Sample Acquisition Plate Stack for Needle-Free Pneumatic Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample acquisition systems for polymerase chain reaction flow cytometry are inefficient due to the need to move an aspiration needle between containers, leading to increased analysis times and mechanical failures, and require complex mechanisms that reduce reliability.
Innovation Solution
A stack of plates with conduits, check valves, and gas valves configured to direct pressurized gas through a well plate, allowing samples to be acquired without moving the needle, using a control system to sequentially open and close valves for efficient sample acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an aspiration needle moves between each sample container to aspirate samples, then samples can be acquired from multiple containers, but sample acquisition time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical aspiration needle system with a pneumatic system using pressurized gas delivered through flexible conduits. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical movement between containers, as gas can be rapidly directed to different wells through valve control, dramatically reducing sample acquisition time while maintaining the capability to access multiple containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pressurized gas delivered through conduits to transfer samples from multiple wells simultaneously or sequentially. The pneumatic system allows rapid switching between different sample containers via electronically controlled valves, enabling high-speed sample acquisition without mechanical needle movement, thus resolving the time-consuming aspect of traditional mechanical aspiration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex mechanisms are used to move the aspiration needle to different sample containers, then samples can be acquired from multiple locations, but system reliability decreases due to numerous moving components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical moving components by replacing the mechanical aspiration needle system with a pneumatic delivery system. The flexible conduits remain stationary while electronically controlled valves direct pressurized gas to different sample containers. This substitution maintains the ability to access multiple containers while dramatically improving reliability by removing susceptible mechanical parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The pneumatic system with electronically controlled valves provides a universal platform for accessing multiple sample containers without requiring dedicated mechanical mechanisms for each well. The same gas delivery system can be directed to any container through valve control, maintaining versatility while simplifying the overall system architecture and improving reliability.
3Productivity
If an aspiration needle is moved between containers for sample acquisition, then samples can be collected from multiple sources, but mechanical failures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical aspiration needle that must physically move between containers with a stationary pneumatic delivery system. Pressurized gas is directed through flexible conduits to different sample containers using electronically controlled valves, eliminating mechanical wear and failure points while maintaining the capability to sample from multiple containers efficiently.
4Ease of operation
If the aspiration needle moves to each container sequentially, then samples can be acquired in order, but analysis time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pneumatic system with electronically controlled valves that can rapidly switch between different sample containers. Pressurized gas can be directed to multiple wells in quick succession or even simultaneously, maintaining sequential acquisition capability while reducing the time penalty associated with mechanical needle movement between containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamically controllable valves that can rapidly switch gas flow paths to different sample containers based on acquisition sequence requirements. This dynamic control enables flexible sequential sampling while minimizing transition time between containers, unlike fixed mechanical needle systems that require physical repositioning.
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
Reduces sample acquisition time, enhances system reliability, and eliminates the need for mechanical movement, thereby improving efficiency and reducing mechanical failures.
Implementation Method 1
a first plurality of check valves configured to direct fluid in one direction in the second plurality of conduits
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of gas valves, wherein each valve is in fluid communication with a conduit in the first plurality of conduits
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for sample acquisition, including for example, samples for flow cytometry systems. Certain embodiments include a plurality of plates, valves, and conduits. In particular embodiments, the plates are stacked and the conduits extend through stack of plates, and in specific embodiments each valve is in fluid communication with a conduit.