Modular Well Covers for Cross-Contamination Control in In Vitro Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vitro exposure systems face issues with cross contamination between replicate wells due to extended exposure during sampling, which current methods like increased purge air duration only partially address, introducing additional variables and not preventing contamination from deposited debris.
Innovation Solution
A modular well plate cover system using stainless-steel covers with magnetic locking pins isolates individual wells, allowing rapid covering and uncovering, reducing exposure time and preventing contamination from ambient sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the well plate is left uncovered during sampling for extended periods, then ease of access to wells is improved, but cross contamination between wells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The well plate cover is divided into individual removable covers for each well, allowing selective covering of specific wells while leaving others accessible. This segmentation enables researchers to access individual wells for sampling without exposing the entire plate, thereby preventing cross contamination between wells while maintaining ease of operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If purge air duration is increased to reduce contamination, then cross contamination is reduced, but additional variables are introduced and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs simple, disposable or easily decontaminated well covers that provide immediate physical isolation between wells. This approach replaces complex purge air systems with simple barrier elements that can be quickly deployed and discarded or sterilized, reducing both contamination risk and system complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If individual well covers are used to isolate wells, then cross contamination is reduced, but time to cover/uncover wells increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual well covers are integrated into a single modular well plate cover assembly that can be handled as one unit. This merging allows researchers to cover or uncover multiple wells simultaneously by manipulating a single integrated structure, thereby reducing the time required while maintaining effective isolation between wells.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the well plate is covered rapidly to reduce exposure time, then cross contamination is reduced, but access to individual wells becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The well plate cover system is segmented into individually removable covers for each well, allowing rapid covering of the entire plate to prevent contamination while enabling easy access to individual wells when needed. Each well cover can be independently removed or installed, providing both rapid protection and selective access.
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 system effectively minimizes cross contamination by isolating wells, reduces exposure time, and maintains experimental flexibility, while being reusable and decontaminatable, thus enhancing throughput and reducing contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
stainless-steel covers with magnetic locking pins
Data Source
AI summary
A contamination guard for an in vitro exposure system includes a plurality of well covers. Each of the plurality of well covers further includes a locking pin and a cover, the cover configured to cover a well in the in vitro exposure system to isolate the well from contamination; and a modular well plate cover, the modular well plate cover configured to align the plurality of well covers over a well plate of the in vitro exposure system.