. Used tips can be placed in the rack and preserved for subsequent use, eliminating the need to discard them after a single use and reducing disposable consumables waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack itself is designed as a reusable, non-disposable structure that provides the functionality previously requiring disposable components. By investing in this single durable rack, the system eliminates the continuous consumption of disposable tip containers and protection structures.
3Reliability
If independent chambers are provided for each tip type, then contamination protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rack employs modular segmentation with standardized chamber designs that can be replicated. Each chamber is a simple, identical unit separated by partition walls, making the overall structure manageable despite having multiple chambers for different tip types.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack design is universal and can accommodate multiple types of pipette tips (different sizes, configurations) within the same basic chamber structure. The standardized chamber geometry allows the rack to serve multiple functions: storing different tip types, preventing contamination, and enabling organized retrieval.
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 solution reduces contamination risks and minimizes disposable consumables by enabling the reuse of pipette tips while maintaining precision and efficiency in liquid handling and processing.
Implementation Method 1
capillary channels to prevent contamination
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a three-part rack for holding re-usable pipette tips. The rack comprises an upper, a lower and an insert rack. The rack is optimized for holding first and second types of pipette tips, and comprises contamination protection.