Reusable six-hole plate with cell culture and scratching functions
By designing a six-well plate that combines cell culture and scratching functions, the contamination risk and non-straight scratches of traditional six-well plates have been solved, enabling precise scratching and measurement. It is compatible with commercially available pipette tips, improving experimental efficiency and result accuracy.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- THE NAVAL MEDICAL UNIV OF PLA
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-17
AI Technical Summary
Traditional six-well plates used in cell scratch assays have drawbacks such as the risk of contamination during operation, lack of fixed scratch references, non-straight scratches, and inconvenient image measurement.
A reusable six-well plate combining cell culture and scratching functions has been designed, comprising a culture substrate, an outer cover, an inner cover, and a scratching mechanism. The inner cover has linear and angular graduations, and is equipped with an adjustable-depth sterile pipette tip and an inverted trapezoidal scratching groove. The outer cover fixes the inner cover through a limiting hole, and a medical silicone rubber cap is used to seal the scratching groove, achieving precise control of the scratching and preventing contamination.
It achieves the straightness and precise measurement of cell scratches, reduces the risk of contamination, supports multiple uses without the need for special scratching tools, is compatible with commercially available pipette tips, and improves experimental efficiency and result accuracy.
Smart Images
Figure CN224133075U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of cell scratch assay technology, and in particular to a reusable six-well plate that combines cell culture and scratch assay functions. Background Technology
[0002] The cell scratch assay is an in vitro experimental method for studying cell migration. The basic principle is to artificially create a blank area, called a "scratch," on a fused monolayer of cells. Cells at the edge of the scratch gradually move into the blank area, causing the "scratch" to heal. The cell scratch assay can be used to observe the effects of exogenous factors such as drugs and genes on cell migration, repair, and interactions.
[0003] Six-well plates are a common basic tool for cell scratch assays. Cells are usually seeded in the six-well plates. After the cells adhere and fuse into a cell monolayer, scratches are artificially created using a pipette tip. Images of the scratches at different time points are captured using a microscope, and the distance between the scratches is measured and the difference is calculated to determine the cell migration ability.
[0004] The six-well plates used in traditional cell scratch assays have the following disadvantages:
[0005] 1. When scratching, the entire cover plate of the six-well plate needs to be removed for the operation, which cannot expose a single cell culture well during scratching, increasing the risk of contamination of other culture wells.
[0006] 2. There is a lack of fixed reference objects for obtaining consistent and straight scratches between each culture well.
[0007] 3. It is not convenient to measure the scratch spacing after capturing the scratch image.
[0008] 4. Lack of scratching tools. Utility Model Content
[0009] Based on existing technical problems, this utility model proposes a reusable six-well plate that combines cell culture and scratching functions.
[0010] This invention proposes a reusable six-well plate that combines cell culture and scratching, comprising a culture base plate and an outer cover covering the top of the culture base plate, wherein culture dishes are arranged in an array on the top of the culture base plate.
[0011] The upper surface of the outer cover has a number of limiting holes equal to the number of the culture dish. The top of the culture dish has an inner cover that protrudes to the top of the outer cover. The outer cover limits the inner cover to the culture dish through the edge of the limiting holes.
[0012] The inner cover is provided with a scratching mechanism that slides back and forth along the diameter direction, and the scratching mechanism includes a sterile pipette tip with adjustable extension depth.
[0013] Preferably, the inner bottom wall of the culture substrate is provided with linear graduations along the diameter direction for measuring cell migration distance, and the inner cover is provided with angular graduations along the circumference direction for measuring the scratch angle of the sterile pipette tip.
[0014] Through the above technical solutions, straight scale lines can provide reference lines for scratches, and angular scale lines can provide references for the angle of scratches.
[0015] Preferably, the scratching mechanism further includes a scratching groove formed on the upper surface of the inner cover. The cross-section of the scratching groove is in the shape of an inverted trapezoid, and the inner wall of the scratching groove is provided with a matching scratching groove cover, which covers the scratching groove.
[0016] The above technical solution prevents the scratch groove cover from slipping off.
[0017] Preferably, a scratching block is slidably connected to the inner wall of the scratching groove, and the scratching block drives the sterile pipette tip to slide back and forth along the inner wall of the scratching groove.
[0018] By using the above technical solution, the scratch block can slide along the inner wall of the scratch groove, which can indirectly make the scratch on the sterile pipette tip a straight line.
[0019] Preferably, the top of the sterile pipette tip is threaded with a scratch handle, which drives the sterile pipette tip to extend into the culture dish and then is threadedly connected to the scratch block to adjust the depth of the sterile pipette tip extending into the culture dish.
[0020] Through the above technical solution, the threaded connection between the scratch handle and the scratch block enables precise adjustment of the depth to which the sterile pipette tip extends into the culture dish.
[0021] Preferably, both the culture substrate and the inner cover are made of polystyrene.
[0022] The above technical solution uses transparent materials, which facilitates observation and light transmission, makes scratching easy, and allows for reuse after high-temperature sterilization.
[0023] Preferably, the scratch groove cover is made of medical-grade silicone rubber.
[0024] Through the above technical solution, medical silicone rubber can be easily handled and used, and can also cover and seal the scratch groove. It can be reused after high-temperature sterilization.
[0025] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:
[0026] 1. By setting the scratch groove cover to be made of medical-grade silicone rubber, medical-grade silicone rubber can be easily handled and used, and can also cover the scratch groove and seal it well. It can be reused after high-temperature sterilization.
[0027] 2. By setting the outer cover to limit the inner cover on the culture dish through the edge of the limiting hole, the cell contamination can be effectively prevented. The outer cover limits the inner cover, which can both allow each culture dish to be operated independently and form a whole, making it easy to move.
[0028] 3. By setting up a scratching mechanism, the cell scratches can be made straight. Each scratching cap can be adapted to each culture dish and accurately placed on the culture dish. When the sterile pipette tip scratches, it is operated in close contact with the scratching groove to achieve the effect of straight cell scratches.
[0029] 4. No special scratching tools are required. The width of the scratch groove is suitable for commercially available 200μL sterile pipette tips from various brands, allowing any 200μL sterile pipette tips currently in use in the laboratory of the experimenter to be used for scratching experiments. Attached Figure Description
[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a reusable six-well plate that combines cell culture and scratching functions proposed in this utility model.
[0031] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the installation of a culture dish and scratch groove cover for a reusable six-well plate that combines cell culture and scratching functions, as proposed in this utility model.
[0032] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the installation of a culture dish and a scratching mechanism for a reusable six-well plate that combines cell culture and scratching functions, as proposed in this utility model.
[0033] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the aseptic pipette tip and scratch handle of a reusable six-well plate that combines cell culture and scratching functions, as proposed in this utility model.
[0034] In the diagram: 1. Culture base plate; 11. Straight graduation line; 2. Outer cover; 21. Limiting hole; 3. Culture dish; 31. Inner cover; 311. Scratch groove; 312. Scratch groove cover; 313. Scratch block; 32. Angle graduation line; 4. Sterile pipette tip; 41. Scratch handle. Detailed Implementation
[0035] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments.
[0036] Reference Figure 1-4A reusable six-well plate that combines cell culture and scratching functions includes a culture substrate 1 and an outer cover 2 covering the top of the culture substrate 1. The inner bottom wall of the culture substrate 1 is provided with an array of linear scale lines 11 along the diameter direction for measuring cell migration distance. The linear scale lines 11 can provide reference lines for scratching, accurately quantify the cell scratch area. By providing linear scale lines 11 at the bottom of the culture substrate 1, the scratch length and area can be calculated according to the scale, achieving precise quantification and enabling effective statistical analysis.
[0037] The top of the culture base plate 1 is also arranged with culture dishes 3, and the top of the culture dishes 3 is provided with an inner cover 31 that extends to the top of the outer cover 2. Both the culture base plate 1 and the inner cover 31 are made of polystyrene. The use of transparent material facilitates observation and light transmission, is easy to scratch, and can be reused after high-temperature sterilization.
[0038] By setting the outer cover 2 to limit the inner cover 31 on the culture dish 3 through the edge of the limiting hole 21, the cell contamination can be effectively prevented. The outer cover 2 limits the inner cover 31, so that each culture dish 3 can be operated independently, and it can also form a whole, which is easy to move.
[0039] The outer cover 2 has a number of limiting holes 21 on its upper surface, the same number as the culture dish 3. The outer cover 2 limits the inner cover 31 to the culture dish 3 through the edge of the limiting holes 21.
[0040] In order to make precise scratches on the cells, a scratching mechanism that slides back and forth along the diameter direction is provided on the inner cover 31. The scratching mechanism includes a sterile pipette tip 4 with adjustable extension depth.
[0041] To prevent angle deviation during scratching, an angle scale 32 is provided on the circumference of the inner cover 31 for measuring the scratch angle of the sterile pipette tip 4. The angle scale 32 provides a reference for the scratch angle.
[0042] Precise cell scratching is achieved as follows: The scratching mechanism includes a scratching groove 311 formed on the upper surface of the inner cover 31. The scratching groove 311 has an inverted trapezoidal cross-section, and its inner wall is provided with a matching scratching groove cover 312, which covers the scratching groove 311. The scratching groove cover 312 is made of medical-grade silicone rubber. Medical-grade silicone rubber is easy to handle and use, and it can also cover and seal the scratching groove 311 well, allowing for reuse after high-temperature sterilization. The inverted trapezoidal shape of the scratching groove 311 prevents the scratching groove cover 312 from slipping off. This ensures that the scratching position is uniform for each cell culture well and the scratching groove position is uniform for each culture dish 3. Scraping is performed along one side of the scratching groove 311 with consistent position, achieving uniformity in the cell scratching position for each well. The cell scratches are straight, and each inner cap 31 can fit into each culture dish 3, accurately covering the culture dish 3. When the sterile pipette tip 4 makes a scratch, it is operated close to one side of the scratch groove 311 to achieve straight cell scratches.
[0043] Furthermore, a scratching block 313 is slidably connected to the inner wall of the scratch groove 311. The scratching block 313 drives the sterile pipette tip 4 to slide back and forth along the inner wall of the scratch groove 311. The sliding of the scratching block 313 along the inner wall of the scratch groove 311 indirectly makes the scratches on the sterile pipette tip 4 straight.
[0044] Each cell culture dish 3 is equipped with an independent inner cover 31, with a scratch groove 311 in the center. The scratch groove 311 is equipped with a matching scratch groove cover 312. Inserting the scratch groove cover 312 into the scratch groove 311 will form a complete cover plate, which can be used for cell culture. When scratching the cells in a culture dish 3, the scratch groove cover 312 can be removed before scratching. This operation does not affect other culture dishes 3 and can effectively prevent foreign objects from entering other culture dishes 3, thus preventing cell contamination as much as possible.
[0045] To facilitate precise control of the scratch depth, a scratching handle 41 is threadedly connected to the top of the sterile pipette tip 4. The scratching handle 41 drives the sterile pipette tip 4 into the culture dish 3 and then threadedly connects to the scratching block 313, thereby adjusting the depth of the sterile pipette tip 4 within the culture dish 3. The threaded connection between the scratching handle 41 and the scratching block 313 enables precise adjustment of the depth of the sterile pipette tip 4 within the culture dish 3.
[0046] By setting up a scratching mechanism, the cell scratches can be made straight. Each scratching cap 312 can be adapted to each culture dish 3 and accurately placed on the culture dish 3. When the sterile pipette tip 4 scratches, it is in close contact with the scratch groove 311 to achieve the effect of straight cell scratches.
[0047] During the scratching process, a sterile pipette tip 4 is used for the scratching experiment. First, the scratching groove cover 312 is removed from the scratching groove 311. The 200μL sterile pipette tip 4 is inserted into the scratching groove 21, and scratching is performed from top to bottom along the upper end of one side of the scratching groove 311. After the scratching is completed, the scratching groove cover 312 is inserted into the scratching groove 311 for subsequent cell culture.
[0048] After the scratching is completed, the scratch groove cover 312 is inserted into the scratch groove 311 for subsequent cell culture. The six-well plate to be photographed is placed on an inverted microscope, and the microscope is focused on the intersection of the diameter of the culture plate 1 and the straight scale line 11. The same intersection is selected for photographing each culture dish 3, and the straight scale line 11 is used to help measure the cell migration distance.
[0049] At the same time, there is no need to purchase special scratching tools. The width of the scratch groove is suitable for 200μL pipette tips from various brands available on the market, so that all 200μL sterile pipette tips used in the laboratory of the experimenter can be used for scratching experiments.
[0050] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A reusable six-well plate that combines cell culture and scratching, comprising a culture substrate (1) and an outer cover (2) covering the top of the culture substrate (1), wherein culture dishes (3) are arranged in an array on the top of the culture substrate (1); characterized in that The upper surface of the outer cover (2) is provided with a number of limiting holes (21) equal to the number of the culture dish (3). The top of the culture dish (3) is provided with an inner cover (31) that protrudes to the top of the outer cover (2). The outer cover (2) limits the inner cover (31) to the culture dish (3) through the edge of the limiting holes (21). The inner cover (31) is provided with a scratching mechanism that slides back and forth along the diameter direction, and the scratching mechanism includes a sterile pipette tip (4) with adjustable extension depth.
2. The reusable six-well plate with both cell culture and scratch according to claim 1, wherein: The inner bottom wall of the culture substrate (1) is provided with linear graduation lines (11) for measuring cell migration distance along the diameter direction, and the inner cover (31) is provided with angular graduation lines (32) for measuring the scratch angle of the sterile pipette tip (4) in the circumferential direction.
3. The reusable six-well plate with both cell culture and scratch according to claim 2, wherein: The scratching mechanism also includes a scratching groove (311) formed on the upper surface of the inner cover (31). The cross-section of the scratching groove (311) is in the shape of an inverted trapezoid. The inner wall of the scratching groove (311) is provided with a matching scratching groove cover (312) to cover the scratching groove (311).
4. The reusable six-well plate with both cell culture and scratch according to claim 3, wherein: The inner wall of the scratch groove (311) is slidably connected to a scratch block (313), which drives the sterile pipette tip (4) to slide back and forth along the inner wall of the scratch groove (311).
5. The reusable six-well plate with both cell culture and scratch according to claim 4, wherein: The top of the sterile pipette tip (4) is threaded with a scratch handle (41). The scratch handle (41) drives the sterile pipette tip (4) to extend into the culture dish (3) and then is threadedly connected to the scratch block (313) to adjust the depth of the sterile pipette tip (4) extending into the culture dish (3).
6. The reusable six-well plate with both cell culture and scratch according to claim 1, wherein: The culture substrate (1) and the inner cover (31) are both made of polystyrene.
7. A reusable six-well plate combining cell culture and scratching functions according to claim 3, characterized in that: The scratch groove cover (312) is made of medical-grade silicone rubber.