Integrated Well Cartridge Immunoassay for Automated Tip Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing immunoassay systems face inefficiencies due to the need for manual movement of tips between wells for different processes, leading to increased time and potential specimen deformation during sample handling.
Innovation Solution
An automatic immunoassay system with integrated cartridge units, light source and sensing units, and conveyance mechanisms for horizontal and vertical movement of tips, enabling convenient photo-oxidation fluorescence amplification assays by automating the movement of tips through multiple wells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If individual wells are provided for different purposes (sample attachment, cleaning, sensing) and manual tip movement is used, then the immunoassay process can be performed, but the experiment time increases due to repeated tip movement between wells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple wells containing different solutions (sample solution, cleaning solution, sensing solution) into a single integrated cartridge unit. The tip automatically moves between these wells without manual intervention, merging the previously separate operations into one unified system that reduces both time and operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip is designed with automatic movement capability that allows it to autonomously transition between wells in the cartridge unit without requiring manual handling. This self-service mechanism eliminates the time-consuming manual tip movement while maintaining the ability to perform multiple assay steps.
2Productivity
If wells containing different solutions are separated into different locations requiring tip movement, then the assay process can proceed, but the complexity of the experiment process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functional wells into a single cartridge unit that contains all necessary solutions (sample, cleaning, sensing) in one location. This merging approach maintains high productivity by enabling sequential access to all solutions while reducing the overall complexity of the experimental setup and procedure.
3Reliability
If completed reaction wells are moved to a separate assay system, then the assay can continue, but specimen deformation may occur during the moving process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the sensing well directly within the same cartridge unit that contains all other solutions. This eliminates the need to transfer completed reaction wells to a separate assay system, thereby preventing specimen deformation during transfer while maintaining reliable assay results through in-cartridge sensing.
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 system allows for more efficient and accurate photo-oxidation fluorescence amplification assays by integrating wells with different solutions in a single cartridge, ensuring uniform light irradiation and reducing manual handling time.
Implementation Method 1
a sensing unit disposed at the other side of the cartridge unit to detect a fluorescence signal generated by light delivered to the wells
Implementation Method 2
capable of performing photo-oxidation fluorescence amplification assay
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic immunoassay system is provided to an automatic immunoassay apparatus and includes a well cartridge provided with a plurality of wells in which a tip mounted on the automatic immunoassay apparatus is sequentially dipped, a cartridge loading mechanism coupled to a lower portion of the well cartridge to couple the well cartridge to the holding plate, a light source unit disposed at one side of the cartridge unit to emit light to the wells, a sensing unit disposed at the other side of the cartridge unit to detect a fluorescence signal generated by light delivered to the wells, and an assay unit analyzing the fluorescence signals detected by the sensing unit.