Compartmented Microplate for Pipette-Free Sample Transfer and Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microplates struggle to combine the requirements of cell culturing and imaging due to differing optical and fluid mechanics characteristics, necessitating separate microplates for each step, which is labor-intensive, risky, and reduces experimental throughput.
Innovation Solution
A microplate design with dividing elements that separate donor and receiver compartments, allowing samples to be transferred between them without pipetting by changing the plate orientation, ensuring optimal conditions for both culturing and imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate microplates are used for culturing and imaging, then optimal conditions for each application are achieved, but the process becomes labor-intensive, time-consuming, and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (cell culturing, imaging, and sample transfer) into a single microplate system. The microplate includes both donor and receiver compartments with optical characteristics suitable for imaging, eliminating the need to transfer samples between separate microplates and thereby maintaining both optimal culturing/imaging conditions and high experimental throughput
2Ease of operation
If samples are transferred between microplates via pipetting, then sample transfer is achieved, but contamination, sample loss, and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the microplate itself with integrated donor and receiver compartments) that enables direct sample transfer without external pipetting. The microplate acts as a self-contained system where samples can be transferred internally, eliminating the need for external pipetting operations that pose contamination and safety risks
Solution Approach 2:
The microplate is designed to perform sample transfer automatically through its own structure (using gravity or pressure differential between compartments), without requiring external manual intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the need for operator-performed pipetting, thereby reducing contamination risks and safety hazards
3Ease of operation
If pipetting is used to transfer samples, then sample transfer is achieved, but time and labor resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The microplate enables automatic sample transfer through its integrated design, where samples move from donor to receiver compartments without requiring manual pipetting operations. This self-service mechanism dramatically reduces the time and labor resources needed for sample transfer while maintaining ease of operation
4Productivity
If a single microplate is used for both culturing and imaging, then productivity is improved, but meeting both optical and fluid mechanics requirements becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical and fluid mechanical characteristics to different regions (compartments) of the same microplate. The donor and receiver compartments are designed with specific local properties optimized for their respective functions, allowing the microplate to meet both culturing and imaging requirements simultaneously while maintaining high 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
Enables safe, efficient, and high-throughput transfer of samples between compartments without contamination or loss, maintaining optimal conditions for both culturing and imaging without the need for manual pipetting.
Implementation Method 1
the dividing element is configured to contain one of the plurality of samples within one of the donor or receiver compartments when the microplate is in a first orientation
Implementation Method 2
the dividing element is configured to allow the sample to be transferred at least from the donor compartment to the receiver compartment of one of the plurality of sample cavities when the microplate is in a second orientation
Data Source
AI summary
A microplate for containing a plurality of samples includes a plurality of sample cavities, each sample cavity including at least one dividing element which divides the sample cavity into at least a donor compartment and a receiver compartment. The dividing element is configured to contain one of the samples within one of the donor or receiver compartments when the microplate is in a first orientation. The dividing element is further configured to allow the sample to be transferred at least from the donor compartment to the receiver compartment of one of the sample cavities when the microplate is in a second orientation. A method for transferring a sample between compartments of the microplate is also disclosed.