Integrated Sample Opener for Clean Microliter Reagent Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample handling devices are inconsistent, require separate equipment, and lead to contamination and measurement errors, especially for microliter volumes, due to lack of reproducibility and availability of suitable tools for sample preparation.
Innovation Solution
A device with a sample unit and substance container, featuring an opener that lifts a sealing film or plate at an oblique angle to create an outlet, allowing direct access to the substance without additional tools, ensuring reproducibility and preventing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate equipment such as pipettes and pumps are used for sample handling, then sample collection capability is improved, but device complexity and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sampling function and substance release function into a single integrated device. The sampler with its sealing film and substance container eliminates the need for separate pipettes, pumps, and other external equipment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining sample collection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be self-contained with all necessary functions integrated into one unit. The sampler automatically manages sample collection and the substance container provides on-demand substance release without requiring external equipment or tools, making the device independent and easy to operate.
2Ease of operation
If separate equipment is used for sample handling, then sampling function is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the sampler and substance container into a single integrated device with a common sealed environment, the patent eliminates interfaces between separate equipment where contamination could occur. The unified design ensures that samples and substances interact only within the controlled interior of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-contained design with integrated sample holder and substance container eliminates the need for external tools that could introduce contaminants. All operations occur within the sealed device, reducing exposure to environmental contaminants and cross-contamination risks.
3Ease of operation
If sealing film is pierced with a punch or mandrel, then substance access is improved, but reproducibility and precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static piercing methods with a dynamic lifting mechanism. The sampler's sealing film is lifted vertically by the sampler itself during the sampling process, creating a controlled and reproducible opening that maintains consistent sample volume across multiple operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing film is pre-positioned on the sampler in a controlled manufacturing environment, ensuring proper alignment and sealing before use. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the film is lifted during operation, the sample volume is consistent and reproducible.
4Ease of operation
If equipment is used for sample preparation, then handling capability is improved, but cleaning and disposal requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated sampler design is optimized as a disposable or easily cleanable unit. The unified structure with integrated sample holder and substance container eliminates the need for cleaning multiple separate components, reducing time and effort for maintenance while maintaining full handling capability.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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Figure 7~8
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for taking up and handling a liquid sample and a substance. The device has a sample unit (1) and a substance container (2). The substance container (2) has a reservoir (3) which is designed to keep a substance in the reservoir (3). The reservoir (3) also has an opening (4) which is closed by a sealing film or sealing plate (5) so that substance kept in the reservoir (3) is sealed with respect to the surroundings. The sample unit (1) is equipped with a sample taker (6) which is designed to take up and hold a liquid sample. It also has an opener (7) which is designed to be at least partially inserted into the opening (4) of the reservoir (3) and to lift the sealing film or sealing plate (5) from the opening (4). In that context, a face (8) of the opener (7), which face is arranged in the direction of the sealing film or sealing plate (5) and is inserted into the opening (4) of the reservoir (3) and lifts the sealing film or sealing plate (5) from the opening (4), is designed in such a way that the face (8), upon contact with the sealing film or sealing plate (5), is oriented at an oblique angle to the surface of the sealing film or sealing plate (5) and, when inserted into the opening (4), successively lifts the sealing film or sealing plate (5) from the opening (4) so as to form in the sealing film or sealing plate (5) an outlet (9) through which the substance leaves the reservoir (3) and can be mixed with the sample of the sample taker (6).