Hydrophobic Markable Coating for Microscope Slide Liquid Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microscope slides with opaque epoxy coatings are ineffective in preventing the flow of aqueous and non-aqueous liquids, especially when containing detergents or solvents, due to their limited mechanical barrier and inability to repel processing chemicals like alcohols and oils.

Innovation Solution

A permanent, etchable, and laserable hydrophobic coating is applied to the microscope slides, which provides a liquid containment border by repelling aqueous, non-aqueous, hydrophobic, and lipophobic liquids, using materials like Teflon, silicones, and fluoropolymers, and can be developed using methods such as laser etching or photoactivation to create visible and machine-readable indicia.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If opaque epoxy coatings are used on microscope slides, then marking adhesion is improved, but liquid containment capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarking adhesionVSAvoidliquid containment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a composite coating system consisting of multiple layers: a bottom layer providing marking adhesion and a top hydrophobic layer providing liquid containment. This multi-layer composite structure combines the advantages of different materials to simultaneously achieve both marking adhesion and liquid containment capabilities that single-layer coatings cannot provide alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates different surface properties at different locations and depths of the coating. The bottom layer has properties optimized for ink adhesion while the top layer has properties optimized for liquid repellency. This local differentiation of material properties allows each layer to perform its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If raised mechanical barriers are used to prevent liquid flow, then liquid containment is improved, but effectiveness against detergent-containing liquids deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid containmentVSAvoidliquid migration with detergents

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surface energy parameters of the coating by applying a hydrophobic top layer with low surface energy. This parameter change transforms the surface from being wettable by aqueous and detergent-containing liquids to being repellant, effectively preventing liquid migration without relying on mechanical barriers that can be overcome by surfactants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical barrier approach (raised edges) with a chemical/physical barrier approach (hydrophobic surface properties). Instead of relying on mechanical elevation to prevent liquid flow, the system uses surface chemistry to create a repellant effect that actively prevents liquid wetting and migration, which is more effective against detergent-containing liquids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If processing liquids are allowed to flow freely on slides, then ease of operation is improved, but sample loss and liquid migration increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid applicationVSAvoidsample loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a thin film hydrophobic coating applied directly to the slide surface that creates an invisible but effective barrier. This thin film approach maintains the flat, easy-to-use surface of the slide while providing liquid containment, unlike thicker mechanical barriers that would interfere with operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 hydrophobic coating effectively prevents liquid migration, allowing for the containment of processing liquids on the slide, eliminating the need for additional stickers or labels and enhancing the visibility of markings, thus improving the efficiency of automated staining protocols.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

Laser etching instruments are known, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,919,553 and 5,683,786, each of which is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Hand etching, hand scribing, mechanized etching or scribing, and laser etching which are known and used today in the laboratory setting remove only a portion of the epoxy coated area producing a permanent indicium that is visualized by seeing the clear glass underneath the epoxy coating that has been removed.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentUS12085489B2Analytic plates with markable portions and methods of use

Publication Date: 2024.09.10 ANGROS LEE H

AI summary

An analytic plate or other substrate having a permanent etchable, laserable, and/or developable marking surface coating (referred to herein as an “etchable coating” or as a “developable coating”) that is present on at least a portion of any side or surface thereof and is used to deposit a permanent indicium thereon, and a method of using the analytic plate or substrate.