Disposable Slide With Overflow Channel For Cell Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for counting and analyzing sperm cells in semen samples are costly, prone to inaccuracies due to boundary effects, and limited by small sample volumes, making them unsuitable for efficient and accurate analysis in artificial insemination techniques.
Innovation Solution
A disposable, cost-effective analysis device featuring a transparent plastic slide with recessed chambers and a mating optically clear cover, allowing capillary action and overflow channels to facilitate accurate cell counting without boundary interference, enabling extended observations and addition of substances under magnification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional cell counters use precision optical plates to minimize boundaries, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable slide with a printed boundary layer instead of expensive precision optical plates. The slide is inexpensive to manufacture and can be discarded after single use, eliminating the need for costly sterilization and reuse processes while maintaining adequate counting precision for the application
Solution Approach 2:
The boundary layer is implemented as a printed porous structure on the slide that allows fluid to pass through while defining the counting chamber boundaries. This porous approach creates effective boundaries for cell counting without requiring solid, expensive optical plates, thus reducing manufacturing cost while preserving measurement functionality
2Device complexity
If disposable devices rely exclusively on capillary action for loading, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to air bubble introduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the source of air bubbles by designing the loading mechanism to introduce fluid directly at the edge of the boundary layer, bypassing the need for fluid to travel through air-filled spaces. The fluid is deposited directly into the counting chamber area, eliminating air bubble formation that would otherwise occur with traditional capillary loading from a reservoir
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the boundary layer itself as an intermediary structure that guides fluid flow. By positioning the fluid inlet at the edge of this layer and utilizing its capillary properties, the system reliably draws fluid into the counting chamber without introducing air bubbles, combining simplicity with reliability
3Volume of stationary object
If conventional devices accommodate very small liquid quantities, then device size is reduced, but duration of action decreases due to specimen drying out
Solution Approach 1:
The slide is designed with distinct functional zones: a reservoir area for holding the bulk sample and a separate counting chamber area for observation. This segmentation allows the device to accommodate larger total sample volumes while maintaining a controlled, smaller observation area, thereby extending the duration over which observations can be made without the specimen drying out
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 provides a low-cost, accurate, and repeatable method for cell counting and viability assessment, allowing for extended observations and the addition of substances, improving the analysis of sperm cells by minimizing boundary effects and accommodating larger sample volumes.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid flows into the viewing cavity by capillary action
Data Source
AI summary
A transparent plastic slide has a recessed chamber which receives a transparent plastic cover. The cover has a fluid inlet opening which overlies a recessed center well in the slide. The well has a sloping ramp which extends to a viewing platform which has a surface which is closely spaced from the underside of the cover to define a constant thickness viewing cavity surrounding the well. An overflow channel surrounds the viewing platform. A vent hole extends through the cover above the overflow channel. The sample is introduced into the center well through the fluid inlet opening. The fluid flows into the viewing cavities by capillary action, and is free to overflow the viewing cavities and be received within the overflow channel, thus reducing boundary effects. An inlet port may be provided above the viewing platform to permit substances to be added to a sample while it is under observation.