Rotatable Arm Liquid Fraction Collector for Microplate Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fraction collectors, particularly X-Y collectors, occupy excessive laboratory space and are not suitable for handling microplates due to their linear drive systems, which also lead to diffusion of separated components in high-resolution liquid chromatography, reducing precision.
Innovation Solution
A compact fraction collector design featuring a rotatable arm and a carriage with linear movement, supported by drive motors under the table, allowing precise two-dimensional positioning of a dispenser over microplates, reducing space usage and minimizing diffusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional X-Y collector with linear drives is used, then it can handle microplates, but it occupies excessive laboratory space
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the dispensing head over a stationary microplate table as in conventional X-Y collectors, this invention inverts the approach by making the arm and carriage system movable while keeping the base stationary. The arm rotates on a vertical post and the carriage moves linearly along the arm, allowing the dispensing needle to reach any position over the microplate without requiring large linear drive systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional two-axis linear motion (X-Y) to a combination of rotational motion (arm swinging around vertical post) and linear motion (carriage on arm). This dimensional change allows compact positioning of the dispensing needle over microplate wells while minimizing the footprint on the laboratory bench.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional turntable fraction collector is used, then it saves space, but it cannot handle microplates with two-dimensional array of wells
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines dynamic elements: the arm can swing rotatably to access different radial positions, while the carriage on the arm provides linear positioning. This dynamic combination of rotational and linear motion allows the dispensing needle to precisely reach any well in the microplate's two-dimensional array, making the compact system adaptable to microplate handling.
3Measurement precision
If long attachment tubing is used in conventional collectors, then the equipment can be stationary, but the liquid components diffuse during travel, reducing separation precision
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the dispensing mechanism from the stationary equipment and positions it close to the collection point. By moving the arm and carriage system, the dispensing needle can be positioned immediately over each well, minimizing the distance liquid must travel through tubing and reducing diffusion of separated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible tube connected to the carriage acts as an intermediary that allows the dispensing needle to reach any position over the microplate while maintaining a relatively short path for liquid flow. This flexible connection enables precise positioning without requiring long rigid tubing.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a fraction collector for dispensing liquids into plural receptacles (P1,P2) arranged in a two dimensional array. The fraction collector comprises a table (22) for supporting said receptacles, and an arm supported above the table, in turn supporting a liquid dispenser (35), the fraction collector arm is rotatable about an arm axis (C) and the liquid dispenser is movable along the arm on a carriage 34 (Figure 2). Thereby, the dispenser is low cost and is repositionable simply above the receptacles as a result of said rotation and as a result of said movement along the arm, without occupying too much laboratory bench space.