Automated Western Blot Shaking and Pipetting for Multi-Channel Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Western blot processes require significant manual labor and are cumbersome due to the need for constant shaking and mixing during multiple steps, including blocking, reagent addition, and waste liquid recovery.
Innovation Solution
A full-automatic western blot processing system incorporating an incubation shaker, constant-temperature unit, pipetting unit, and control unit, along with a membrane box chamber and human-computer interaction, enabling automated pipetting, liquid addition and discharge, and temperature-controlled shaking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual operations are used for Western blot processing, then flexibility in handling different membrane sizes is maintained, but labor intensity increases and processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service processing through the control unit coordinating the incubation shaker, constant-temperature unit, and pipetting unit. The apparatus automatically performs Western blot processing steps including shaking, temperature control, and liquid handling without manual intervention, thereby improving productivity while reducing labor intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane box chamber is designed with adjustable dimensions and can accommodate membrane boxes of different sizes. The control unit coordinates multiple functional units (incubation shaker, constant-temperature unit, pipetting unit) to perform diverse operations, making the system universally applicable to different Western blot processing requirements while maintaining automated efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If automated processing is implemented, then processing efficiency and precision are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system is segmented into independent functional units: incubation shaker unit, constant-temperature unit, and pipetting unit. Each unit performs a specific function and can be controlled independently by the control unit, allowing for precise automated processing while managing system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that coordinates all functional units (incubation shaker, constant-temperature unit, pipetting unit). It receives processing parameters and translates them into coordinated actions across different units, enabling precise automated control without requiring complex direct integration between all components.
3Extent of automation
If multiple functional units are integrated, then automation capability is enhanced, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional units (incubation shaker, constant-temperature unit, pipetting unit) are merged into a single integrated apparatus with a common housing and coordinated control system. This merging enhances automation capability by enabling coordinated operation of all units, while the shared control unit and housing structure help manage overall system complexity.
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
Facilitates automated, efficient, and flexible processing of western blots with multiple channels, supporting different membrane sizes and reagents, reducing manual labor and ensuring precise temperature control and liquid handling.
Implementation Method 1
the reaction between the membrane and specific antibody (reagent) needs to go through blocking, reagent adding, reagent recovery, waste liquid recovery, cleaning and other processes, during the process of which constant shaking and mixing are needed
Implementation Method 2
A constant-temperature unit mounted in the housing
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed in the present invention is a full-automatic western blot processing system, comprising a housing, and further comprising: an incubation shaker mounted in the housing; a constant-temperature unit mounted in the housing; a membrane box chamber configured to carry a membrane box body and provided on the incubation shaker; a pipetting unit mounted on the incubation shaker and configured to complete pipetting, liquid addition, and liquid discharge in the membrane box body; a control unit mounted in the housing, the incubation shaker, the constant-temperature unit and the pipetting unit being all connected to the control unit, and the control unit being electronically connected to a mains supply; and a human-computer interaction unit mounted on the surface of the housing and connected to the control unit.