Rotating Assay Vessel Support for Gentle Biochip Washing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assay device processing technologies face challenges in preventing the surface of biochips from drying out during washing, which can damage bound molecules and require careful handling to avoid shear forces and contamination, limiting the efficiency of wash processes and increasing storage needs for wash fluids.
Innovation Solution
A rotatably mounted assay device vessel support that rotates about a horizontal axis, allowing for inversion and spinning to maintain liquid on the biochip surface, reducing contamination risks and enabling efficient waste removal without direct contact from aspiration probes, thus facilitating a gentle washing process that preserves weakly bound molecules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If aspiration probes are used to remove waste liquid, then waste removal is achieved, but shear forces are created that can damage weakly bound molecules at the binding sites
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful aspiration probes are completely removed from the system. Instead, the patent uses a rotating vessel approach where waste liquid is removed by inversion and centrifugal force, extracting the harmful mechanical intervention while preserving the binding sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by rotating the entire vessel and using gravity and centrifugal force for waste removal instead of inserting probes into the vessel. This reversal eliminates the source of shear forces while achieving the same waste removal function.
2Manufacturing precision
If wash times are extended to ensure complete removal of reagents, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but processing time increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic rotation and inversion cycles that create dynamic washing action. The rotating motion continuously refreshes the liquid flow patterns, enhancing cleaning efficiency during shorter time periods compared to static prolonged washing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static washing to dynamic rotating washing. The motion creates enhanced fluid dynamics that improve mass transfer and cleaning efficiency, allowing shorter wash times to achieve the same or better cleaning效果.
3Manufacturing precision
If more wash fluid is used to improve removal efficiency, then cleaning performance increases, but fluid storage requirements and waste storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating vessel system uses its own motion to generate centrifugal force that enhances waste removal. The mechanical energy of rotation substitutes for additional fluid volume, allowing efficient washing with reduced fluid consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the washing process by introducing rotation speed and angular velocity as control variables. This shifts the system from relying on fluid volume to relying on mechanical motion parameters for enhanced cleaning efficiency.
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
This approach allows for effective removal of samples and reagents, reduces wash times, conserves wash fluids, and minimizes the risk of damage to biochip surfaces, enhancing the throughput and efficiency of the assay process while maintaining a uniform liquid film on the biochip.
Implementation Method 1
the assay device vessel can be inverted thus allowing waste and other materials to be dispersed or removed. Further, the assay device vessel can be spun, for example at the end of a washing sequence, to ensure removal of all waste and other materials.
Implementation Method 2
the assay device vessel can be spun, for example at the end of a washing sequence, to ensure removal of all waste and other materials. Spinning of the vessel has been found to automatically leave behind a thin uniform film of liquid on the surface of the biochip within the vessel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Assay device processing apparatus comprises a rotatably mounted assay device vessel support (58); and a drive (42) for rotating the support. The support (58) is rotatable about a substantially horizontal first axis so that, upon rotation, an assay device vessel attached to the support can be inverted.