Multiwell Plate Voids for Well Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of fiducial markers on multiwell plates for identifying wells is cumbersome and inefficient, as they require additional manufacturing steps, occupy valuable space, and can interfere with microfluidic properties, making it difficult to maximize the number of wells and efficiently image the plate.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating voids or 'omitted wells' into the plate design, which serve as spatial references to encode position information, allowing for direct identification of wells without fiducial markers, thereby maximizing space and simplifying imaging by using the voids to orient and align the imaging device's field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fiducial markers are used to identify wells, then well identification is enabled, but manufacturing complexity increases and valuable space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes fiducial markers from the well plate design entirely. Instead of adding external markers, the invention uses the geometric arrangement of wells themselves and void spaces between them to encode position information, thereby eliminating the need for separate identification structures and reducing manufacturing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the identification function with the structural arrangement of wells. The void spaces between wells are integrated into the overall well geometry to serve as positional references, combining what were previously separate functions (structural support and identification) into a unified design.
2Measurement precision
If fiducial markers are added to the plate, then well identification is improved, but the number of usable wells decreases due to space occupation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for separate fiducial markers by extracting the identification function from external markers and embedding it within the well array geometry itself, allowing every space on the plate to be utilized for either wells or void-based positioning references.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the two-dimensional arrangement of void spaces between wells to encode positional information that would traditionally require external markers. By leveraging the spatial relationships in the existing well grid, the system achieves identification without additional physical elements.
3Measurement precision
If fiducial markers are incorporated into the plate, then well identification is enabled, but microfluidic properties are interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes fiducial markers that would otherwise interfere with microfluidic flow paths. By using only the void spaces between wells for positioning information, the invention eliminates external structures that could obstruct fluid movement or alter microfluidic properties within the wells.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple imaging is performed without voids, then imaging coverage is achieved, but position correlation between images becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses void spaces as intermediary reference points between multiple imaging fields of view. These voids serve as recognizable landmarks that appear across adjacent images, enabling the system to correlate positions and maintain spatial relationships throughout the entire plate area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-arranges void spaces in specific patterns during plate manufacturing to encode positional information before imaging occurs. This preliminary geometric encoding ensures that when multiple images are captured, the position correlation can be immediately established through recognition of these pre-positioned void references.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention provides a plate (1; 2) comprising an array of wells (11; 21) for chemical or biological reactions, wherein each of the wells (11; 21) comprises a reaction chamber with at least one opening (111; 211) on a surface (12; 22) of the plate (1; 2). The array of wells (11; 21) consist of a plurality of adjacent blocks (13; 23) of wells (11; 21), wherein each block (13; 23) of wells (11; 21) consists of a plurality of adjacent rows of wells (11; 21), and wherein at least one void (14; 24) is provided in each block (13; 23) of wells (11; 21) in between the rows of wells (11; 21). Here, the void (14; 24) is particularly part of the surface (12; 22) of the plate (1; 2) and lacks a well opening (111; 211). Furthermore, a method for multiple imaging of such a plate (1; 2) by means of an imaging system is provided with the present invention.