Multi-well Cell Culture Device with Capillary Channels for Uniform Fluid Films
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antibiotic susceptibility testing methods require long incubation times (16-24 hours) due to the need for turbidity measurements, which limits the speed and accuracy of bacterial growth observations.
Innovation Solution
A multi-well-based rapid cell culture test device is designed to form fluid films with uniform thickness, featuring an array structure with capillary channels and barrier structures that minimize fluid level changes, allowing for accurate and rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional turbidity measurement methods are used for antibiotic susceptibility testing, then bacterial growth can be monitored, but the incubation time becomes excessively long (16-24 hours)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional turbidity measurement method (which requires long incubation to detect bacterial growth) with a direct imaging system that captures bacterial colonies at fixed locations. This substitution allows real-time observation of bacterial growth without waiting for turbidity changes, reducing incubation time from 16-24 hours to as short as 2 hours while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes optical imaging to detect bacterial growth through visual observation of colony formation and color changes in the agarose medium. By directly imaging the bacterial colonies and their surrounding medium, the system can rapidly assess bacterial growth and antibiotic susceptibility without relying on indirect turbidity measurements, thereby significantly reducing the required incubation time.
2Measurement precision
If the agarose medium is made thick to ensure adequate bacterial embedding, then bacterial growth observation is improved, but the distance variation from imaging areas to agarose-medium interfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the well into distinct functional regions: a lower reservoir containing the agarose medium and an upper imaging chamber containing the medium for optical observation. This segmentation allows the agarose to be thick enough for adequate bacterial embedding in the lower portion while maintaining a controlled, thin, and uniform medium layer in the upper imaging chamber. The barrier structure and capillary channel further segment the fluid distribution to ensure uniform thickness in the imaging area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-depth medium layer to a multi-level structure with the agarose medium positioned in a lower reservoir and a separate imaging chamber above it. This vertical dimensionality change allows the imaging area to be positioned at a fixed, optimal distance from the agarose-medium interface, ensuring uniform lighting and observation conditions while maintaining adequate agarose thickness for bacterial embedding.
3Manufacturing precision
If automated dispensing systems are used to control agarose and medium volumes, then quantitative dispensing can be achieved, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs capillary action and surface tension forces to automatically distribute the agarose and medium solutions throughout the well structure without requiring external pumping or dispensing mechanisms. The fluid naturally flows through the capillary channels and fills the reservoirs based on the geometric design, achieving quantitative volume distribution through passive physical forces rather than active automated control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces capillary channels and barrier structures as intermediary elements that mediate the fluid distribution process. These structural features act as passive regulators, controlling fluid flow and distribution through their geometric properties rather than requiring external control mechanisms. The capillary channels guide the fluid to specific locations, while the barrier structures control fluid levels, achieving precise volume control through intermediary structural elements.
4Reliability
If the barrier structure height is increased to prevent fluid overflow, then fluid containment is improved, but the capillary action and fluid distribution are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different barrier heights at different locations around the capillary channel: the barrier portion adjacent to one end of the capillary channel is taller than the barrier portion adjacent to the other end. This local variation in barrier height creates asymmetric fluid containment that promotes uniform fluid distribution through the capillary channel while preventing overflow. The taller barrier at one end compensates for the capillary action, ensuring balanced fluid levels throughout the structure.
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 device enables rapid antibiotic susceptibility testing by maintaining constant solid thin film heights, allowing for accurate observations of bacterial growth and bioactive agent responses within tens of minutes to several hours, thereby improving testing speed and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a capillary channel recessed from the bottom surface of the first sub-well while traversing the bottom surface is formed to accommodate the first fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a multi-well-based rapid cell culture test device designed such that fluid films with a uniform thickness are formed. The rapid cell culture test device has an array structure of a plurality of aligned well units, each of which includes a first sub-well in which a first fluid is accommodated and a barrier structure surrounding the first sub-well to define the area of the first sub-well. A capillary channel recessed from the bottom surface of the first sub-well while traversing the bottom surface is formed to accommodate the first fluid and the barrier structure is divided into a barrier portion A located adjacent to one end of the capillary channel and a barrier portion B located adjacent to the other end of the capillary channel.