Microplate Reader Magnetic Lid Lifter for Evaporation Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microplate readers face challenges with sample evaporation and gas exchange issues when using lids, which hinder optical measurements and require laborious and potentially damaging lid removal and reattachment, especially during long-term biological or biochemical tests.
Innovation Solution
A microplate reader with an integrated magnetic lid holding apparatus that allows for the lifting and replacement of microplate lids within the reader, enabling lid-free optical measurements while maintaining gas exchange and allowing for automated agent injection and long-term test monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a microplate lid is used to prevent evaporation during long-term tests, then sample volume loss is reduced, but gas exchange is restricted leading to oxygen and carbon dioxide deficiency in the wells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic lid system that can transition between closed and open states. The lid is automatically closed during incubation periods to prevent evaporation, and automatically opened during measurement periods to restore gas exchange. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting the lid state to the specific operational phase, ensuring both evaporation prevention and gas exchange are satisfied at different times in the experimental cycle.
2Loss of substance
If a microplate lid is kept closed to maintain evaporation prevention, then sample volume is preserved, but optical measurements are hindered and automated agent injection becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls lid position based on operational mode. During optical measurements and automated agent injection, the lid is automatically opened to provide unobstructed access to the microplate wells. During incubation phases, the lid is closed to prevent evaporation. This temporal separation of lid states enables both evaporation prevention and measurement accessibility without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The microplate reader system automatically manages lid opening and closing based on the measurement protocol, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The system self-regulates the lid state according to whether measurement or incubation is the current operation, ensuring optimal conditions are maintained automatically throughout the experimental cycle.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual lid removal and reattachment is performed between measurements, then gas exchange is restored, but labor time increases and sample contamination risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs lid opening and closing operations automatically without requiring manual intervention. The automated lid mechanism is controlled by the microplate reader's software based on the measurement protocol, eliminating the need for operators to manually remove and reattach lids between measurements. This automation reduces both time loss and contamination risk while maintaining gas exchange when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated lid mechanism acts as an intermediary between the measurement system and the microplate. It mediates the transition between closed and open states based on operational requirements, performing the gas exchange restoration function automatically rather than requiring direct manual handling of the lid and samples.
4Loss of substance
If a microplate lid is used during incubation, then evaporation is prevented, but the reader is blocked for extended periods preventing measurement cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic lid control that switches between closed and open states based on the experimental phase. During incubation periods, the lid remains closed to prevent evaporation. During measurement cycles, the lid is automatically opened to enable optical measurements and agent injection. This dynamic switching allows the reader to perform multiple measurement cycles throughout long-term experiments while maintaining evaporation prevention during incubation, thereby increasing overall productivity.
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
Enables efficient optical measurements on lid-free or covered microplates, supports standard microplate use, ensures gas exchange, and allows for automated testing and monitoring of long-term kinetics without the need for manual lid manipulation, reducing sample damage and contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
The lid holding apparatus is arranged as a magnetic lifter and comprises a non-array arrangement of at least one: (i) permanent magnet, or (ii) electro magnet, or (iii) switchable permanent magnet
Data Source
AI summary
Microplate reader has a housing, at least one optical measuring/detection device, a microplate support, a moving unit and an integrated lid holding apparatus. The lid holding apparatus moves the microplate in one respective, at least approximately vertical direction for moving the microplate lid away from the microplate. The lid holding apparatus is arranged inside the housing as a magnetic lifter and comprises a non-array arrangement of at least one permanent magnet, or at least three electro magnets, or at least one switchable permanent magnet. Each microplate lid to be moved away from the microplate comprises magnetizable material with a physical area. A projected area of the at least one permanent magnet, electro magnet, or switchable permanent magnet is smaller than the physical area of the magnetizable material of the microplate lid.