Microtiter Plate Bubble Trap for Photometric Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microtiter plates with multiple fluid chambers for sample testing face issues with air or gas bubbles interfering with measurements due to outgassing, leading to turbulent flows and inaccurate photometric results.
Innovation Solution
A microtiter plate design featuring fluid channels with a bubble trap mechanism, where the top wall has a recess or projection to trap air bubbles, preventing them from migrating into measurement chambers and reducing pressure differences to minimize turbulent flows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If fluid channels connect measurement chambers, then fluid flow between chambers is enabled, but air bubbles can migrate through channels and interfere with measurements
Solution Approach 1:
A bubble trap structure is introduced as an intermediary element within the fluid channel. This bubble trap acts as a mediator that allows fluid to pass through while intercepting and retaining air bubbles, preventing them from reaching measurement chambers. The bubble trap serves as a buffer zone that separates the harmful effect (air bubbles) from the measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The bubble trap design extracts air bubbles from the fluid stream by providing a dedicated retention space. Air bubbles are separated from the continuous fluid flow and held in the bubble trap region, removing them from the path to measurement chambers and preventing interference with photometric measurements.
2Measurement precision
If air bubbles are present in measurement chambers, then measurement accuracy deteriorates, but removing bubbles requires additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The bubble trap functionality is merged directly into the fluid channel structure itself. The bubble trap is formed as an integrated part of the channel geometry, combining the fluid transport function with the bubble retention function in a single unified structure, thereby avoiding additional separate mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The bubble trap utilizes the natural buoyancy of air bubbles and the existing fluid flow dynamics to automatically trap and retain bubbles without requiring external control systems or additional energy input. The structure itself provides the bubble removal function through its geometric design, making the system self-sufficient.
3Ease of manufacture
If fluid channels have uniform cross-section, then manufacturing is simplified, but pressure differences cause turbulent flows
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid channel cross-section is designed with varying dimensions at different locations. The channel has a larger cross-sectional area at the bubble trap location and smaller cross-sectional areas at measurement chamber connections. This local variation in geometry creates favorable pressure distributions that reduce turbulence while maintaining manufacturability through injection molding.
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 bubble trap effectively prevents air bubbles from entering measurement chambers, ensuring accurate photometric measurements by reducing turbulent flows and optimizing fluid flow between chambers.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid channel is assigned a bubble trap, by way of which the movement of air or gas bubbles which move along a top wall, closing or enclosing the fluid channel upwardly, of the fluid channel, the top wall extending in particular from the first to the second fluid chamber, can be stopped
Data Source
AI summary
A microtiter plate, preferably in the form of an injection-molded part composed of plastic, having at least one first and one second fluid chamber, which are designed in particular as measurement chambers and are connected to one another by a fluid channel which, in cross section, is closed or enclosed on all sides or all the way round, and the fluid channel is assigned a bubble trap, by way of which the movement of air or gas bubbles moving along a top wall portion or a top wall of the fluid channel, the top wall portion or the top wall closing or enclosing the fluid channel upwardly, in particular from one fluid chamber to another fluid chamber, can be stopped.