Headspace-Eliminating Microtiter Plate Lid With Magnetic Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microtiter plates suffer from warping issues that lead to inaccuracies and lack of sensitivity and consistency in assay measurements, particularly when using large arrays, and existing solutions fail to meet Society for Biomolecular Screening (SBS) compliance and provide consistent measurement heights.
Innovation Solution
A microtiter plate assembly comprising a base, lid, magnetic plate adapter, and force distributing plate, where at least one of the components is made of magnetic or paramagnetic material, providing sufficient force to reduce warping and maintain consistent height clearances, ensuring compatibility with existing plate readers and SBS standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If weights or clamps are applied to stabilize large microtiter plates, then warping is reduced, but the solution becomes incompatible with existing plate readers due to size and weight requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization system is divided into multiple discrete magnets distributed across the plate adapter rather than using a single large weight or clamp. This segmentation allows the force to be applied at multiple points while keeping each individual magnet small enough to fit within standard plate reader specifications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical stabilization methods (weights, clamps) with a magnetic field-based system. Magnets embedded in the plate adapter exert magnetic forces on the plate without requiring physical contact or additional mechanical components, thereby achieving stabilization while maintaining compatibility with plate readers
2Stability of the object's composition
If magnets are used to stabilize microtiter plates, then warping is reduced, but the magnets either fail to provide adequate force, fail weight requirements, or interfere with measurements due to their size
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple magnets are positioned at specific locations across the plate adapter corresponding to different well positions. Each magnet provides localized stabilization force where needed, allowing the system to achieve overall plate stability while using small magnets that do not interfere with measurements in any particular well
Solution Approach 2:
The plate adapter serves as an intermediary component that houses the magnets and distributes their stabilizing forces to the microtiter plate. This intermediary structure allows the magnets to be positioned optimally for stabilization while maintaining a compact form factor that does not interfere with plate reader measurements
3Measurement precision
If projections on the lid are used to achieve high sensitivity, then measurement sensitivity is improved, but inconsistent height clearances result in poor measurement consistency across wells
Solution Approach 1:
The force distributing plate creates a uniform force field across all wells by distributing magnetic forces evenly. This equipotential approach ensures that each projection experiences the same downward force, maintaining consistent height clearances across all wells while preserving the sensitivity provided by the projections
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 assembly significantly reduces warping to 30% or less and maintains a low coefficient of variation in height clearance, enhancing sensitivity and consistency in measurements, even with low sample volumes, while being compatible with existing equipment.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one magnet provides a force sufficient to reduce warping of the lid
Data Source
AI summary
A microtiter plate assembly is disclosed that includes a base having a plurality of wells, a lid having a lid and a plurality of projections corresponding to the plurality of wells, a magnetic plate adapter including at least one magnet, and a force distribution plate that includes, or is coated with a magnetic or paramagnetic material. The magnetic plate adapter and the force distribution plate provide an amount of force necessary to reduce warping of large microtiter plate assays without increasing the footprint of the microtiter plate.