Thin Film Processing Apparatus Adjustable Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for processing biological samples using thin films face challenges such as inconsistent processing, high reagent costs, contamination, and waste management due to excessive liquid volumes and inefficient liquid handling in automated machines and manual techniques.
Innovation Solution
An automated slide processing station with adjustable volume accommodation using substrates that can vary in height to manage optimized liquid volumes, reducing waste and costs by accommodating a range of liquid volumes from 10 microliters to 200 microliters, and employing capillary action to retain liquids, thereby minimizing evaporation and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual immersing techniques are used to treat samples with dyes or reagents, then samples can be processed, but processing is labor intensive and results in inconsistent processing and carryover of liquids between containers
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses capillary action to automatically draw liquids through the processing chamber, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining consistent processing. The capillary forces self-regulate the liquid flow without external intervention, achieving both automation and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical immersing operations with capillary action-based liquid transport. This substitution eliminates labor-intensive handling while providing consistent, controlled liquid delivery through the processing chamber.
2Extent of automation
If automated dip and dunk machines are used to process samples in batches, then automation is achieved, but relatively large amounts of reagents are required and processing costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin film processing chamber where liquids are contained in a thin layer between the substrate and processing chamber walls. This thin film configuration dramatically reduces the volume of reagents needed compared to traditional batch processing baths, while maintaining automation through controlled liquid delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fundamental parameter of liquid volume from large batch volumes to minimal thin-film volumes. By controlling liquid delivery to match the exact processing requirements, the system maintains automation while reducing reagent consumption by orders of magnitude.
3Ease of operation
If open containers are used to hold reagents, then access is easy, but evaporative losses significantly alter the concentration of reagents resulting in inconsistent processing
Solution Approach 1:
The processing chamber uses a thin film configuration that contains liquids in a controlled, enclosed space. This eliminates evaporative losses while maintaining easy access through the automated liquid delivery system, preserving both operational ease and concentration consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a controlled environment within the processing chamber that prevents evaporation. By enclosing the liquid processing environment, the system maintains stable reagent concentrations throughout the automated processing sequence.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If large volumes of rinse liquid are used to physically displace reagent puddles, then rinsing is effective, but large volumes of waste liquid are produced that require special handling and disposal
Solution Approach 1:
The thin film processing chamber allows for precise control of liquid volumes throughout the process. By containing liquids in a thin film, the system can effectively rinse samples with minimal liquid volumes, dramatically reducing waste generation while maintaining effective contaminant removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to minimize waste generation at the source by using precise liquid delivery and containment. The enclosed thin-film chamber allows for efficient liquid management where rinse liquids are used only when and where needed, reducing the volume of waste requiring disposal.
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
The solution enables efficient processing with reduced reagent consumption and waste, minimizing contamination and evaporation losses, and optimizing liquid handling to improve the consistency and cost-effectiveness of sample preparation.
Implementation Method 1
employing capillary action to retain liquids, thereby minimizing evaporation and contamination
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus can be used to apply and remove fluid substances for processing biological samples. The fluid substances can be delivered between a first substrate and a second substrate. One substrate carries a specimen. A layer of the fluid substance is retained in a gap defined by the first and second substrates. One substrate is moved with respect to the second substrate to disperse the fluid substance in the gap.