Rotating Plate Apparatus for Uniform Analyte Support Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for processing biological samples, such as blotting assays, face challenges with consistency and efficiency when handling large numbers of transfer membranes, leading to increased labor costs and inaccuracies due to variations in treatment procedures and user inconsistencies.
Innovation Solution
An automated apparatus featuring a rotating plate and lid system that creates a cavity for analyte supports, allowing for uniform processing with oscillating fluid movement and adjustable rotation speeds to ensure thorough wetting and treatment of multiple samples simultaneously, including features like inclined floors and segmented cavities for multiple samples, and mechanisms for fluid introduction and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated systems are used for processing large numbers of transfer membranes, then productivity and consistency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into multiple independent processing stations arranged around a rotating platform, with each station capable of performing specific operations (washing, staining, destaining). This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple membranes simultaneously, improving productivity while keeping each individual station relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating platform serves multiple functions: it holds and transports membranes between stations, provides oscillating motion for fluid distribution, and enables sequential access to different processing stations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each operation, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining high productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual processing methods are used for blotting assays, then device complexity remains low, but manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate due to user inconsistencies
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating platform incorporates oscillating motion that dynamically distributes fluids across the membranes during processing. This dynamic motion ensures consistent fluid contact and distribution across all membranes regardless of their exact position, improving processing consistency while using a relatively simple mechanical oscillation mechanism rather than complex precision positioning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic rotation and oscillation cycles to repeatedly expose membranes to processing fluids at each station. This periodic action ensures uniform and consistent treatment of all membranes through repeated fluid contact, while the simple periodic mechanical motion avoids the need for complex continuous control systems.
3Productivity
If complex automated processing systems are implemented, then productivity improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complicated procedures
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple processing stations are pre-configured with different reagents and functions before operation. The system automatically sequences membranes through these pre-arranged stations, eliminating the need for operators to manually prepare or sequence complex processing steps. This preliminary configuration maintains high productivity while simplifying operator interaction to basic loading and retrieval actions.
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 apparatus enables efficient and uniform treatment of large numbers of biological samples, reducing labor costs and inconsistencies by ensuring thorough wetting and processing of analyte supports with oscillating fluid movement, facilitating automated and precise handling of multiple samples in a controlled environment.
Implementation Method 1
the plate is rotated, the fluid travels up the inclined floor across the sheet as the plate is rotated, then back down as the rotation is reduced or stopped
Implementation Method 2
the cavity has an inclined floor. When process fluid is introduced into the cavity and the plate is rotated, the fluid travels up the inclined floor across the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
Analyte supports such as Western blots, gels, and the like is processed for purposes of detection and analysis, by placing the blot or gel on a plate and causing process fluids to oscillate across the blot or gel by intermittently rotating the plate. The plate can be inclined or flat, divided into sectors to accommodate multiple sheets, and multiple plates can be mounted to a single rotating shaft to process a large number of blots or gels simultaneously under the same protocol.