Tilted Slide Incubation Holder for Uniform Reagent Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Static incubation methods in biological detection lead to uneven reagent distribution, slow binding of detection substances, and accumulation of bubbles, affecting detection efficiency and accuracy.

Innovation Solution

An incubation holder with obliquely positioned cover and bottom plates that slide relative to slides, driven by a tilt mechanism to uniformly mix reagents, and an incubator with a swingable mechanism to adjust tilt angles for enhanced mixing and binding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If static incubation method is used, then operation simplicity is maintained, but reagent distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidreagent distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static incubation system into a dynamic one by introducing a swinging mechanism that tilts the incubation holder between 15°-45° relative to the horizontal plane. This dynamic tilting enables reagents to flow uniformly across the slide surface through gravity-driven movement, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and reagent distribution uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The incubation holder is designed to swing periodically between tilted positions (15°-45°) and horizontal positions. This periodic swinging action continuously redistributes reagents across the slide surface, preventing local accumulation and ensuring uniform distribution while maintaining the simplicity of the overall operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Device complexity

If static incubation method is used, then process simplicity is maintained, but binding speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidbinding speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic swinging mechanism that tilts the incubation holder to enable reagent flow across the slide surface. This dynamic action accelerates the binding process by ensuring continuous contact between reagents and specimen, increasing binding speed without significantly complicating the overall process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the incubation holder's orientation from horizontal (0°) to tilted (15°-45°), which fundamentally alters the reagent flow pattern. This parameter change enables faster reagent distribution and binding while keeping the process relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If static incubation method is used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but detection accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational simplicityVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic swinging mechanism that tilts the incubation holder to promote uniform reagent distribution and eliminate bubble accumulation. This dynamic approach enhances detection accuracy by ensuring consistent reagent-contact conditions across the entire slide surface while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The periodic swinging action of the incubation holder continuously redistributes reagents and eliminates trapped bubbles during the incubation process. This periodic motion ensures uniform reaction conditions and improves detection accuracy without adding complex operational steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Adaptability or versatility

If cover plates are added to load slides, then slide loading capability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslide loading capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the slide loading function with the incubation holder structure by integrating cover plates that can be tilted and swung along with the holder. This merging allows the same mechanism to both load slides and perform incubation, improving slide loading capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The incubation holder with cover plates is designed to perform multiple functions: loading slides, providing incubation space, enabling reagent distribution, and facilitating slide removal. This multi-functionality improves slide loading capability while avoiding the need for separate dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Improves reagent distribution and binding efficiency, reducing bubble accumulation, thereby enhancing detection accuracy and speed.

Implementation Method 1

the tilt mechanism is configured to drive the holder assembly to swing, so as to adjust tilt angles of the bottom plates, the cover plates, and the slides relative to a horizontal plane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the cover plates slide against the slides, or the cover plates perform opening and closing movement relative to the slides, so as to uniformly mix a reagent between the cover plates and the slides

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4685456A1Incubation holder, incubation apparatus, incubator, staining device, and staining method
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 XIAMEN TALENT BIOMEDICAL TECH CO LTD
  • EP4685456A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4685456A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4685456A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

An incubation holder (1), an incubation apparatus, an incubator (200e), a staining device, and a staining method, relating to the technical field of biological detection. The incubation holder (1) comprises a holder assembly (100), and bottom plates (200) and cover plates (300) obliquely arranged on the holder assembly (100); each bottom plate (200) is used for loading a slide (600), and the slide (600) is located between the bottom plate (200) and the corresponding cover plate (300); each cover plate (300) is attached to the corresponding slide (600) for sliding, or the cover plate (300) opens and closes relative to the slide (600) so as to uniformly mix a reagent between the cover plate (300) and the slide (600), such that the detection is faster and more uniform, and the processing efficiency and accuracy of a specimen on the slide (600) are improved.