Small-Volume Liquid Container With Spill-Free Flowpath Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for handling and transferring small liquid samples, particularly those containing biological materials, face challenges such as spillage, leakage, and inefficiency, which can compromise analysis accuracy and instrument cleanliness, especially in applications involving harsh chemicals or unstable biomolecules.
Innovation Solution
A container design with an inlet and outlet chamber, connected via a flowpath, allows for the transfer and recirculation of small liquid volumes without spillage or leakage, using detachable lids and septums for easy connection to analysis instruments, enabling continuous flow analysis and efficient cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid samples are transferred from one container to another using conventional methods, then the sample can be analyzed, but spillage and leakage occur compromising analysis accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transfer device with a flowpath that acts as an intermediary between the sample container and analysis instrument. The flowpath includes a first free end connectable to the sample container and a second free end connectable to the analysis instrument, providing a controlled transfer pathway that prevents spillage and leakage during sample transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pressure differential control to manage liquid flow through the system. By controlling the pressure differential between the sample container, flowpath, and analysis instrument, the system enables spillage-free transfer of liquid samples through the interconnected chambers and flowpath.
2Measurement precision
If liquid samples are transferred between containers, then analysis can be performed, but process speed decreases due to transfer time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sample container and analysis instrument into a closely integrated system through the flowpath connection. The container with inlet/outlet chambers and the analysis instrument are connected via the flowpath, reducing the distance and time required for sample transfer while maintaining analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is pre-configured with the flowpath already connected to both the sample container and analysis instrument before sample transfer is needed. This preliminary arrangement eliminates setup time during actual sample analysis operations, improving process speed.
3Measurement precision
If liquid samples are transferred to analysis instruments, then analysis can be performed, but leakage risks damage to instrument electronics
Solution Approach 1:
The flowpath serves as a protected intermediary channel between the sample container and analysis instrument. This controlled pathway prevents direct exposure of the analysis instrument to potential spills, directing any leakage away from sensitive electronic components while maintaining analysis functionality.
4Productivity
If samples are analyzed in single-use devices, then analysis is quick, but additional cleaning steps are required for instrument reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The system design allows the flowpath to be easily disconnected from the sample container after analysis. The flowpath can be rapidly cleaned or replaced without disassembling the entire analysis instrument, enabling quick recovery and reuse of the analysis instrument while maintaining high analysis speed.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a container (1) for small liquid volumes having at least one inlet chamber (2), at least one outlet chamber (3), an open top end (4) and a bottom end (5), wherein the bottom end (5) comprises at least one access region (7); wherein the at least one inlet chamber (2) is capable of accommodating a swab stik (16); wherein the at least one inlet chamber (2) has at least one open top end (11a) and is connectable to at least a first free end (8) of a flowpath (9) via the at least one access region (7); and wherein the at least one outlet chamber (3) has at least one open top end (11b) and is connectable to at least another free end (10) of the flowpath (9) via the at least one access region (7); a kit, an interface for fluid handling, and a method for analyzing a sample liquid (18).