Meniscus Reducing Member for Cell Culture Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cell culture vessels and well-plates face challenges in reducing meniscus curvature when holding aqueous liquids, leading to optical interference and uneven liquid distribution, which complicates imaging and biological assays.
Innovation Solution
A meniscus reducing member is introduced, featuring physical surface features and coatings that alter the receding contact angle between the liquid and the vessel's interior surface, typically between 75 to 110 degrees, to minimize meniscus curvature and optical interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional cell culture vessels are used to hold aqueous liquids, then the vessels can contain and transport the liquid, but the meniscus curvature causes optical interference and uneven liquid distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a hydrophobic coating material to specific regions of the vessel interior surface, particularly near the liquid meniscus zone, while leaving other regions uncoated or differently coated. This localized modification of surface properties creates a receding contact angle of approximately 90 degrees at the meniscus region, reducing meniscus curvature and optical interference without requiring complete vessel reconstruction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the contact angle parameter of the vessel interior surface by applying coating materials with specific hydrophobic properties. By controlling the receding contact angle to be approximately 90 degrees, the meniscus curvature is minimized, thereby reducing optical interference during imaging while maintaining the vessel's basic containment function
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the vessel interior surface is modified to reduce meniscus curvature, then optical interference is reduced, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic coating material is applied to the vessel interior surface during the manufacturing process, before the vessel is put into service. This preliminary coating application ensures that the receding contact angle is properly established from the beginning, eliminating meniscus curvature issues without requiring additional steps by the end user. The coating can be applied using standard industrial coating techniques, integrating smoothly into existing manufacturing workflows
3Measurement precision
If the receding contact angle is adjusted to reduce meniscus magnitude, then imaging quality improves, but the liquid distribution uniformity may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrophobic coating is applied selectively to specific regions of the vessel interior, particularly targeting the meniscus zone where optical interference occurs during imaging. By confining the coating to these specific regions rather than applying it uniformly across the entire vessel interior, the patent maintains proper liquid distribution in the bulk while reducing meniscus curvature only where needed for imaging quality
Solution Approach 2:
The coating distribution is designed to be asymmetric or non-uniform, with different coating densities or types in different vessel regions. This asymmetric coating pattern allows the meniscus region to have a receding contact angle of approximately 90 degrees for reduced curvature, while other regions maintain properties that promote uniform liquid distribution, thus resolving the contradiction between imaging quality and liquid distribution stability
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 reduces meniscus magnitude and optical interference, allowing for clearer imaging and improved biological assays by maintaining a flat meniscus even during physical disturbances and routine handling.
Implementation Method 1
The first, second and third surfaces are configured to physically alter a receding contact angle between the liquid and the physical surface feature
Implementation Method 2
The coating material is configured to chemically alter the receding contact angle between the liquid and the at least one of the first inner surface, second inner surface and third surface of the physical surface feature that is coated with the coating material
Data Source
AI summary
A meniscus reducing member for use in a vessel for containing a liquid may include a physical surface feature overlying at least a portion of an interior surface of the vessel. The physical surface feature may have first and second inner surfaces that are generally parallel and at least a third surface extending between the first and second surfaces. The first inner surface, second inner surface and third surfaces may be configured to physically alter a receding contact angle between the liquid and the physical surface feature. A coating material may be applied to at least one of the surfaces of the physical surface feature to chemically alter the receding contact angle between the liquid and the coated surface whereby the receding contact angle formed between the liquid and the meniscus reducing member is between about 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.