Rotating Reagent Separator for In Vitro Diagnostics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sorting and disposing equipment for liquid and solid reagents in in vitro diagnostic detection is complex and costly, often leading to contamination during disposal due to the inability to effectively separate reaction containers from reaction liquids.
Innovation Solution
A device with a rotating mechanism and separate liquid and solid receiving ports allows for the separation of reagents from reactors by gravity, where the reagent falls into a liquid receiving port and the reactor falls into a solid receiving port as the holding component rotates, simplifying the structure and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a liquid aspirating needle is used to suck out the liquid in the reaction container, then the liquid and reaction container can be discarded separately, but the device becomes complicated in structure and high in cost
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the receiving area into distinct liquid receiving port and solid receiving port positioned at different locations. The rotating holding component allows the reaction container to be oriented such that liquid drains into one port while the container itself falls into another port, achieving separation without complex aspiration mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a needle to actively suck out liquid, the invention inverts the approach by using gravity and rotation to passively drain liquid into a separate receiving port while the container falls elsewhere. This passive separation mechanism simplifies the device structure while maintaining effective separation
2Ease of operation
If the reaction container is discarded together with the reaction liquid, then the disposal process is simple, but contamination may occur during disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The collecting means is segmented into spatially separated liquid receiving port and solid receiving port. During rotation, liquid drains into the liquid receiving port while the reaction container falls into the solid receiving port, achieving automatic separation that eliminates contamination risk while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating holding component acts as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates separation. By rotating to different positions, it enables liquid to be discharged into one receiving area while directing the container to another receiving area, thus mediating the separation process without requiring direct intervention
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 solution enables efficient and cost-effective separation and disposal of reagents and reactors, reducing the risk of contamination and lowering manufacturing and maintenance costs while ensuring easy operation.
Implementation Method 1
the reagent in the reactor falls into the liquid receiving port; when the rotating mechanism continues rotating in an original direction until the holding component passes over the solid receiving port, the reactor is detached from the holding component and falls into the solid receiving port
Data Source
AI summary
A device for separating a reagent from a reactor includes a collecting means, provided with a liquid receiving port and a solid receiving port, a holding component disposed above the collecting means and used for placing the reactor, and a rotating mechanism for driving the holding component to rotate. The liquid receiving port and the solid receiving port are arranged at different positions in the circumferential direction of rotation of the holding component, when the holding component passes over the liquid receiving port, reagent in the reactor falls into the liquid receiving port, when the rotating mechanism continues rotating in the original direction until the holding component passes over the solid receiving port, the reactor falls into the solid receiving port from the holding component.