Microplate Wells With Opaque Bottoms for Visual Filling Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual filling of microplates for chemical reactions, such as PCR, is prone to errors due to the difficulty in distinguishing between filled and empty wells, especially in smaller plates where the small volumes and transparent design make it hard to visualize the liquid content.
Innovation Solution
A microplate design featuring wells with a partially transparent sidewall and an opaque region on the bottom, which changes appearance when filled with liquid, allowing for visual differentiation between filled and empty wells, either by the naked eye or with an illumination device, to reduce filling errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If microplates use transparent sidewalls for optical detection, then optical detection capability is improved, but visual identification of filled wells deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by incorporating an opaque region (typically a black dot or ring) at the bottom of each well. This opaque region creates a visual contrast that changes when liquid is added - the liquid fills the well and obscures the opaque region from above, providing a clear visual indicator of well filling status while maintaining transparent sidewalls for optical detection.
2Quantity of substance
If smaller microplate dimensions are used to reduce sample volume, then sample volume requirement is reduced, but visual visualization of well filling deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The opaque region at the well bottom provides a high-contrast visual marker that is clearly visible even in smaller microplate formats. When the well is empty, the opaque region is visible through the transparent bottom; when filled, the liquid obscures it, providing clear visual feedback regardless of plate size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the well bottom into distinct regions: a transparent area and an opaque indicator region. This segmentation creates a clear visual distinction that enhances well identification in compact plate formats without interfering with the chemical reactions or optical detection performed in the well.
3Ease of operation
If manual filling of microplates is performed to maintain operational flexibility, then operational flexibility is maintained, but filling accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The visual contrast provided by the opaque region enables operators to easily distinguish filled from empty wells during manual loading, significantly reducing filling errors while maintaining the flexibility of manual operation. The clear visual feedback allows for immediate detection and correction of filling mistakes.
Solution Approach 2:
The opaque region provides immediate visual feedback during the filling process. As liquid is added to the well, the changing appearance of the opaque region (from visible to obscured) gives real-time feedback to the operator, enabling accurate control of the filling process and preventing overfilling or missed wells.
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 opaque region on the microplate wells enhances visibility, reducing manual filling errors and allowing for accurate identification of filled and empty wells, improving the reliability of chemical analysis results.
Implementation Method 1
the bottom comprises an opaque region... allowing optical detection of the opaque region
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a microplate comprising a plurality of wells and methods and systems comprising such microplates, wherein an individual well comprises an opaque or non-transparent surface at or near the bottom of the well. The microplates herein can provide improved visualization of the process of filling a well with a liquid reagent. The microplates can be configured to perform chemical analysis, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or nucleic acid detection.