Grooved Microtiter Plate Lid for Headspace-Free Oxygen Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for sealing samples in test tubes and microtiter plates using oil layers are inefficient, labor-intensive, and leave gaseous headspace that slows oxygen concentration detection, interfering with the interrogation of oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent probes.

Innovation Solution

A stopper or lid formed from an oxygen barrier material with longitudinally extending grooves that projects into the test tube or well, creating peripheral outlet channels to displace fluid and eliminate headspace, allowing for efficient oxygen concentration measurement using oxygen-sensitive photoluminescent probes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an oil layer is used to seal the sample, then the sample is sealed from fluid communication with the surrounding environment, but gaseous headspace remains trapped underneath the oil layer which slows detection of oxygen concentration changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoiddetection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the gaseous headspace from under the oxygen barrier layer by providing outlet channels that allow trapped gas to escape. This extraction of the harmful gaseous headspace eliminates the delay in oxygen concentration detection while maintaining the sealing function of the barrier layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The outlet channels serve as an intermediary structure between the sample and the oxygen barrier layer, providing a controlled pathway for gaseous headspace to escape while allowing the barrier layer to maintain its sealing function. This mediator resolves the conflict between sealing and headspace elimination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If an oil layer is used to seal the sample, then the sample is sealed from fluid communication, but the oil layer is not an effective oxygen barrier and is difficult to deploy consistently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoiddeployment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the reusable oil layer with a disposable outlet channel structure that is integrated into the seal assembly. This disposable component provides consistent, reliable sealing and effective oxygen barrier properties without the deployment difficulties of oil layers, as it can be pre-formed and simply placed into position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining an oxygen barrier layer with an outlet channel structure, creating a integrated seal assembly that provides both effective sealing and efficient oxygen barrier properties. This composite approach overcomes the limitations of using oil alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Loss of time

If a stopper with grooves is inserted to eliminate headspace, then gaseous headspace is removed and detection speed improves, but the implement must be precisely configured to allow probe interrogation through it

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection timeVSAvoidimplement configuration precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper is segmented with multiple grooves that create separate outlet channels, allowing the implement to eliminate headspace while maintaining optical pathways for probe interrogation. The segmented structure provides both headspace removal functionality and optical transparency requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stopper has different local properties: the grooves provide gas escape pathways while the bulk material maintains optical transparency for probe interrogation. This local differentiation of properties allows the single component to satisfy multiple conflicting requirements.

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

The solution effectively seals samples from fluid communication while maintaining efficient oxygen concentration measurement by eliminating gaseous headspace, facilitating quick and easy implementation without interfering with probe interrogation.

Implementation Method 1

formed from an oxygen barrier material configured and arranged to longitudinally and sealingly project into a cavity of a test tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxygen barrier: Diffusion Barrier

Implementation Method 2

measuring and monitoring oxygen concentration within the tube or well by measuring and monitoring oxygen concentration within the tube or well using oxygen-sensitive photolumiscent probes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS12350674B2Headspace eliminating microtiter plate lid and method of optically measuring well oxygen concentration through the lid

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

An implement for eliminating headspace in the testing space(s) (T9 or MPWell) of a test tube (T) or microtiter plate (MP), and methods of using such implements to measure oxygen concentration in a test sample. The implement projects into a test chamber (T9 or MPWell) to displace a portion of a fluid sample within the test chamber (T9 or MPWell) and has longitudinally extending grooves (109 and 229) through which the displaced fluidic content can be discharged from the test chamber (T9 or MPWell).