Microstructured Substrate Grooves Liquid Sample Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing liquid samples face challenges in maintaining precise positioning, fluidic and chemical stability, and preventing cross-contamination, with issues such as uncontrolled liquid spreading, bubble formation, and evaporation, especially when using traditional glass slides and coverslips.
Innovation Solution
A microstructured substrate with a central analysis cavity and surrounding grooves, where the total volume of the grooves is greater than or equal to 0.05 times the volume of the cavity, helps control liquid distribution and prevent bubble formation by ensuring a regular flow of liquid, thus maintaining sample stability and preventing evaporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a glass coverslip is placed over the liquid sample on a glass slide, then the sample can be observed and analyzed, but air bubbles may be trapped between the coverslip and sample, and particles may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the sample support into multiple functional zones: a central analysis zone for sample deposition and surrounding collection channels for excess liquid. This segmentation prevents uncontrolled spreading and eliminates the need for extensive sealing operations that could trap air bubbles, while the structured zones protect particles from damage during handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a specialized microstructured substrate as an intermediary between the glass slide and coverslip. This substrate features capillary channels that actively manage liquid distribution and provide a controlled interface, preventing direct contact between excess liquid and the sealing interface, thereby eliminating air bubble formation without requiring aggressive sealing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the coverslip is held in place by capillary action, then air bubbles and particle damage are avoided, but the liquid sample spreads uncontrollably across the slide surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different surface properties to different regions of the substrate. The central analysis zone has specific capillary properties that confine liquid, while the surrounding collection channels have enhanced capillary attraction to draw excess liquid away. This local differentiation of surface properties enables precise control over liquid distribution, maintaining the benefits of capillary action while preventing uncontrolled spreading.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the capillary parameters (surface energy, pore size, channel geometry) of the substrate to create zones with different liquid wettability. The analysis zone is designed with parameters that repel excess liquid, while the collection channels have parameters that attract and channel liquid flow. This parameter variation enables controlled liquid distribution without uncontrolled spreading.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the sample is enclosed by gluing the coverslip to the slide, then evaporation is prevented and sample stability is improved, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires experienced users
Solution Approach 1:
The invention designs the microstructured substrate to self-regulate liquid containment through its capillary channel structure. The channels automatically wick away excess liquid and maintain a stable liquid meniscus at the analysis zone without requiring external sealing materials or skilled manual operations. This self-service mechanism eliminates evaporation and stabilizes the sample while being simple enough for routine use by any operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the traditional gluing process and replaces it with passive capillary containment. The microstructured channels actively manage liquid distribution and create a stable meniscus that prevents evaporation without requiring adhesive materials or complex sealing operations, thereby eliminating the need for experienced users and significantly reducing preparation time.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If wax is used to fix the coverslip, then sample evaporation is prevented during long-term observations, but the sample cannot be retrieved and the process requires skilled operators
Solution Approach 1:
The microstructured substrate provides self-contained liquid management through its capillary channel network, which maintains a stable liquid environment for long-term observations without requiring wax or other sealing materials. The structured channels automatically prevent evaporation while allowing simple, tool-free sample removal, eliminating the need for skilled operators and enabling easy sample retrieval.
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 microstructured substrate allows for precise positioning and maintenance of the liquid sample without bubbles, reduces evaporation, and prevents cross-contamination, enhancing the reliability and reproducibility of analysis results.
Implementation Method 1
the grooves being continuous and/or not communicating with each other... the sum of the volumes of the second grooves being equal to V2, the volume V1+V2 being greater than or equal to 0.05 V0... helps control liquid distribution and prevent bubble formation by ensuring a regular flow of liquid
Implementation Method 2
maintaining sample stability and preventing evaporation... reduces evaporation... The microstructured substrate allows for precise positioning and maintenance of the liquid sample without bubbles, reduces evaporation, and prevents cross-contamination
Data Source
Figure 1~2.a
Figure 2.b~2.d
Figure 3.a~3.c
AI summary
The present invention relates to a microstructured substrate for supporting a liquid sample comprising a lower face and an upper face which comprises, on the one hand, at least one surface cavity of volume V0 opening onto said upper face and forming a zone for analysing the liquid sample and, on the other hand, a first groove having a first volume V1, positioned around each surface cavity and opening onto the upper face thereof. According to the invention, this substrate is characterized in that it also comprises at least one second groove (14, 15, 16) opening onto the upper face thereof and positioned around the first groove (13), the sum of the volumes of the second grooves being equal to V2, the volume V1+V2 being greater than or equal to 0.05 V0, preferably 0.1 V0. The invention also relates to an analysis assembly comprising the substrate and the use thereof.