Hydrophobic Well Venting for Ambient Reagent Rehydration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reagent cartridges used in sequencing platforms require freezing to maintain liquid reagents, leading to increased shipping costs and environmental impact due to the use of ice packs and dry ice, as well as the need for additional storage equipment.
Innovation Solution
The use of dry reagent cartridges with a hydrophobic venting membrane that allows rehydration at ambient temperatures, enabling cost-effective shipping and storage without freezers, using a liquid reservoir and well assembly with a hydrophobic venting membrane to vent gas while preventing liquid passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid reagent is used and kept frozen, then reagent stability is improved, but shipping cost and storage equipment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the reagent from liquid to dried form, and alters the storage temperature parameter from frozen to ambient. This allows the reagent to be stable without freezing, eliminating the need for cold chain logistics and reducing shipping costs while maintaining reagent stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The reagent is dried in advance before use, preparing it in a stable, concentrated form that can be stored at ambient temperature. The actual rehydration occurs just before use through the liquid delivery mechanism, combining preliminary preparation with on-demand activation.
2Reliability
If liquid reagent is kept frozen, then reagent stability is improved, but environmental impact increases due to ice packs and dry ice
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the reagent from liquid to dried form and storage from frozen to ambient temperature, the patent eliminates the need for ice packs and dry ice, thereby removing the associated environmental harm while preserving reagent stability.
3Reliability
If frozen storage is used, then reagent stability is improved, but additional storage equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage temperature parameter from frozen to ambient and the reagent form from liquid to dried, allowing standard ambient temperature storage cabinets to be used instead of specialized frozen storage equipment, thereby reducing device complexity.
4Ease of operation
If hydrophobic venting membrane is used to vent gas, then gas venting is improved, but liquid passage is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydrophobic venting membrane with specific pore characteristics that allow gas molecules to pass through while blocking liquid. This porous material structure enables selective permeability based on the hydrophobic nature of the membrane and the size/properties of gas versus liquid phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic venting membrane acts as an intermediary component between the sealed vial interior and the external environment, mediating the exchange of gases while preventing liquid leakage. It serves as a selective barrier that facilitates desired gas venting during rehydration while maintaining liquid containment.
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 provides increased shelf life and stability for reagents, reducing shipping and storage costs while minimizing environmental impact by allowing ambient temperature storage and precise metering without precision devices.
Implementation Method 1
The hydrophobic venting membrane is coupled to the body and covers the opening and the cover covers the hydrophobic venting membrane. As the liquid is flowed into the well via the port, the hydrophobic venting membrane vents gas contained within the well.
Implementation Method 2
The hydrophobic venting membrane vents gas contained within the well
Data Source
AI summary
Well assemblies and related methods are disclosed. In accordance with an implementation, an apparatus includes a liquid reservoir containing a liquid and a well assembly including a body, a hydrophobic venting membrane, and a cover. The body defines a well and has an opening and a port. The port is couplable to the liquid reservoir. The hydrophobic venting membrane is coupled to the body and covers the opening and cover covers the hydrophobic venting membrane. As the liquid is flowed into the well via the port, the hydrophobic venting membrane vents gas contained within the well.