Modular Titer Plate Assembly with Salt Bridge Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Titer plates with integrated sensing electronics are costly due to the need for per-well reference electrodes, and existing solutions that reuse electrodes risk contamination and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular titer plate assembly with detachable sensor and mainboard assemblies, featuring channels between wells that form salt bridges for differential sensing, eliminating the need for reference electrodes and allowing for reusable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If per-well reference electrodes are integrated into titer plates, then electro-chemical sensing capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sensing function into two separate components: working electrodes integrated into each well for measurement, and a shared reference electrode located on the mainboard. This segmentation eliminates the need for per-well reference electrodes, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining electro-chemical sensing capability through the use of salt bridges for electrical isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mainboard integrates a universal reference electrode that serves all wells simultaneously through electrical isolation via salt bridges. This multi-functional approach allows a single reference electrode to support electro-chemical measurements across multiple wells, reducing the total number of components needed and simplifying the overall device structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If per-well reference electrodes are integrated into titer plates, then electro-chemical analysis capability is improved, but replacement cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the reference electrode from individual wells and places it on the reusable mainboard, while working electrodes remain in disposable or replaceable titer plates. This segmentation allows the expensive reference electrode to be reused across multiple plate replacements, significantly reducing replacement costs while maintaining full electro-chemical analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables recovery and reuse of the mainboard containing the reference electrode, while allowing disposal or replacement of titer plates. This approach recovers the high-cost reference electrode component for repeated use, reducing overall replacement costs while preserving electro-chemical analysis versatility.
3Ease of manufacture
If electrodes are reused across multiple wells, then cost is reduced, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Salt bridges serve as intermediary elements that provide electrical isolation between the shared reference electrode and individual well solutions. This intermediary mechanism allows the reference electrode to be reused across multiple wells without direct contact with different samples, preventing contamination while maintaining cost-effectiveness through electrode reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the electrical circuitry using salt bridges that isolate the reference electrode from each well's solution chemically while maintaining electrical connection. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination between wells when using a shared reference electrode, enabling safe reuse across multiple samples.
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
Reduces replacement costs and facilitates electro-chemical analysis by enabling reusable sensor and mainboard assemblies, while maintaining accurate measurements through salt bridges, thus reducing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
featuring channels between wells that form salt bridges for differential sensing
Data Source
AI summary
A modular titer plate assembly includes a multi-well plate, a sensor assembly, and a mainboard. The multi-well plate includes a two-dimensional array of wells. The sensor assembly is detachably mounted to the multi-well plate. The sensor assembly includes a two-dimensional array of sensors aligned with the two-dimensional array of wells. The mainboard is detachably mounted to the sensor assembly.