Sample Test Vessel Retainer for Electrostatic Bead Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lyophilised beads in test tubes are prone to becoming electrostatically charged, causing them to exit the tube rapidly upon opening, leading to contamination, loss, or non-ideal reaction conditions, and current solutions like bead retainers are difficult to manufacture and can interfere with the assay reaction.
Innovation Solution
A container with a retaining component, such as a spherical or non-spherical plastic or wax-based component, positioned between the beads and the opening to prevent bead egress while allowing fluid interaction, and a magnetic mixing component for efficient mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lyophilised beads are placed in a tube for testing, then the test reagents are stable at ambient temperatures and convenient for point-of-care use, but the beads become electrostatically charged and exit the tube rapidly upon opening causing contamination and loss
Solution Approach 1:
A retaining component is introduced as an intermediary element between the lyophilised beads and the tube opening. This component prevents direct contact between the electrostatically charged beads and the external environment, blocking the harmful effect of electrostatic egress while maintaining bead stability during storage and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining component is positioned in advance within the tube to preemptively counteract the electrostatic charge effect. By having the retaining barrier already in place before opening, the system prevents the harmful bead egress from occurring in the first place, rather than attempting to correct it after the fact.
2Loss of substance
If bead retainers are incorporated to prevent bead egress, then bead loss is reduced, but the retainers are difficult to manufacture and can interfere with the assay reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining component is designed as a simple, disposable element that is easy to manufacture and discard. Rather than creating a complex, reusable retainer system, the invention uses a simple barrier that can be easily produced and replaced, reducing manufacturing complexity while effectively preventing bead loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining component is designed to be removable from the tube after use. This extraction capability allows the retaining element to serve its purpose during storage and transport, then be easily removed to avoid interfering with the assay reaction, thus solving both the bead loss prevention and assay interference problems.
3Stability of the object's composition
If bead retainers are used to prevent electrostatic egress, then bead stability is maintained, but mixing becomes difficult causing variation and error in measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining component is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt during different stages of use. During storage, it maintains bead stability by preventing egress. During mixing, the component can move or deform to allow adequate mixing space, thus maintaining stability when needed while enabling ease of operation when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube system is segmented into distinct functional zones: a retaining component zone that prevents bead egress, and a mixing zone below it where beads can be adequately mixed with sample. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its specific function without interfering with the other, maintaining both bead stability and mixing efficiency.
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
Prevents bead loss and contamination, ensures consistent mixing, and maintains reaction integrity by allowing fluid interaction without interfering with the assay, enhancing test reliability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
While inside the tube, the lyophilised beads are prone to becoming electrostatically charged, which can cause them to exit the tube rapidly upon opening by the user
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic mixing component for efficient mixing
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for testing of a biological or environmental sample is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a vessel defining an interior chamber and an opening to the chamber, with the opening being the only means of entry and exit from the chamber; one or more dried beads disposed within the chamber, and wherein the opening is configured to allow a fluid containing the biological or environmental sample to enter the chamber for testing of a reaction with the one or more dried beads therein; and a retaining component disposed between the opening and the one or more dried beads within the chamber; and wherein the retaining component is configured to prevent the one or more dried beads from exiting the vessel through the opening when open, and to allow fluid in the vessel to flow past and/or through the retaining component to interact with the one or more dried beads therein.