Multi-well Plate Lid with Segmented Fittings and Gas Permeable Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-well plate lids fail to effectively prevent evaporation and edge effects, leading to inconsistent assay results and well-to-well cross-contamination, especially in high-throughput screening applications, due to loose fitting and inadequate gas exchange.
Innovation Solution
A gas-permeable multi-well plate lid with a locally-thinned portion and additional gas-permeable material in apertures, designed for snug fitting with the plate, minimizing evaporation and cross-contamination while allowing controlled gas exchange, made from durable polymer materials for robotic handling and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a loose-fitting lid is used to cover the multi-well plate, then ease of operation and automation are improved, but evaporation and edge effects increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into a main body and multiple separate fittings that engage with individual wells. This segmentation allows the lid to maintain a secure seal at each well level while the overall structure remains easy to handle and install as a single unit, resolving the contradiction between secure fitting and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fittings are designed with specific local characteristics (friction fit geometry) that provide secure engagement with well openings, while the main body of the lid maintains a simple design for easy handling. This local differentiation of quality allows simultaneous achievement of secure sealing and operational ease.
2Extent of automation
If a loose-fitting lid is used, then automation compatibility is improved, but well-to-well cross-contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the sealing function into individual fittings for each well, the design prevents aerosol and condensate migration between wells while maintaining a simple overall structure that is compatible with automated handling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fittings act as intermediary elements between the lid and each well, providing a physical barrier that prevents cross-contamination while allowing the lid itself to remain a simple, automation-friendly component.
3Loss of substance
If sealing tape or supplemental films are used to prevent evaporation, then evaporation control is improved, but automation compatibility and ease of use deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex, reusable sealing systems with a simple, disposable lid design that provides effective evaporation control through its integrated fittings, eliminating the need for supplemental sealing materials and simplifying automation protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporation control function is merged directly into the lid structure through the fittings, combining the sealing and covering functions into a single component that is both effective and automation-compatible.
4Loss of substance
If a tight-fitting lid is used to minimize evaporation, then evaporation control is improved, but gas exchange capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fittings provide localized tight sealing at the well openings to control evaporation, while the main body of the lid remains open to allow gas exchange. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between sealing and gas exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is segmented to only where it is needed (at the well openings via fittings), while other areas (the main lid body) remain open for gas exchange, achieving both evaporation control and gas exchange simultaneously.
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 solution significantly reduces evaporation and cross-contamination, ensuring uniform conditions across wells, improving assay reproducibility and compatibility with high-throughput screening, while being cost-effective and easy to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
The lid further comprises a gas permeable membrane
Implementation Method 2
The gas permeable membrane comprises a locally-thinned portion of the main body
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A lid for a multi-well plate having apertures, each aperture having a gas permeable membrane, and fittings extending from the bottom surface of the lid to fit with a multi-well plate to reduce evaporation of liquid contents from within the wells of the multi-well plate, protect the contents of a multi-well plate from spilling or from mingling with the contents of a neighboring well in a multi-well plate is disclosed. The gas permeable membrane comprises one or more of (i) a continuous or discontinuous thin film associated with each aperture, (ii) a locally-thinned portion of the main body, and (iii) a quantity of material at least partially filling each aperture.