Rotating Dispensing Head for Microplate Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices require multiple nozzle units for different microplate specifications, leading to increased costs and difficulties in aspirating and dispensing liquids when the well alignment directions differ, making it challenging to handle various types of containers efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with a support portion and a dispensing head featuring tip attachments aligned linearly, equipped with a drive unit to rotate the dispensing head or support portion, ensuring alignment with the container wells, allowing for efficient aspiration and dispensing across different well plate configurations without the need for multiple nozzle units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple nozzle units are prepared for different microplate specifications, then the device can handle various container types, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing head is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate different microplate specifications through a single nozzle unit. The nozzle unit is configured with multiple nozzles arranged in a grid pattern that can be aligned with various well arrangements by rotating the support portion, eliminating the need for multiple specialized nozzle units.
Solution Approach 2:
The support portion is made rotatable relative to the dispensing head, allowing dynamic adjustment of the nozzle alignment. This rotational capability enables the same nozzle unit to adapt to different microplate orientations and specifications without physical replacement, reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the nozzle unit arrangement direction differs from the microplate well alignment direction, then the device can support different microplate types, but the liquid aspiration and dispensing becomes difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion is designed to be rotatable, allowing the nozzle unit to be dynamically aligned with the well arrangement of the microplate. This rotational adjustment ensures that the nozzle tips are always positioned to match the well alignment direction, maintaining effective liquid aspiration and dispensing across different microplate types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accommodates asymmetric well arrangements in different microplate types by allowing rotational adjustment of the support portion. This enables the symmetric grid-patterned nozzle unit to align with various asymmetric or different-oriented well configurations, maintaining operational effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If a single nozzle unit is used for all microplate specifications, then the device complexity is reduced, but the alignment precision for different well arrangements cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable support portion provides dynamic alignment capability, allowing the nozzle unit to be precisely oriented relative to the microplate wells. This rotational degree of freedom enables precise alignment adjustment for different microplate specifications while maintaining a simple single-nozzle-unit design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the angular parameter of the support portion to achieve different alignment configurations. By adjusting the rotation angle of the support portion, the nozzle arrangement can be precisely aligned with various well patterns, achieving manufacturing precision through parameter adjustment rather than multiple fixed units.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing device capable of aspirating or dispensing a liquid from or into each of a plurality of wells provided on a container, the plurality of wells being aligned linearly, includes: a support portion configured to support the container; a dispensing head having a plurality of tip attachments aligned linearly, the dispensing head being configured to aspirate and dispense a liquid from or into dispensing tips attached to the tip attachments; and a first drive unit configured to rotate at least one of the dispensing head and the support portion relative to the other so that an alignment direction of the plurality of tip attachments coincides with an alignment direction of the plurality of wells.