Microplate Thermal Convection for Pump-Free Cell Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cell culture systems lack the ability to introduce physiologically relevant fluid flow without adding complexity, reducing throughput, or interfering with analysis, and fail to maintain even seeding density and cell suspension.
Innovation Solution
A cell retention apparatus with convective flow is introduced, utilizing a microplate-based array of microfluidic wells with heaters or coolers to generate controllable temperature gradients, creating convection currents within and between wells, and employing features like evaporative cooling, heated pins, or serpentine channels to drive fluid movement without external pumps or hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional pumps, hydraulic heads or rocking devices are used to introduce fluid flow, then physiological relevance is improved, but device complexity increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical pumping systems with a thermal field-based system. Temperature gradients are applied to the microplate to induce natural convection currents in the cell culture media, eliminating the need for mechanical pumps, hydraulic heads, or rocking devices while maintaining physiological flow conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state parameters of the cell culture media by applying controlled temperature gradients. By varying temperature across different regions of the microplate, natural convection is induced, creating fluid flow without mechanical intervention
2Reliability
If traditional pumps or hydraulic heads are used to create fluid flow, then in vivo flow conditions are simulated, but ease of operation deteriorates due to interference with sample analysis
Solution Approach 1:
Mechanical flow generation devices are replaced with a thermal field approach. Temperature-controlled zones beneath the microplate create convection currents that simulate in vivo flow conditions without mechanical components that would interfere with sampling and analysis operations
3Speed
If conventional thermal gradient systems are used (laser induced or electrical resistance), then convective flow is generated, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex laser or electrical resistance heating systems are extracted and replaced with simple resistive heating elements integrated into the microplate base. This maintains the ability to generate thermal gradients while dramatically simplifying the overall device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a simple, low-cost microplate design with integrated heating elements that can be disposed of after single use, eliminating the need for expensive, complex thermal gradient systems while achieving the same convective flow effect
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 apparatus maintains cell suspension for even seeding, facilitates mixing without physical manipulation, and enhances physiological relevance by simulating in vivo flow conditions, improving cell viability and reaction homogeneity while allowing robotic sampling and real-time monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
A microplate-based array of microfluidic wells has a heater or cooler which generates controllable temperature gradients within and/or between the wells... These gradients create convection currents within the well that generate flow
Implementation Method 2
a well or depressed plate cavity with an evaporate liquid or desiccant therein, adjacent a sample well
Data Source
AI summary
A cell retention apparatus with convective flow is provided. In another aspect, a microplate-based array of microfluidic wells has a heater or cooler which generates controllable temperature gradients within and/or between the wells, such as in an injection molded and/or disposable cell culture well plate. These gradients create convection currents within the well that generate flow or within connecting microchannels between wells. A further aspect induces controlled thermal convection currents within wells of a microtiter plate to drive fluid movement.