Flexible Silicone Sample Mat for Mixing and Embedding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for mixing and embedding small volumes of liquids or suspending substances face challenges such as waste generation, storage space requirements, breakage, contamination risks, and sterility issues, particularly in laboratory settings.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a mat with a planar surface and recesses bounded by a non-planar bottom wall, made of resilient silicone-based material, designed for efficient mixing and embedding operations, which is sterilizable and adaptable to fit within culture vessels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If rigid vessels or surfaces are used for mixing and embedding operations, then structural stability is improved, but breakage and shattering risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidbreakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible membrane made of elastomeric material that can be deformed to access samples. This flexible structure provides both structural stability for containing samples and flexibility to avoid breakage during manipulation, directly resolving the contradiction between rigidity and breakage risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Productivity

If frequent users store multiple vessels or surfaces, then mixing and embedding operations can be performed, but storage space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing and embedding capabilityVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane device is designed to be reusable and can perform multiple mixing and embedding operations after sterilization. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple single-use vessels, reducing storage space requirements while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If samples are removed from rigid vessels or surfaces with steep wall architectures, then mixing operations are completed, but sample recovery becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing operation completionVSAvoidsample recovery difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane can be deformed and manipulated to easily access and recover samples. The flexible nature allows the membrane to conform to various shapes and facilitates sample retrieval without the difficulties associated with rigid vessels having steep walls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Productivity

If certain vessels or surfaces are used for mixing operations, then mixing can be performed, but contamination risks increase due to inadequate segregation and sterilization issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing capabilityVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent describes embodiments where flexible membranes can be disposed of after single use, eliminating contamination risks entirely. Alternatively, the membranes can be sterilized for reuse, providing flexibility in managing contamination concerns while maintaining mixing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS12383904B2Device for manipulating samples

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 STEMCELL TECHNOLOGIES CANADA INC

AI summary

This disclosure is directed to a method and device for manipulating a sample, such as a biological sample. A device of this disclosure includes mat having a top planar surface spaced apart from a bottom planar surface and a recess formed in the top planar surface extending toward the bottom planar surface, the recess having an opening at the top planar surface and bounded by a non-planar bottom wall. By way of example, a device of this disclosure may be used to embed an aggregate of cells, such as an embryoid body or a neuralized embryoid body, within extracellular matrix.