Seed Sampling Apparatus Using Ablation and Manifold Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seed sampling methods are inefficient, labor-intensive, and prone to contamination, with low throughput and inconsistent results, failing to effectively maintain seed viability and accurately obtain specific samples from seed tissues, which hampers the plant breeding process.
Innovation Solution
The development of an apparatus and method using a carrier with apertures for positioning and orienting seeds, a manifold for ablating and collecting seed portions, and a compartment layer for indexing, which enables efficient, non-lethal, and high-throughput sampling while minimizing contamination and ensuring seed viability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual drilling and sampling of individual seeds is performed, then seed viability can be maintained, but the process is slow and labor-intensive with low throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sampling process into multiple parallel processing channels using a manifold structure with multiple apertures, allowing simultaneous sampling of multiple seeds. Each aperture corresponds to a specific seed position, enabling parallel extraction of seed portions without manual intervention for each individual seed.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical drilling process is replaced with an automated ablation system that uses energy beams (laser, plasma, or other energy sources) to remove seed portions. This substitution eliminates manual handling and drilling operations, significantly increasing throughput while maintaining seed viability through non-contact energy-based removal.
2Measurement precision
If manual handling and drilling of seeds is performed, then sampling can be done, but contamination between samples is a risk and the process requires substantial labor
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold structure provides separate, dedicated pathways for each seed sample through individual apertures and conduits. This segmentation physically isolates each sample throughout the sampling and collection process, eliminating cross-contamination risks while reducing manual handling complexity through automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediary structures including the manifold with separate conduits for each sample, collection chambers, and indexing mechanisms. These intermediaries facilitate automated sample transfer and isolation, reducing direct manual handling and minimizing contamination risks while maintaining sampling accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If all seeds are individually processed to ensure accurate sampling, then sampling precision is improved, but the time and resources required increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the processing system into parallel channels, each handling a specific seed position simultaneously. The manifold structure with multiple apertures and dedicated conduits enables parallel processing of multiple seeds at once, maintaining sampling precision through isolated pathways while dramatically reducing total processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated ablation system enables continuous processing without interruption between samples. Energy beams can be applied continuously to multiple seeds simultaneously through the manifold apertures, eliminating idle time between operations and maintaining consistent sampling precision across all samples.
4Manufacturing precision
If seeds are positioned and oriented manually, then specific tissue sampling is possible, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning of seeds in the carrier before the sampling process begins. Seeds are pre-positioned in specific orientations within the carrier apertures, allowing the automated ablation system to immediately target the correct tissue regions without time-consuming manual orientation during processing.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual seed positioning and orientation is replaced with an automated positioning mechanism that uses the carrier structure and manifold alignment to precisely locate and orient each seed. This mechanical/automated system maintains tissue sampling accuracy while eliminating manual handling time.
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
This solution allows for the efficient and accurate collection of viable seed portions with reduced contamination, enabling faster trait identification and resource optimization in plant breeding, thereby reducing the need for extensive land and labor resources.
Implementation Method 1
a seed ablation device for removing a seed portion from each seed in the carrier
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatuses, methods and systems for creating, handling and collecting seed portions are highly beneficial. The apparatus includes a carrier having one or more carrying positions adapted to carry a seed. The carrying positions having a seed orienter adapted to orient the seed relative to the carrying position in the carrier for creating seed portions therefrom. The method includes taking a carrier having one or more carrying positions, orienting a seed relative to the carrying position in the carrier, ablating the seed with a seed ablation device, and communicating seed portions through a manifold into a compartment layer. The system includes a seed manifold adapted to dock thereon a seed carrier having pre-positioned and pre-oriented seed therein. Seed and seed portions removed from the seed in the carrier are communicated into a collector and compartment layer respectively using the seed manifold.