Liquid Sample Carrier for Electron Microscopy Observation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electron microscope devices cannot directly observe liquid samples due to the inability of sample holders or observation stages to carry liquid samples, limiting user observation capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A sample carrier device with a single substrate featuring a penetration structure and fixing structure, allowing for the formation of a fluid passage that can carry liquid samples, enabling direct observation under an electron microscope by separating and sealing ports to isolate the sample.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional sample holder or observation stage is used, then the device structure is simple, but the liquid sample cannot be carried for observation
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a substrate portion and an observation portion that can be separated. The observation portion containing the fluid passage is separated from the substrate portion before observation, allowing the liquid sample to be carried while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A membrane structure is introduced as an intermediary between the liquid sample and the observation environment. The membrane allows the liquid sample to be contained within the fluid passage while permitting observation through it, solving the contradiction between carrying liquid and enabling observation.
2Ease of operation
If the operation portion is separated to expose ports for sampling, then the liquid sample can be loaded, but the ports need to be sealed to isolate the sample
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is pre-integrated into the observation portion during manufacturing. The sealing portion is formed as part of the original structure, so that when the operation portion is separated, the ports are automatically positioned for sampling and can be sealed without adding complex external sealing mechanisms.
3Productivity
If the fluid passage is formed on a single substrate, then the production yield is improved, but the structure needs to integrate multiple functions
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate portion and observation portion are merged into a single integrated device formed on one substrate. The fluid passage, membrane, and sealing structures are all integrated into this single substrate, simplifying manufacturing and improving production yield while maintaining functional complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A sample carrier device including a single substrate, a penetration structure and a fixing structure is provided. The penetration structure is formed on a side of the substrate. The penetration structure has a fluid passage. The fixing structure is formed on a side of the penetration structure. The sample carrier device is divided into an end portion, an observation portion and an operation portion. The user can separate the observation portion from the end portion by operating the operation portion. After the observation portion is separated from the end portion, the user can inject the sample into the fluid passage through a port of the fluid passage exposed to the observation portion. Once the sample is carried by the fluid passage of the observation portion, the user can seal the port of the fluid passage and place the observation portion in an electron microscope device.