Microwell Particle Encapsulation Through Sliding Wipe Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for encapsulating particles in microwells face challenges in achieving uniform distribution and sealing, leading to inefficiencies and potential contamination of inspection apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

A particle encapsulation method involving a microwell device with a base plate and wiping member, where detection particles are introduced, packed, and sealed using a sliding motion to remove excess medium, ensuring uniform encapsulation and preventing contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If particles are loaded into microwells using conventional methods (hydrophilic liquid medium introduction or adhesive tape with roller), then particles can be encapsulated in microwells, but uniform encapsulation is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform encapsulationVSAvoidencapsulation process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The encapsulation process is divided into distinct sequential steps: introducing hydrophilic liquid medium containing particles, then introducing hydrophobic liquid medium to push out the hydrophilic medium. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, ensuring uniform particle distribution and encapsulation while simplifying the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes in liquid medium properties (hydrophilic to hydrophobic transition) to achieve uniform encapsulation. By changing the surface tension and wettability parameters of the liquid medium, the system achieves controlled displacement of media and uniform particle distribution without complex mechanical operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If adhesive tape and roller method is used for sealing microwells, then microwells can be sealed, but redundant liquid medium remains inside microwells causing non-uniform sealing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing qualityVSAvoidliquid medium removal uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the redundant hydrophilic liquid medium from inside the microwells by introducing hydrophobic liquid medium that pushes it out through the same opening used for particle introduction. This extraction step ensures complete removal of redundant medium before sealing, eliminating the cause of non-uniform sealing while maintaining reliable sealing quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If conventional encapsulation methods are used, then particles can be encapsulated, but inspection apparatus becomes stained and measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement timeVSAvoidapparatus staining

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful presence of redundant liquid medium into a beneficial controlled displacement process. By using hydrophobic liquid medium to push out hydrophilic medium in a controlled manner, the system prevents staining of inspection apparatus while maintaining complete particle encapsulation, thereby reducing measurement time without sacrificing sealing quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 method enhances the efficiency of particle encapsulation, reduces measurement time, and minimizes apparatus staining while maintaining a clear observation range for detection.

Implementation Method 1

a wiping member (12) configured to be capable of moving the dispersion medium (18b) present outside the microwells (13) to an outside of the array (14) by being slid in a first direction under a state of being brought into contact with the upper surface (11a) of the base plate (11)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS20250290921A1Particle encapsulation method, microwell device, and target substance detection method

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 CANON KK

AI summary

Provided is a particle encapsulation method including: a preparing step of preparing a microwell device including: a base plate having arranged in an upper surface thereof an array formed of a plurality of microwells; and a wiping member; an introducing step of introducing a dispersion medium containing detection particles into the array; a packing step of packing the detection particles into the microwells; a removing step of removing the dispersion medium present outside the microwells; and a sealing step of sealing the microwells with a sealing medium, wherein the removing step includes sliding the wiping member in a first direction under a state in which the wiping member is brought into contact with the upper surface of the base plate, to thereby move the dispersion medium present outside the microwells to an outside of the array.