Sample Manipulation Apparatus with Asymmetric Legs for Agar Spreading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample manipulation tools, such as stirring rods, are inadequate for efficiently spreading and dispersing samples on agar in petri dishes, leading to inefficient scientific testing and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A novel sample manipulation apparatus with a cylindrical handle, flattened surface portions for grip and sliding engagement, and a terminal member with elongated legs and tips, allowing for raking and sweeping motions to spread samples evenly without pooling, while maintaining stability and preventing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If stirring rods are used to manipulate samples, then the tool is simple in structure, but it is inadequate for efficiently spreading and dispersing samples on agar
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal member is divided into multiple legs (first leg, second leg, third leg) with different lengths, allowing the tool to engage with the agar surface in multiple ways. This segmentation enables more effective sample dispersal compared to a single-stick stirring rod, directly improving productivity while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The legs of the terminal member are deliberately made asymmetric in length, with the first leg being longer than the second and third legs. This asymmetric design creates optimal engagement with the agar surface for spreading motions, enhancing the efficiency of sample dispersion without complicating the overall tool structure.
2Productivity
If a spreader apparatus is designed with multiple legs for effective sample spreading, then the productivity improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements (multiple legs of different lengths, flattened surface portions on the handle) are merged into a single integrated terminal member assembly. This combining approach achieves effective sample spreading through the multi-legged structure while avoiding the need for separate auxiliary tools, thus improving productivity without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is designed with multiple flattened surface portions that can serve different functions: sliding engagement with the petri dish rim for stable positioning, and gripping surfaces for various hand positions during spreading operations. This multi-functionality allows a single structure to perform multiple tasks, improving productivity while minimizing the need for additional components.
3Ease of operation
If the handle is designed with flattened surface portions for sliding engagement and gripping, then the ease of operation improves, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The handle features localized flattened surface portions at specific locations: one flattened portion for sliding engagement with the petri dish rim, and another flattened portion for finger gripping during spreading operations. By concentrating the functional requirements to specific local areas rather than requiring uniform precision throughout the entire handle, the design improves ease of operation while moderating manufacturing precision requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sample manipulation apparatus (10) suitable for use as a cell spreader and capable of spreading or dispersing conveniently and efficiently biological samples on an agar base of a petri dish is described. The sample manipulation apparatus (10) comprises a handle (12) with a terminal member (34) forming a concave pocket. The handle (12) comprises flattened surface portions (20, 26) and the terminal member (34) comprises two legs (36, 38) of different lengths with angularly extending tips (40, 42). The apparatus may be manually operated in an upright position or in a tilted configuration in conjunction with a guide for interaction with the structure of a sample container such as a petri dish.