Humidity Control Apparatus for Microplate Evaporation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the miniaturization of well plates, evaporation of solvents like water from small sample volumes in chemical, biochemical, and biological processes leads to concentration changes, affecting reaction outcomes and analysis accuracy, and existing methods like lidding or vapor exchange control temperature rather than humidity, limiting process flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A relative humidity control apparatus using a nebulizer to create a controlled atmosphere around titer plates, allowing free access for pipetting and independent temperature selection, with a frame and flow drive arrangement to manage humidity levels, and optional sensors for feedback control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a lid or foil is used to cover the wells, then evaporation of samples is prevented, but access to the wells is blocked and cross-contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
A humidity-controlled atmosphere serves as an intermediary medium between the sample and the surrounding environment. The apparatus creates a controlled humidity zone over the well plate surface, allowing evaporation prevention without physical barriers, thus maintaining both sample protection and well accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a pneumatic approach by controlling the humidity of the gas atmosphere above the samples. A humidity-controlled atmosphere is generated and maintained over the well plate, replacing the need for mechanical lids while achieving the same evaporation prevention effect.
2Loss of substance
If a lid or foil is used to cover the wells, then evaporation of samples is prevented, but cross-contamination between wells may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The humidity-controlled atmosphere acts as a non-contact intermediary that prevents evaporation without creating physical barriers between wells. This eliminates the risk of sample transfer between wells that occurs with lid removal and placement, while still maintaining individual well integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of lid coverage (evaporation prevention) while removing the harmful aspect (physical contact between lid and samples). By controlling humidity in the air space above the wells, the solution achieves protection without the contamination risk of mechanical lidding.
3Ease of operation
If the opening of wells is not covered, then access for pipetting is maintained, but evaporation of samples increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies pneumatic control by regulating the humidity of the gas atmosphere over the open well plate. This allows the wells to remain physically accessible for pipetting while the controlled humidity environment prevents excessive evaporation, combining both benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
A controlled humidity atmosphere serves as a non-intrusive intermediary that protects open samples from evaporation without interfering with pipette access. The humidity control acts through the air medium rather than through physical contact, maintaining full operational access.
4Loss of substance
If temperature is controlled by vapor exchange, then evaporation is reduced, but temperature selection is limited by solvent vapor pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates humidity control from temperature control by using pneumatic humidity regulation independent of thermal conditions. This allows temperature to be freely selected for process requirements while humidity is controlled through a separate mechanism, providing both evaporation prevention and temperature flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the control functions by independently managing humidity and temperature. Humidity control is achieved through one mechanism while temperature can be controlled separately, allowing each parameter to be optimized independently rather than being coupled through vapor exchange equilibrium.
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
Effectively reduces evaporation while maintaining sample temperature flexibility, ensuring consistent reaction conditions and preventing cross-contamination, even with small sample volumes in micro or nanotiter plates.
Implementation Method 1
a nebulizer source (10) having an outlet (12) for nebulized liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A relative humidity control apparatus for control of the relative humidity in a gas space has a nebulizer source with an outlet for nebulized liquid, a frame surrounding an open area and comprising an opening arrangement to the open area and in operational flow connection with the outlet, and a flow drive arrangement generating a gas flow from the outlet to and out of the opening arrangement. A liquid handling robot comprising this apparatus, a method of operating the apparatus, an immunoassay method and methods of controlling the time course of the relative humidity in a gaseous space and of producing a predetermined volume of a liquid are also disclosed.