Multiwell Plate Dispensing Device with Capillary Borings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for applying liquids to sample carriers are time-consuming, imprecise, and prone to cross-contamination, especially when handling small, variable volumes, and require complex and expensive equipment with fixed spot spacing and high dead volumes.
Innovation Solution
A device with small borings in multiwell plates that utilize capillary pressure and a compressed air plunger to precisely control liquid dispensing, allowing for direct, variable, and simultaneous application of liquids to any position on sample carriers without cross-contamination, using standardized multiwell plates and minimizing dead volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If simple metering methods with pipettes are used, then operation is simple, but time consumption increases and precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the multiwell plate itself as the dispensing device through integrated borings in the plate base. The plate serves its own function of both containment and dispensing, eliminating the need for separate pipettes or complex dispensing mechanisms. This self-service approach maintains operational simplicity while dramatically increasing throughput by enabling simultaneous dispensing from multiple wells.
2Reliability
If pipette tips are exchanged after each sampling, then cross-contamination is prevented, but device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and eliminates the pipette tip component entirely by using the multiwell plate base itself as the dispensing element. The borings are integral to the plate structure, removing the need for detachable tips that would require frequent exchange. This extraction simplifies the system while maintaining contamination prevention through the sealed boring design.
Solution Approach 2:
The function of the pipette tip is merged with the multiwell plate base structure. The borings are directly formed in the plate base, combining the containment function of the plate with the dispensing function of the tip. This merging eliminates the interface between separate components, preventing cross-contamination while reducing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a print head with microchannels is used, then liquid can be dispensed, but dead volume increases and cleaning requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and eliminates the microchannel structure by using direct borings through the plate base. This removes the long channels that create dead volume, allowing liquid to be dispensed directly from the well through a short, direct path. The extraction of this intermediate structure minimizes liquid retention and eliminates the need for cleaning channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiwell plate itself serves as a disposable dispensing device. Rather than cleaning and reusing complex print heads with microchannels, the entire plate can be discarded after use. This approach eliminates dead volume issues and cleaning requirements by using a single-use platform that integrates both containment and dispensing functions.
4Productivity
If the print head is filled before printing, then printing can take place, but device complexity and cleaning requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multiwell plate performs its own dispensing function through integrated borings, eliminating the need for a separate fillable print head. The plate is loaded with samples in its wells and dispenses directly from those wells through the borings. This self-service approach removes the complex pre-filling step while maintaining efficient printing capability.
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
Enables rapid, precise, and economical dispensing of small liquid volumes directly from multiwell plates, reducing the risk of contamination and allowing for flexible pattern printing on sample carriers, with no need for extensive cleaning or equipment modification.
Implementation Method 1
the bases of the depressions of the device according to the claim for receiving and dispensing liquids have very small borings so that the capillary pressure in the boring is greater than the pressure due to the liquid level. Hence leakage is prevented.
Implementation Method 2
Via a pulse, such as for example a pneumatic pressure pulse, a sample, the volume of which is controlled via the number of drops and the pulse duration, can be removed.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus providing for receiving liquids and for applying liquids on sample carriers.