Solid Phase Fragment Production via Tensile Film Pre-Stretching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing solid phase fragments coated with biological material are limited in size, particularly for applications requiring larger BIOCHIPs for pathological examinations or simultaneous analysis of multiple tissue types, as they cannot efficiently produce fragments larger than 3.25 mm in edge length.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a pre-detachment step using a lifting head to generate tensile stress on a film coated with solid phase fragments, allowing for the production of larger fragments by partially detaching them from the foil without damaging the film, followed by complete detachment using a suction cup, enabling fragments with surface areas of at least 10.25 mm^2 and edge lengths greater than 3.25 mm.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If a needle is used to pierce the adhesive film to detach fragments, then the detachment process can be completed, but the method is limited to producing fragments no larger than 3.25 mm in edge length

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveedge length of solid phase fragmentVSAvoidmanufacturing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive film is pre-stretched before the detachment process begins. This preliminary action creates tensile stress in the film, which enables larger fragments to be detached without tearing the film, overcoming the size limitation of the needle piercing method

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The detachment process is divided into two sequential steps: first, the adhesive film is stretched to create tensile stress; second, a needle pierces the stretched film to detach the fragment. This segmentation allows the system to handle larger fragments by separating the film stretching function from the detachment function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of moving object

If the adhesive film is stretched to enable larger fragment production, then fragments larger than 3.25 mm can be produced, but the film may tear or puncture during the process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveedge length of solid phase fragmentVSAvoidintegrity of adhesive film
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive film is stretched to create tensile stress before the needle piercing step. This preliminary stretching distributes mechanical stress throughout the film, preventing localized tearing or puncturing during the subsequent detachment process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By pre-stretching the adhesive film, the system creates a stress-distributed state that cushions against the mechanical stress of needle piercing. This beforehand cushioning prevents the film from tearing or puncturing, ensuring reliable detachment of larger fragments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 method enables the reproducible production of larger solid phase fragments with increased surface area and edge length, overcoming the size limitations of previous techniques, and allows for the production of fragments with up to 12.2 times the surface area of those produced by existing methods, facilitating more extensive biological analyses.

Implementation Method 1

applying tension to the film coated with the solid phase fragments; Contacting the foil with a lifting head to pre-detach a solid phase fragment from the foil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTensile stress: Tension

Implementation Method 2

detaching the one pre-detached solid phase fragment from the foil by means of a unit with a suction cup

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3591400B1Coated solid-phase fragments and its production
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 EUROIMMUN MEDIZINISCHE LABORDIAGNOSTIKA
  • EP3591400B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3591400B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3591400B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for producing solid-phase fragments coated with biological material, a solid-phase fragment coated with biological material produced according to such a method, a carrier on which at least one solid-phase fragment according to the invention is applied, and a device for producing solid-phase fragments coated with biological material, comprising a tensile tension unit, a lifting head unit, and a removal unit.