Multiwell Plate Inversion for Focal Plane Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Standard multiwell plate devices pose challenges in rapid processing and analysis, particularly when the number of wells exceeds 96, as they require significant vertical movement during robotic processing, increasing time and risk of damage, and existing solutions for scanning from both above and below are either expensive or require detachment of the substrate, disrupting the focal plane.
Innovation Solution
A multiwell plate device with a frame, a substantially flat substrate, and a bottomless multiwell structure that can be engaged with the substrate using an adhesive layer, allowing for reconfiguration to maintain the reaction surface within the detectable focal plane of a scanning device without detachment, enabling scanning from both above and below.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of wells in a multiwell plate is increased beyond 96, then the analytical capacity is improved, but the processing time increases and the risk of damage to printing pins increases due to significant vertical movement required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical stacking (z-dimension) to horizontal arrangement (x-y plane) by inverting the multiwell structure and placing it on its side within the frame. This allows pins to access all wells horizontally at a constant depth, eliminating the need for vertical movement and enabling rapid processing of high-density plates without increasing processing time or damage risk
2Measurement precision
If analysis is performed from both above and below the reaction surface, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases requiring two separate analysis systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single analysis system universal by allowing the multiwell plate to be inverted within its frame. The same scanner can analyze from above when the plate is in upright position and from below when inverted, eliminating the need for two separate analysis systems while maintaining detection accuracy from both directions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic reconfigurability where the multiwell plate can be inverted within the frame depending on the analysis direction required. This dynamic adjustment allows a single system to adapt to different analysis needs (above or below scanning) without requiring multiple fixed systems
3Measurement precision
If the substrate is detached from the multiwell plate structure for analysis, then the focal plane is maintained, but the processing time increases and the risk of damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multiwell plate into two detachable components: the multiwell structure and the substrate, while maintaining their ability to be quickly reassembled. This allows the substrate to remain attached during processing (saving time) and be quickly detached for analysis (maintaining focal plane), with the frame providing stable positioning throughout
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the substrate and multiwell structure as pre-assembled units that can be quickly detached and reattached. The alignment features and frame positioning are pre-configured to enable rapid reassembly after analysis, minimizing the time loss associated with substrate detachment while maintaining focal plane alignment during measurement
Data Source
AI summary
A multiwell plate device is provided having a frame, a substantially flat substrate and a multiwell structure supported by the substrate. The multiwell structure includes multiple bottomless wells formed therein. The substrate is supported by the frame and may be processed by an automated arrayer or instrument that is used to print or spot arrays in a pattern on a reaction surface of the substrate. Thereafter, the multiwell structure may be engaged with the substrate and the multiwell structure and substrate may be engaged with the frame in an upright orientation. For scanning or other analysis, the multiwell structure and substrate may be disengaged from the frame, inverted 180°, and then reengaged with the frame in the inverted orientation.