Handheld Sample Prep Device for Rapid Dispense of a Defined Volume
A blue chip biotech customer specializing in life sciences and diagnostics, tasked Gener8 with the development of a novel disposable, low-cost, handheld consumable that simplified a sample prep protocol for dispensing defined volumes of a resuspended sample. The developed consumable reduced a complex bench protocol to three easy steps that reduced contamination issues and processing time compared to the current procedure.
Challenges
- Ensuring the customer’s assay/chemistry is fully developed before designing the consumable
- Meeting three primary objectives in the consumable design:
- Reducing the number of user operations compared to the current test procedure
- Shortening the turnaround time compared to the current test procedure
- Reducing the number of open system manipulations
- Designing a consumable that consolidates a multi-step sample prep protocol into a simple handheld device
- Developing the capability to mix and move a diluted sample within the device
- Accommodating a sample input volume of 500 µL into a column or cartridge
- Ensuring the ability to meter a specific volume of a sample repeatedly
Solutions
- Designing and developing a simple, easy-to-use handheld syringe with a plunger
- Incorporating a ratcheting dispense mechanism to deliver discrete volumes of the diluted sample repeatedly
- Loading the sample into the larger syringe barrel and inserting the plunger
- Using the action of pushing down on the plunger to push a defined volume of diluted sample into the adjacent smaller barrel
- Implementing an orange tab removal mechanism to allow the plunger to be pushed down
- Employing a ratchet mechanism to ensure accurate and reproducible dispensing of the diluted sample every time
