Adhesive Transfer Sheet for Rearranging Irregular Biological Samples
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transferring and rearranging multiple biological samples from irregular to regular patterns are labor-intensive, require multiple steps, and increase the risk of losing analytical material.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using an optically transparent flexible sheet material with adhesive transfer areas to directly transfer and rearrange multiple biological samples from irregular to regular patterns by applying mechanical pressure with a plunger, allowing simultaneous or sequential transfer to a multi-well plate without intermediate steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If single-cell transfer using microcentrifuge tube cap is used, then cell transfer is achieved, but the process is time and labor intensive requiring a lot of material and equipment space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple transfer operations into a single multi-well plate transfer step. The transfer device with multiple adhesive transfer areas allows simultaneous transfer of multiple cells from the microscope slide directly to multiple wells in a 96-well plate, eliminating the need for individual tube transfers and subsequent re-transfer steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer device serves multiple functions: it acts as both the transfer surface for cell pickup and the transfer tool for depositing cells into multiple wells. The multi-well plate receiving structure combines sample reception and storage functions in a single container, replacing multiple individual tubes.
2Reliability
If individual transfer to microcentrifuge tubes is used, then cell isolation is achieved, but additional transfer step to multi-well plate increases risk of losing analytical material
Solution Approach 1:
The method performs preliminary arrangement of cells in a regular pattern on the microscope slide before transfer. This pre-arrangement allows direct transfer to the multi-well plate in the correct spatial configuration, eliminating the need for subsequent re-transfer and re-arrangement steps that would increase material loss risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer process merges cell pickup, transport, and deposition into a single continuous operation. Cells are picked up from predetermined locations on the slide and deposited directly into corresponding wells in the multi-well plate, combining what would otherwise be separate pickup-and-deposit operations into one integrated transfer step.
3Productivity
If one-by-one cell picking and transferring is used, then rare cell isolation is achieved, but the process is time intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device is segmented into multiple adhesive transfer areas arranged in a grid pattern, with each area corresponding to a specific well position in the multi-well plate. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple cells simultaneously, rather than sequential handling of individual cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive transfer areas on the transfer device serve as intermediary surfaces that can simultaneously hold multiple cells. These intermediaries enable batch transfer operations, where multiple cells are picked up, transported, and deposited in a single coordinated action rather than one at a time.
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
Reduces complexity and material handling, enhances sample integrity by direct transfer and rearrangement, and simplifies downstream analysis by forming wells on-site for further analysis.
Implementation Method 1
extending the flexible sheet material of the adhesive transfer area... such as to adhere the separate biological sample to the flexible sheet material
Implementation Method 2
extending the flexible sheet material of the one adhesive transfer area of the M adhesive transfer areas is achieved by applying mechanical pressure using a plunger
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A method for the rearrangement and transfer of N separate biological samples from N separate first locations arranged in an irregular pattern to M separate second locations arranged in a regular pattern on a transfer device, said transfer device comprising at least M adhesive transfer areas, wherein the at least M adhesive transfer areas are formed of at least a sheet of a flexible sheet material, and wherein N ≥ 2 and N ≥ M.