Three-Needle Liquid Handling System for Microtiter Plate Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for handling and processing microtiter plates face inefficiencies due to time differences in filling and washing processes, leading to inconsistent results and increased reagent consumption, as well as challenges in precise positioning and contamination prevention.
Innovation Solution
A device with three separately controlled hollow needles arranged to rest simultaneously over a single well, allowing for simultaneous filling, suction, and washing without movement, using a magnetically held needle unit and peristaltic pump system for efficient reagent addition and liquid handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If sequential filling and washing processes are used with single hollow needles, then device complexity is reduced, but time differences in processing and reagent consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple hollow needles (filling needle, washing needle, suction needle) into a single integrated needle system that can operate simultaneously. This merging of multiple processing functions into one system enables parallel operations, eliminating time differences between filling and washing processes while maintaining controlled complexity through unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous processing by maintaining all hollow needles in constant contact with the well throughout the entire processing cycle. This eliminates idle time and movement steps between operations, ensuring that filling, washing, and suction occur continuously and simultaneously without interruption, thereby maximizing productivity.
2Productivity
If multiple hollow needles are used for simultaneous operations, then processing time is reduced, but positioning precision and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the needle system into functionally distinct hollow needles (filling, washing, suction), each with dedicated roles. This segmentation allows simultaneous operations while maintaining precise positioning control for each needle type, reducing cross-contamination risks by assigning specific functions to specific needles rather than using a single multi-purpose needle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a common well as an intermediary medium that receives all processing actions simultaneously. By channeling filling, washing, and suction through the same well environment, the system maintains precise positioning without requiring complex coordination between multiple independent操作 points, thereby reducing contamination risk while preserving positioning accuracy.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hollow needles move between operations, then flexibility is improved, but time differences and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions all hollow needles in their final operational locations before processing begins. The needles are pre-configured to rest simultaneously over the well, eliminating the need for movement during operations. This preliminary positioning maintains operational flexibility through programmable control while eliminating time-consuming movement steps and associated contamination risks.
4Loss of substance
If reagent addition and washing are performed sequentially, then reagent consumption is reduced, but processing time and inconsistency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs reagent addition and washing continuously and simultaneously through different hollow needles operating in parallel. This continuous action eliminates idle time between steps, ensuring all samples undergo identical processing sequences at the same time, thereby improving result consistency and reliability while optimizing reagent usage through efficient simultaneous operations.
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 solution enables rapid and precise reagent addition and washing processes, reducing time differences and reagent consumption, while preventing contamination and ensuring accurate sample handling, thus improving the efficiency and consistency of microtiter plate operations.
Implementation Method 1
a peristaltic pump for moving a washing liquid to be supplied via the hollow needles
Implementation Method 2
using a magnetically held needle unit
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a device as an analysis apparatus for analyzing biological or chemical samples by means of a reagent liquid that is fed using a pipette. Said device (1) comprises an apparatus housing (2) with a base plate (10), a working plate (11) which is horizontally arranged on the base plate in order to hold the samples in a sample receptacle containing several wells (13b), and a robotic manipulator (25) which is disposed above the working plate and supports a horizontal supporting arm (26) that has a carriage (30). A needle system (31) that can be moved in the Z direction, supports 3 needles (45, 46, 47), and is moved into a vertical position by means of a first vertical drive unit (40) is mounted on the carriage (30). The needle tips (34) can be placed in a top position above a well and in a bottom position within a well. The central needle (45) can be vertically moved relative to the two external needles (46, 47), being raised and lowered by means of a second vertical drive unit (41). The horizontal distance between the three needles is so small that the tips (34) of all three needles can be placed within the same well. In particular, the working plate is rotatably mounted on the base plate.