Cell Counting Slide With Peripheral Reservoir for Uniform Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cell counting slides often result in uneven cell distribution due to non-uniform flow and concentration gradients, leading to inaccurate cell concentration measurements, particularly at the center of the counting chamber.

Innovation Solution

A cell counting slide design featuring one or more reservoirs along the periphery of the counting chamber, with dams to slow down the cell suspension flow, ensuring even distribution across the counting area by filling the reservoirs before entering the counting chamber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional pipetting method is used to introduce suspension through a notch, then the procedure is simple and quick, but cell distribution becomes uneven with higher concentration at sides and lower concentration at center

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity and quickness of cell counting procedureVSAvoiduniformity of cell distribution across the chamber
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The chamber is segmented into multiple regions with different functions: a loading notch for suspension introduction, a reservoir area for temporary storage, and a counting chamber with grid lines. This segmentation allows the suspension to be introduced through a simple notch while ensuring uniform distribution through the reservoir design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A reservoir is introduced as an intermediary component between the loading notch and the counting chamber. The reservoir acts as a mediator that receives suspension from the notch and distributes it uniformly across the counting chamber, preventing direct flow that would cause uneven concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If reservoir is added to slow down flow and improve distribution, then cell distribution uniformity improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of cell distributionVSAvoidstructural complexity of the slide
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir is merged with the chamber structure, forming an integrated component rather than a separate addition. The reservoir utilizes the same notched cover slip design, combining the functions of suspension introduction and uniform distribution into a single structural element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The reservoir is positioned specifically at the loading side of the chamber where suspension introduction occurs. This localized modification provides the necessary flow control and distribution uniformity without requiring changes to the entire slide structure or adding complex mechanisms throughout the chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 achieves a more uniform cell distribution across the counting area, improving the accuracy of cell concentration measurements by maintaining consistent cell concentration throughout the chamber.

Implementation Method 1

a dam within said reservoir arranged to slow down flow of a cell suspension from said reservoir to said cell counting section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow control:

Data Source

PatentEP2524262B1Cell counting slide with lateral reservoir for promoting uniform cell distribution
Publication Date: 2016.04.06 BIO RAD LABORATORIES INC
  • EP2524262B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2524262B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2524262B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Cells in a suspension are counted in a hemocytometer slice with a chamber of controlled depth and one or more reservoirs along one or more side edges of the chamber. The suspension is fed to a reservoir to first fill the reservoir, and then to overflow into the chamber. The result is an even distribution of the cells in the chamber.