Micro Chamber Plate with Flowable Film for PCR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional micro chamber plates face challenges in efficiently injecting samples and removing bubbles and excess samples from micro chamber holes, leading to inaccurate and inefficient real-time PCR and other biological reactions.
Innovation Solution
A micro chamber plate with micro chamber holes formed using a flowable film allows for smoother sample injection and efficient bubble and excess sample discharge, preventing evaporation and cross-contamination, and enhancing optical measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If samples are injected using vacuum and/or centrifugal force, then sample injection can be achieved, but bubbles and excess sample cannot be efficiently discharged from micro chamber holes
Solution Approach 1:
The micro chamber plate utilizes dynamic pressure changes by switching between vacuum and positive pressure modes. During sample injection, vacuum draws samples into the chambers; afterward, positive pressure forces bubbles and excess samples out through discharge holes, enabling efficient bubble removal that static structures cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro chamber plate is divided into separate functional regions: sample injection holes for introducing samples, reaction chambers for the biochemical reactions, and discharge holes for removing bubbles and excess samples. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally, with discharge holes strategically positioned to enable bubble removal without interfering with the reaction process.
2Ease of manufacture
If micro chamber holes are formed with rigid structures, then manufacturing is easier, but sample injection smoothness and bubble discharge efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The micro chamber plate incorporates flexible film structures at the bottom of reaction chambers. These flexible portions deform under pressure changes to facilitate smooth sample injection and efficient bubble discharge. The film's flexibility allows it to adapt to pressure variations, creating a smoother sample flow path compared to rigid structures while remaining manufacturable using standard techniques.
3Productivity
If standard 96-well or 384-well plates are used for real-time PCR, then analysis of multiple genes is possible, but relatively large amounts of sample are required
Solution Approach 1:
The micro chamber plate dramatically reduces the volume parameter of reaction chambers from standard 96-well plate sizes to micro-liter or nano-liter scales. This parameter change allows analysis of multiple genes (maintaining high productivity) while requiring only minute amounts of sample (reducing quantity of substance), as each micro chamber requires far less reaction mixture than conventional wells.
4Ease of operation
If manual micropipetting is used to add samples to micro chambers, then individual sample addition is possible, but the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The micro chamber plate design merges multiple sample injection holes into a single integrated structure that can be filled using a single micropipette. The plate's internal geometry channels the sample from one injection point to multiple chambers, eliminating the need for separate micropipetting operations for each chamber and dramatically reducing the time required for sample addition.
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 micro chamber plate enables complete bubble removal and precise sample injection, increasing the accuracy and efficiency of real-time PCR and other enzymatic reactions by preventing evaporation and cross-contamination, and simplifying the injection process.
Implementation Method 1
air in the micro chamber holes 301 can be removed by application of a vacuum
Implementation Method 2
samples can be injected in a smooth manner by application of a vacuum and/or centrifugal force
Implementation Method 3
the flowable film 200 is restored to its original shape (removal of sagging), and at the same time, excess sample or bubbles in each micro chamber hole 301 can be smoothly discharged
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a micro chamber plate, and more particularly, to a micro chamber plate having micro chamber holes formed using a flowable film. Thus, samples can be injected into the micro chamber holes in a smoother manner compared to when samples are injected using a vacuum and/or centrifugal force. In addition, bubbles and excess samples in the micro chamber holes can be efficiently discharged, making it possible to perform reaction and analysis in a more accurate and efficient manner.