Microplate Filter Plate with Flexible Sealing for Centrifugal Filtration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional microplate filtering methods using centrifugal force can lead to sample liquid mixing due to gaps between guide walls and wells, compromising accurate analysis.

Innovation Solution

A microplate filter plate with a base portion, filter, and flexible packing member, ensuring liquid-tight sealing by pressing against the microplate during centrifugation, preventing sample liquid leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a filter plate with guide walls is used to filter sample liquid through centrifugal force, then the sample liquid can be drawn into the well through the filter, but the sample liquid may leak from the gap between the guide wall and the well and flow into an adjacent well

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidliquid tightness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a packing member made of flexible material (such as rubber or elastomer) that is pressed between the filter plate and the microplate to create a liquid-tight seal. This flexible element deforms to fill gaps and ensure complete sealing, preventing sample liquid from leaking into adjacent wells while maintaining the centrifugal filtration process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The packing member serves as an intermediary element between the filter plate and the microplate. It mediates the connection by providing a compliant sealing interface that adapts to slight variations in manufacturing tolerances, ensuring liquid tightness without compromising the filtration function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the microplate is set in a centrifuge in a state where the microplate is inclined near vertical, then the sample liquid can be drawn into the well by centrifugal force, but the sample liquid may spill out due to the inclination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentrifugal filtrationVSAvoidsample liquid spilling

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The packing member is pre-installed and pre-compressed to create a liquid-tight seal before centrifugal force is applied. This preliminary sealing action counteracts the potential harmful effect of sample liquid spilling during the inclined centrifugal filtration process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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

Prevents sample liquid mixing by maintaining liquid-tightness between the filter plate and microplate, ensuring accurate sample separation.

Implementation Method 1

a packing member having a plate shape and flexibility, the packing member being provided on one surface of the base portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the sample liquid is drawn into the well by a centrifugal force applied using a centrifuge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS20250249459A1Microplate filter plate

Publication Date: 2025.08.07 CSTEC CORP

AI summary

The microplate filter plate includes a base portion having a plate shape, the base portion including a first through hole provided at a position corresponding to each of a plurality of wells of a microplate, a filter provided in each of the first through holes, and a packing member having a plate shape and flexibility, the packing member being provided on one surface of the base portion and having a second through hole at a position corresponding to each of the first through holes.