Sample Concentrating Unit Parallel Gas Stream Evaporation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic sample concentration methods for in-vitro diagnostic analyzers are not suitable for high-throughput environments due to manual intervention requirements, inefficiencies in analyte concentration, and risks of cross-contamination, especially when using orthogonal gas streams that can splash samples and lead to analyte loss.
Innovation Solution
A fully automated sample concentrating unit that uses a specifically directed jet-stream of gas in combination with a vacuum to evaporate sample solvent while maintaining the sample at boiling point, reducing analyte loss and cross-contamination by directing the gas stream parallel to the sample surface, thus enhancing precision and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a gas stream is directed orthogonally to the sample surface to support evaporation, then evaporation efficiency is improved, but the sample and analyte may be splashed to side walls or outside the vessel causing analyte loss and cross-contamination
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of directing the gas stream orthogonally (perpendicularly) to the sample surface as in conventional approaches, the patent inverts the approach by directing the gas stream parallel to the sample surface. This inversion eliminates the splashing effect that causes analyte loss while maintaining evaporation efficiency through the gas stream's ability to remove evaporated solvent.
2Productivity
If vortexing or rotary evaporation is used to increase exposed sample surface area, then evaporation rate is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex mechanical agitation systems (vortex generators, rotary evaporators, centrifuges) from the evaporation process and replaces them with a simpler gas stream approach. By removing the need for mechanical movement and using only a gas stream directed parallel to the sample surface, the system achieves high evaporation rates without the complexity and maintenance requirements of mechanical agitation devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manually monitored evaporation devices are used, then flexibility in handling small numbers of samples is improved, but throughput is limited and manual intervention increases labor costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service automation where the system monitors and controls the evaporation process automatically without human intervention. The gas stream is directed parallel to the sample surface in a manner that automatically prevents splashing, and the system can be integrated into automated workflows for high-throughput processing of large numbers of samples, eliminating labor costs and human factor errors while maintaining flexibility through programmable control.
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 solution enables faster, more precise, and reproducible analyte concentration with reduced analyte loss and cross-contamination, improving the reliability and sensitivity of analytical results while eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a cavity outlet connected to a vacuum pump for generating negative pressure in the cavity
Implementation Method 2
a gas-stream directing nozzle for directing a stream of gas into the cavity, and a cavity outlet connected to a vacuum pump for generating negative pressure in the cavity. The gas-stream directing nozzle is arranged such that the gas stream enters the cavity in a direction parallel to a sample surface tangent plane thereby cooperating with the vacuum pump to transport evaporated sample solvent out of the cavity through the cavity outlet
Implementation Method 3
a controller configured to control the vacuum pump to automatically adjust the negative pressure in the cavity in order to maintain the sample at boiling point until a predetermined level of solvent evaporation is reached
Data Source
AI summary
A sample concentrating unit and a sample concentrating method are described, which enable fast, precise and reproducible analyte concentration in a sample by evaporation of sample solvent. A specifically directed gas stream in cooperation with a vacuum generated in the sample concentrating unit keeps the sample at boiling point during the entire evaporation procedure while reducing analyte loss and risk of cross-contamination. The fully automated sample concentrating unit is designed to be integrated into an in-vitro diagnostic analyzer.