Sample Holder with Plunger for Contamination-Free Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sample holders used for storing and fracturing biological samples are often costly, inconvenient for storage due to awkward sizes and shapes, and may lead to contamination or loss during transfer, especially when used for both storage and fracturing purposes.
Innovation Solution
A sample holder with a vessel that allows for freezing and storage of samples, featuring a piston mechanism for transferring samples to a second holder without contamination, and a shoulder for positioning and secure transfer, enabling efficient and organized storage and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a special fracturing holder is used to withstand fracturing forces, then the holder can avoid rupturing during fracturing, but the cost of the holder increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate components: a storage holder for sample storage and a fracturing holder for sample fracturing. The storage holder can be made of inexpensive material since it only needs to store samples, while the fracturing holder is specifically designed to withstand fracturing forces. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without requiring both to be expensive and highly durable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a bag-like fracturing holder is used, then the holder can accommodate sample for fracturing, but the holder becomes awkward in size and shape making storage and organization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the storage function from the fracturing function into two distinct holders, the storage holder can be designed with a compact, regular shape that is easy to stack and organize in freezers. The fracturing holder can be designed with the necessary bag-like or irregular shape to accommodate and fracture the sample effectively. This segmentation resolves the conflict between accommodating the sample and maintaining storage convenience.
3Reliability
If the same holder is used for both storage and fracturing, then transfer complications such as contamination and sample loss are avoided, but the holder must be expensive and specially designed to withstand fracturing forces
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a storage holder for sample storage and a separate fracturing holder for sample fracturing. The storage holder can be made of inexpensive material since it only needs to store samples. The fracturing holder is specifically designed to withstand fracturing forces and can be made of more expensive, specialized material. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without requiring both to be expensive and highly durable.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston acts as an intermediary mechanism that enables complete and clean transfer of the sample from the storage holder to the fracturing holder. By using the piston to push the sample through, the system ensures that the entire sample is transferred without contamination or loss, while still allowing the use of separate, less expensive holders for each function.
4Ease of manufacture
If a simple vessel is used for storage, then the holder is cost-effective and easy to manufacture, but the holder cannot withstand fracturing forces
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the functionality into two separate holders: a simple, cost-effective storage holder for sample storage and a specialized fracturing holder for sample fracturing. The storage holder can be made of inexpensive material since it only needs to store samples, while the fracturing holder is specifically designed to withstand fracturing forces. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without requiring both to be expensive and highly durable.
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
Facilitates cost-effective, contamination-free, and organized storage and transfer of biological samples, reducing the risk of loss and improving the efficiency of sample preparation for analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The piston may be disposed in the interior space and arranged to move from the stop at a lower portion of the interior space to an upper portion of the interior space to push a sample toward the top opening
Implementation Method 2
frozen (e.g., by exposure to liquid nitrogen or other suitable cryogen), stored (e.g., in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen or in a mechanical freezer)
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus for holding and/or transferring a sample material into a second holder. The sample holder may comprise a shoulder arranged on the outer surface to engage a second holder and to position a top opening of the sample holder for communication with the second holder. A sample may be expelled from a sample holder using a piston that moves from a lower portion to an upper portion of the sample holder.