Meniscus Reducing Member for Cell Culture Vessels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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
The introduction of a meniscus reducing member with a physical surface feature on the interior wall of the vessel, featuring parallel surfaces and an intersecting third surface, configured to alter the receding contact angle between the liquid and the surface to approximately 90 degrees, combined with a hydrophobic or superhydrophobic coating material, such as silicone-based or nano-particle based coatings, to minimize meniscus formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the interior wall surface of the vessel is modified to reduce meniscus curvature, then optical interference is reduced and imaging is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional surface features or coatings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-coating the interior wall surface with hydrophobic or superhydrophobic coating materials and pre-forming physical surface features during manufacturing. This prepares the surface in advance to control meniscus formation, eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustments during liquid handling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by modifying only specific regions of the interior wall surface where meniscus formation occurs, rather than altering the entire vessel. The physical surface features and hydrophobic coatings are applied locally at the liquid-air interface region, reducing optical interference without requiring global structural changes.
2Shape
If a physical surface feature is added to alter contact angle, then meniscus magnitude is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the contact angle parameter through hydrophobic coating materials rather than requiring precise geometric control of physical features. The coating materials (silicone-based, fluoropolymer-based, or nanoparticle-based) chemically alter the surface energy to achieve the desired contact angle, reducing sensitivity to geometric manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining hydrophobic coating materials with the base vessel material to create a composite surface. This composite structure provides both the mechanical integrity of the vessel and the surface properties needed for meniscus control, reducing the precision requirements for the physical surface features themselves.
3Shape
If hydrophobic coating material is applied to the surface, then receding contact angle is increased to approximately 90 degrees, but the ease of manufacture decreases due to additional coating steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining the physical surface feature formation and hydrophobic coating application into a single integrated manufacturing process. The coating materials are applied during the same manufacturing cycle as the physical feature formation, eliminating separate coating steps and reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by using coating materials that automatically spread and conform to the physical surface features during application. The hydrophobic coatings self-assemble on the surface features, reducing the need for precise control and manual intervention during the coating process.
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
This solution effectively reduces meniscus magnitude and optical interference, allowing for clearer imaging and improved biological assays by maintaining a flat liquid surface, even during physical disturbances and varying liquid volumes.
Implementation Method 1
The coating material may be hydrophobic or superhydrophobic
Implementation Method 2
physically alter a receding contact angle between the liquid and the physical surface feature
Implementation Method 3
engage a free surface of a liquid in the vessel
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c
Figure 2
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 75 degrees and 110 degrees.