Tilting Slide Mechanism for Biological Wetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for wetting biological materials are inefficient in liquid introduction and removal, leading to contamination and wastage of reagents due to residual solutions and capillary forces.
Innovation Solution
A device with a moving arrangement that transitions a slide from a parallel reaction position to a non-parallel collecting position, allowing liquid to collect and be removed efficiently, and includes a mechanism for mixing and aspirating reagents directly on the slide, minimizing contamination and reagent waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-parallel gap is formed between slide and platform to ensure full wetting, then the biological material is sufficiently wetted, but a relatively large volume of reagent is required and liquid removal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The slide is made movable relative to the platform, transitioning from a static non-parallel gap configuration to a dynamic system where the slide can be tilted to collect and remove liquid. This allows the same non-parallel gap that ensures complete wetting to now enable efficient liquid removal by simply changing the slide's angular position.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a two-dimensional static gap problem to a three-dimensional dynamic configuration by introducing slide movement in the angular dimension. By tilting the slide around its longitudinal axis, the liquid is redirected to a collection area, adding a temporal and spatial dimension to the liquid handling process.
2Ease of operation
If capillary forces are used to fill the chamber with reaction solution, then the chamber can be passively filled, but capillary forces draw reagent solution beneath support surfaces causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful capillary forces that cause contamination are extracted and redirected to a useful function. By positioning the slide at a tilt angle, the same capillary forces that previously drew liquid beneath support surfaces are now directed to flow the reagent to a controlled collection area, converting a harmful effect into a beneficial liquid transport mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The tilted slide acts as an intermediary element between the reagent reservoir and the collection area. It mediates the capillary forces, using them to transport liquid along a controlled path rather than allowing uncontrolled wicking beneath support surfaces. The slide's geometry and angle serve as the intermediary structure that directs the liquid flow.
3Device complexity
If the slide remains stationary during liquid filling, then the setup is simple, but liquid flows once more when the gap is emptied and cannot be fully removed
Solution Approach 1:
The slide is transformed from a stationary element to a dynamic component that can be tilted to collect and remove liquid. This dynamic capability allows complete liquid removal through gravity-driven flow to the collection area, eliminating residues that would remain with a static configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid handling process employs periodic action through repeated tilting and positioning cycles. The slide is tilted to collect liquid, then returned to its original position, creating a periodic motion that facilitates complete liquid removal and prevents residue accumulation, thereby eliminating the need for complex multi-step drainage systems.
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 optimizes the introduction and removal of liquids, reduces contamination risks, and enhances the efficiency of chemical and biochemical reactions by ensuring precise liquid guidance and removal, thereby improving the handling and processing of biological samples.
Implementation Method 1
only one corner region of the slide is not or is only slightly elevated in the collecting position, such that the liquid collects in this corner region
Implementation Method 2
capillary gaps are formed between the respectively slanted slides and the corresponding covers. The capillary gaps thus created can then be filled with a staining solution
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a device configured to wet a biological material with at least one liquid, and a disclosed method relates to wetting biological material with at least one liquid using the disclosed device. A disclosed device includes a moving arrangement and a platform configured to receive at least one, substantially triangular or substantially rectangular slide comprising a biological material. The slide is configured to be movable by the moving arrangement from a parallel incubating position, relative to said platform, into a non-parallel collecting position, relative to said platform. Only a single corner section of slide is positioned such that said liquid is collected in the single corner section. Introducing reagents into a mixing zone of said device and repeatedly moving the slide from the collecting position into a mixing position causes mixing of the reagents to thereby generate the liquid that is configured to wet the biological material.