Liquid Sample Containment Rings for Plate Compression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for containing liquid samples in assay devices face issues with sample flow-out, leading to contamination and reduced capillary force due to changing contact angles, and limited maximum sample volume without flow-out, especially when plates are compressed.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sample containment ring with features such as wells, trenches, or walls on the plates to prevent sample flow-out, allowing for a larger maximum storage volume relative to the sample contact area, and enabling uniform sample compression between plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If two planar plates are used for compressing liquid sample, then the device structure is simple, but sample flows out from the edge during compression
Solution Approach 1:
The plate surface is segmented into a sample contact area and a sample containment area by introducing a sample containment ring. This segmentation prevents sample flow-out while maintaining overall device simplicity. The containment ring divides the plate function into distinct zones with different purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample containment ring introduces different local properties to different areas of the plate. The sample contact area maintains planar properties for easy compression, while the sample containment area features wells, trenches, or walls that locally prevent sample flow-out.
2Reliability
If sample containment ring with wells/trenches/walls is added, then sample flow-out is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sample containment ring structure is a simplified copy of natural containment forms (wells, trenches, walls) that efficiently prevent flow-out using minimal material and structural complexity. These geometric features replicate effective containment strategies found in nature and other systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample containment ring can be implemented as a thin film or shell structure that is easy to manufacture and integrate. The ring forms a flexible yet effective barrier that prevents sample flow-out without requiring thick or complex structural elements.
3Volume of moving object
If plates are compressed to reduce sample thickness, then sample is contained in thin layer, but sample flows out from edge
Solution Approach 1:
The sample containment ring is pre-configured on the plate before sample deposition and compression. This preliminary structure creates anti-action against the expected sample flow-out force that occurs during compression, preventing the harmful effect before it can manifest.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample containment ring is prepared in advance on the plate surface, creating a pre-formed barrier that guides sample containment during the subsequent compression process. This preliminary preparation ensures that when compression occurs, the sample is already constrained within the designated contact area.
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 solution effectively prevents sample flow-out, maintains capillary force, and increases the maximum storage volume, ensuring reliable and contamination-free sample containment during assays.
Implementation Method 1
since the capillary force that holds the two plates together depends on the contact angle between the sample and the plate surface, a sample flowing-out will change the contact angle and can make the capillary force much smaller
Implementation Method 2
a flowable sample is first deposited on one or both plates when the two plates are in an open configuration, followed by bring the two plates together to compress the sample between two plates; wherein the compression reduces a thickness of the sample
Data Source
AI summary
Among other things, the present disclosure is related to devices and methods for containing a liquid sample between two plates.