Array Plates with Hydrophobic-Hydrophilic Segmentation for Cell Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional array plates and slides suffer from cell loss during washing, particularly with suspension, non-adherent, and weakly adherent cells, which compromises the reliability of cell-based reactions.
Innovation Solution
The development of array plates and slides featuring a sheet layer with discrete through holes and a coupled base layer structure, where primary and secondary areas are defined to minimize cell loss during washing by controlled dispensing and removal of wash solutions without disturbing the sample.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional array plates and slides are used for washing samples, then the washing process can be performed, but cells are lost during removal of the wash solution mixture
Solution Approach 1:
The array plate is segmented into a hydrophobic region and a hydrophilic region, creating distinct functional zones. The hydrophobic region contains the sample while the hydrophilic region receives the wash solution, preventing mixing and cell loss at the interface between these segmented regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the array plate are assigned different surface properties: the sample-containing region has hydrophobic characteristics to retain cells, while the washing region has hydrophilic characteristics to accommodate wash solution. This local differentiation of quality allows simultaneous cell retention and effective washing.
2Ease of operation
If wash solution is added to sample solution on conventional slides, then washing can occur, but the mixture removal disturbs weakly adherent cells
Solution Approach 1:
The washing operation is spatially segmented by creating distinct hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions. Wash solution is added to the hydrophilic region while samples remain in the hydrophobic region, allowing washing to proceed without disturbing cell adhesion at the hydrophobic interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic-hydrophilic interface acts as an intermediary zone that separates the sample-containing region from the wash solution region. This intermediary structure allows wash solution to be introduced and removed without directly contacting and disturbing the adherent cells.
3Device complexity
If conventional slides are used for cell washing, then the process is simple, but cell-based reaction reliability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The slide structure maintains overall simplicity while introducing local quality differentiation through hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions. This localized functional differentiation enhances cell-based reaction reliability without significantly complicating the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The array plate utilizes composite surface properties combining hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics in a single device. This composite approach allows the slide to simultaneously provide cell retention and washing functionality, improving reliability while maintaining structural simplicity.
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
This design effectively retains cells during washing, enhancing the reliability of cell-based reactions and maintaining the integrity of samples like beads or particles conjugated with target molecules.
Implementation Method 1
The PTFE matrix has hydrophobic characteristics and the portions of the glass microscope slide that are not covered by the PTFE matrix have hydrophilic characteristics
Implementation Method 2
The PTFE matrix has hydrophobic characteristics and the portions of the glass microscope slide that are not covered by the PTFE matrix have hydrophilic characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for processing a first solution on a respective primary area of a device with a plurality of primary areas and a plurality of secondary areas are described. A method includes providing the device and dispensing a second solution to a respective secondary area of one or more secondary areas adjacent to the respective primary area, thereby mixing the first solution on the respective secondary area and the second solution on the respective primary area. The method also includes removing at least a portion of the mixed solution.