Multichannel Selector Valve Layout for Immunostainer Reagent Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fully automatic immunohistochemistry stainers face issues with excessive communication pipes leading to pipe folding, cutting, and reagent delivery failures due to the large number of hoses, which increases the device's volume and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A multi fluid path selector valve with layered branch channels and a control mechanism allows selective reagent delivery from reagent bottles to sample addition devices via a reduced number of communicating pipes, integrated into an integrated multichannel fluid path module, reducing pipe congestion and volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluid path modules are used to serve multiple sample addition mechanisms, then each sample addition mechanism can be equipped with dedicated fluid delivery capability, but a large amount of communicating pipes will be heaped inside the device causing folding and cutting off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fluid path functions into a single integrated valve body. The valve body contains multiple branch channels that can selectively connect different reagent bottles to different sample addition mechanisms, eliminating the need for separate fluid path modules for each mechanism. This consolidation reduces the total number of communicating pipes from multiple groups to a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body serves multiple functions simultaneously - it can select and deliver different reagents to different sample addition mechanisms through its multiple branch channels. The control mechanism enables the valve body to dynamically route fluid paths between multiple reagent bottles and multiple sample addition mechanisms, providing universal fluid delivery capability for all mechanisms through a single device.
2Reliability
If multiple fluid path modules are used to ensure adequate reagent supply, then reagent delivery reliability is improved, but the entire volume of the device increases hugely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fluid path modules into one integrated valve body, significantly reducing the device volume. The valve body with its internal branch channels replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate modules, each with their own communicating pipes. This consolidation maintains adequate reagent supply capability while occupying much less space.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body contains multiple branch channels nested within its structure, allowing multiple fluid paths to be housed in a compact configuration. The branch channels are integrated into the valve body's internal architecture, enabling multiple reagent delivery paths to coexist in a single compact unit rather than requiring separate external pipes for each path.
3Ease of manufacture
If hoses are used as communicating pipes for flexibility, then ease of installation is improved, but when the number of pipes is large, folding and cutting off occurs due to squeezing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple separate hose connections into a single integrated valve body with internal channels. Instead of having multiple external hoses that can be squeezed and folded, the fluid paths are contained within the rigid valve body structure, eliminating the risk of external pipe deformation while maintaining installation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the communicating pipes from the external environment and incorporates them into the internal structure of the valve body. The branch channels are built into the valve body itself, removing the vulnerable external hoses from the system and eliminating the problem of pipes being squeezed or folded by external forces.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a multi fluid path selector valve, including a valve body, and several fluid outlet pipes. The valve body is provided with several layers of branch channels therein, the branch channel includes a fluid inlet hole and several branch holes. The valve body is provided with communication holes therein for one-to-one communicating the branch holes with the fluid outlet pipes. The valve body is provided with a control mechanism to control the on or off state between the branch hole and communication hole, and the valve body is provided with fluid inlet pipes in communication with the fluid inlet holes respectively.