Capacitive Cell Picking Tool for Contamination-Free Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for picking up cell material from culture media often result in contamination due to mixed samples and electrical currents that harm cells, and require extensive device cleaning or replacement for cross-contamination prevention.
Innovation Solution
A method using a picking tool with capacitive measurement to detect contact with cell material, ensuring only cell material is picked up, and employing a new tool each time to prevent contamination, with automated control to avoid human intervention and minimize device parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a transplanting needle is used as an electrode to detect contact with culture medium, then a constant needling depth can be obtained, but the needle may pick up a mixture of cell material and culture medium below the cell material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical detection method (electrode/transplanting needle) with a capacitive measurement system. The measurement electrode detects cell material contact through capacitance changes rather than electrical conduction, allowing precise depth control without penetrating below the cell material layer, thus preventing contamination with culture medium while maintaining accurate depth detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from electrical conduction (current flow) to capacitance measurement. By measuring capacitance changes between the measurement electrode and the cell material, the system can detect contact with high precision without the harmful effects of electrical current through the culture medium, and control needling depth to avoid picking up culture medium below the cells.
2Reliability
If a power supply is connected to the electrode and transplanting needle to detect contact, then contact detection is achieved, but a current flows through the culture medium that is detrimental for the cell material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical power supply and current-based detection system with a capacitive measurement system. The measurement electrode measures capacitance changes caused by cell material contact without requiring a power supply connected to the electrode or culture medium, thereby eliminating harmful currents while maintaining reliable contact detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces capacitance as an intermediary measurement parameter. Instead of directly measuring electrical conduction through the culture medium (which requires current flow), the system measures capacitance changes between the measurement electrode and the cell material, providing indirect but harmless detection of cell material contact.
3Device complexity
If the electrode is reused for different culture dishes, then device complexity is reduced, but thorough cleaning is required to prevent cross-contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle to the measurement electrode by making it an integral part of the picking tool that is discarded with each use. This eliminates the need for cleaning or replacement of separate electrodes, as the entire tool including the measurement electrode is disposed of after single use, preventing cross-contamination without adding device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the measurement electrode with the picking tool body, making them an integrated unit. This combination means that when the picking tool is discarded, the measurement electrode is automatically discarded with it, eliminating the need for separate electrode cleaning or replacement procedures and simplifying the overall system.
4Reliability
If extensive device cleaning or replacement is performed to prevent cross-contamination, then contamination prevention is improved, but time-consuming manual intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable picking tools that are discarded after single use, automatically preventing cross-contamination without requiring any cleaning or replacement operations. This eliminates time-consuming manual intervention while maintaining high reliability in preventing cross-contamination, thereby improving processing speed and productivity.
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 method reliably and efficiently picks up cell material without harming it, reducing contamination risks and the need for extensive device cleaning, while allowing for automated operation and cost-effective, fast processing.
Implementation Method 1
the step of determining contact between the picking tool and the cell material is performed by carrying out capacitive measurements
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
In a method for picking up cell material from a culture dish a picking tool is displaced towards the cell material. Contact between the tool and the cell material is determined by carrying out capacitive measurements. After contact the tool is removed from the cell material. In an assembly for performing said method a support made of electrically conducting material supports the dish. A measurement device determines the start electrical capacity of the system composed of picking tool and support in a starting position of the tool, and determines the electrical capacity of the system when lowering the tool towards the dish. The measurement device provides signals representing the electrical capacity to a controller, which comprises a comparator for performing a comparison of the electrical capacity during lowering of the tool with the start electrical capacity. The controller controls the positioning of the tool at least based on this comparison.