Test Container With Flexible Upper Wall Preventing Liquid Backflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing test containers for nucleic acid extraction and analysis face challenges in preventing liquid return to upstream accommodation portions during liquid feeding, particularly when liquid is transferred from a middle to a downstream accommodation portion, and they often suffer from capillary flow issues without external force application.
Innovation Solution
A test container design featuring at least three accommodation portions with specific flow path configurations, including a flexible upper wall surface in the second accommodation portion that deforms to prevent liquid return, and additional features such as varying flow path heights and water contact angles, or stepped portions to inhibit capillary flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the flow path connects lower ends of liquid accommodation portions, then liquid can flow between portions, but liquid may pass the flow path and flow into adjacent accommodation portion due to capillary force without external force
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the connection position from lower ends to upper ends of the accommodation portions, utilizing the vertical dimension to overcome capillary forces that dominate at lower connections. This dimensional change allows gravity and applied pressure to control flow direction effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path is designed with different local characteristics: it connects at upper ends where capillary forces are minimized, and includes specific structural features (such as the flexible portion configuration) that create different flow resistance characteristics in different sections to prevent unwanted backflow.
2Productivity
If liquid is fed from middle accommodation portion to downstream portion, then downstream portion receives liquid, but liquid may return to upstream accommodation portion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates a flexible portion in the flow path that can dynamically change its configuration based on applied pressure. During liquid feeding, this flexible portion deforms to close off the upstream connection, preventing backflow while allowing forward flow when pressure is applied from the middle portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible portion acts as an intermediary element between the upstream and middle accommodation portions. It mediates the liquid flow by selectively opening or closing the connection based on pressure conditions, allowing controlled feeding while preventing unwanted return flow.
3Productivity
If all liquid in upstream accommodation portion is moved to downstream side, then downstream side receives liquid, but cannot proceed to next step while remaining liquid in upstream accommodation portion
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible portion enables dynamic control of liquid transfer, allowing the system to adapt between complete transfer mode (when needed for next steps) and partial retention mode (when upstream portion needs to maintain liquid for other purposes).
Solution Approach 2:
The system can change the flow parameters by applying different pressure levels. At lower pressures, liquid can be fed selectively to downstream portions while maintaining liquid in upstream portions. At higher pressures, complete transfer can be achieved when required.
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
Effectively prevents liquid return to upstream portions while enhancing liquid feeding properties to downstream portions, improving the efficiency of nucleic acid extraction and analysis processes.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion forming an upper wall surface of the second accommodation portion has flexibility to be deformable inwards of the second accommodation portion
Implementation Method 2
even in a case where an external force is not applied, the liquid may pass the flow path and flow into the adjacent accommodation portion due to a capillary force or the like
Data Source
AI summary
A test container includes a container main body including a first-accommodation-portion, a second-accommodation-portion, and a third-accommodation-portion each accommodating a liquid and internally provided, a first flow path connecting the first-accommodation-portion and the second-accommodation-portion to each other at respective upper end positions thereof and internally provided, and a second flow path connecting the second-accommodation-portion and the third-accommodation-portion to each other at respective upper end positions thereof and internally provided, in which at least a portion forming an upper wall surface of the second-accommodation-portion has flexibility to be deformable inwards of the second-accommodation-portion; and a liquid return prevention structure which prevents a backflow of the liquid to the first-accommodation-portion, when the liquid accommodated in the second-accommodation-portion is fed to the third-accommodation-portion via the second flow path due to deformation of the portion forming the upper wall surface of the second-accommodation-portion inwards of the second-accommodation-portion.