Elastomeric Sealing Device for Microplate Optical Focusing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing devices for microplates in real-time PCR fail to provide a gas-tight seal while allowing clear light path for excitation and emission, often requiring separate sealing steps and additional lenses, which are costly and labor-intensive, leading to suboptimal results.

Innovation Solution

A sealing device made of thermoplastic elastomer, capable of forming light-refracting geometries under pressure and heat, which simultaneously seals and focuses light for each sample well, eliminating the need for pre-fabricated lenses and separate sealing steps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional sealing devices are used, then gas-tight sealing is achieved, but light path clarity is compromised and separate lens components are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sealing function and optical lens function into a single integrated sealing device. The elastomeric sealing member is formed with lens portions that directly contact the well surfaces, eliminating the need for separate lens components while maintaining both gas-tight sealing and optical clarity for real-time detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides gas-tight sealing to prevent vapor loss and contamination, maintains optical clarity for light transmission, and focuses light through integrated lens portions. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall system while improving performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate sealing steps are performed, then sealing is achieved, but preparation time and labor increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal formationVSAvoidpreparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines sealing and lens positioning into a single simultaneous operation. The elastomeric sealing member is compressed against the well surfaces in one step, achieving both gas-tight sealing and proper lens alignment without requiring separate sealing and lens installation steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lens portions are pre-formed as integral parts of the elastomeric sealing member before the sealing operation. This preliminary formation of the optical geometry eliminates the need for subsequent lens installation or adjustment steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If pre-fabricated lenses are used, then optical focusing is achieved, but cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal detection sensitivityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The optical lens function is merged into the sealing member itself. The elastomeric material is formed with lens portions that provide the necessary optical focusing capability, eliminating the need for separate pre-fabricated lens components and reducing overall manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If conventional sealing films are used, then sealing is achieved, but seal quality degrades due to poor bonding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal integrityVSAvoidsealing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses compression as a physical parameter to achieve both sealing and lens positioning simultaneously. By applying compressive force to the elastomeric sealing member, the material deforms to conform to the well surfaces, creating a gas-tight seal while the integrated lens portions maintain proper optical alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides a robust, cost-effective, and efficient method for sealing microplates, enhancing signal sensitivity through focused optics while preventing sample contamination and vapor loss, and reducing preparation time.

Implementation Method 1

forming light-refracting, typically light-focusing, geometry individually for each of the sample spaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

applying pressure, and, optionally heat, on the sealing device so as to deform the sealing device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal deformation: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS8183033B2Methods for preparing and performing analyses

Publication Date: 2012.05.22 BIOINNOVATIONS

AI summary

The invention relates to methods for preparing and performing quantitative PCR analyses, a new sealing device and a new use. According to the invention, a sample vessel containing the samples to be analyzed is sealed by placing a planar sealing device on the vessel to cover the samples and applying pressure on the sealing device in order to deform the sealing device so as to form a light-refracting geometry individually for the samples to be analyzed. The invention offers a convenient way of sealing the vessel and forming analysis-improving optical lenses over the samples simultaneously.