Applicator Comb Teeth with Hydrophobic Flash for Gel Electrophoresis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophoresis devices face challenges in increasing sample density on substrates without compromising fluid control and structural integrity, leading to inconsistent liquid management and reduced detection sensitivity due to narrower teeth dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A fluid applicator device with a planar applicator body and aligned teeth, where at least one tooth has a greater width at the base than at the tip, and includes perforations to modulate liquid retention and transfer, allowing for higher sample density without loss of resolution or fluid control, formed using techniques like laser cutting to create a hydrophobic flash for improved sample retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of teeth on the applicator comb is increased to accommodate more samples, then sample throughput increases, but fluid control and structural integrity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a hydrophobic flash (non-wettable region) at specific locations on the tooth surface, typically at the tip or edge, while the rest of the tooth surface remains hydrophilic. This localized modification allows the tooth to retain sample fluid through capillary action in the hydrophilic regions while the hydrophobic flash prevents premature release, thereby maintaining fluid control even as tooth dimensions are reduced for higher sample density.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface energy parameter of the applicator tooth by introducing a hydrophobic flash through laser treatment or chemical modification. This parameter change creates a dual-surface-energy structure where the hydrophobic region (higher contact angle) works in conjunction with the hydrophilic region to control fluid retention and release, enabling reliable fluid management in narrower teeth with increased sample capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If the tooth width is reduced to increase the number of samples per substrate, then sample density increases, but structural integrity and manufacturing precision are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic flash creates a localized functional region that compensates for the reduced overall tooth dimensions. By concentrating the fluid retention function in a specific localized area rather than relying on the entire tooth surface, the design maintains manufacturing precision even as tooth width is reduced to increase sample density.
3Productivity
If the teeth are made narrower to accommodate more samples, then sample capacity increases, but liquid deposition consistency and detection sensitivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface energy parameter by creating a hydrophobic flash, which fundamentally alters how liquid interacts with the tooth surface. This parameter change enables narrower teeth to maintain consistent liquid deposition by using capillary forces in the hydrophilic region to hold the sample and the hydrophobic flash to control release, thereby preserving detection sensitivity while increasing sample capacity.
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
The solution enables efficient and reproducible sample loading and deposition, maintaining sensitivity and control, thereby enhancing throughput in high-density electrophoresis applications.
Implementation Method 1
The flash dimension of each tooth is insufficient to maintain surface tension of the liquid droplet to prevent premature liquid release if the tooth is too narrow
Implementation Method 2
formed using techniques like laser cutting to create a hydrophobic flash for improved sample retention
Implementation Method 3
Electrophoresis in general is the voltage-driven migration of suspended and/or colloidal particles in a liquid or a gel, due to the effect of a potential difference across immersed electrodes
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid applicator device includes an applicator body having a surface that is generally planar. A plurality of aligned applicator teeth extend from said applicator body. Each applicator tooth extends longitudinally from said applicator body along a length from a base of the applicator tooth proximate to the applicator body to a tip of the applicator tooth distal to the applicator body. At least one applicator tooth of the plurality of aligned applicator teeth has a width that is greater at the base than at the tip. A method for depositing a liquid sample on a substrate using the fluid applicator device is also disclosed.