Light-Absorbent Well Plate Structure for Clear Cell Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Common well plates emit optical signals such as luminescence, auto-fluorescence, and light scattering, and have monolithic structures that encourage cell growth on sidewalls, hindering imaging and analysis.
Innovation Solution
A well plate design featuring a substrate with a primary structure and a light-absorbent secondary structure, comprising sub-walls that define sub-wells, made from a polymerized solid or hydrogel with a high light-absorbing pigment, reducing optical interference and promoting cell growth on the bottom surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If commonly used well plate materials are employed, then the well plate structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but optical signals such as luminescence, auto-fluorescence, and light scattering are emitted causing interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using a light absorbent secondary structure that converts the harmful optical interference into beneficial light absorption. The secondary structure absorbs stray light and reduces optical noise, transforming the problem of light scattering and fluorescence into a solution where light is deliberately absorbed to enhance imaging contrast and reduce interference signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining a primary structure (substrate with wells) and a secondary structure (light absorbent material). This composite design integrates two different functional materials: the primary structure provides the basic well plate functionality while the secondary structure provides light absorption properties, together solving both manufacturing simplicity and optical interference issues.
2Ease of manufacture
If a monolithic structure is used, then the well plate is simple to manufacture, but cells grow on sidewalls hindering imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the well plate structure into distinct components: a primary structure (substrate with wells) and a secondary structure (light absorbent material attached to the first side). This segmentation allows the secondary structure to be positioned specifically at the bottom of each well to guide cell attachment, solving the focal plane uniformity issue while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying the light absorbent secondary structure specifically at the bottom regions of the wells where cell attachment is desired. This localized modification creates different functional zones: the secondary structure promotes cell attachment at the bottom while the sidewalls remain unchanged, ensuring cells grow in the correct focal plane without compromising overall manufacturing simplicity.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a light absorbent secondary structure is added, then optical interference is reduced, but the well plate structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the secondary structure to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it absorbs light to reduce optical interference, provides a surface for cell attachment, and maintains structural integrity of the well plate. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity while achieving multiple benefits.
4Ease of operation
If cells are allowed to grow freely, then cell behaviour observation is simple, but cells in different focal planes confound the images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing a pre-configured light absorbent secondary structure at the bottom of each well before cells are introduced. This pre-arranged structure proactively guides cell attachment to the correct focal plane, preventing the problem of cells growing in multiple planes rather than merely correcting it after the fact, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving imaging precision.
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 design minimizes optical interference and ensures all cells are in the same focal plane, enhancing imaging clarity and facilitating automated analysis by providing high contrast and reduced cell adhesion.
Implementation Method 1
the materials used to fabricate commonly used well plates are known to emit optical signals, such as from luminescence, auto-fluorescence, birefringence or light scattering. These optical signals may provide an undesirable confounding signal during a cellular assay. As such, there remains a desire for well plates fabricated at least in part from materials that are optically absorbent.
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the invention provides a well plate. The well plate may comprise a substrate, a primary structure attached to a first side of the substrate and a light absorbent secondary structure attached to the first side of the substrate. The primary structure may comprise a plurality of walls wherein the plurality of walls and the substrate together define a plurality of wells. The secondary structure may comprise, within each of the plurality of the wells, a plurality of sub-walls wherein each plurality of sub-walls and the substrate together define a plurality of sub-wells.