Nematode Trap Plate with Recesses for Accurate Chemotaxis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nematode chemotaxis evaluation methods using C. elegans are cumbersome and prone to errors due to the diffusion of anesthetics, which affect nematode responses and make it difficult to ensure accurate counting of nematodes, leading to inconsistent results.
Innovation Solution
A nematode trap plate with a solid phase and recesses for catching nematodes, allowing for a simpler and more controlled evaluation by ensuring nematodes remain within the chemical substance area, using a container with high light transmittance and a forming mold for producing the plate with detachable protrusions to form recesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a liquid test solution and anesthetic are dripped onto an agar plate for nematode chemotaxis evaluation, then nematodes can be trapped in the chemical substance area, but the anesthetic diffuses over time causing inaccurate evaluation and inconsistent results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the anesthetic from the liquid phase and incorporates it into the solid agar matrix before the test begins. This prevents the anesthetic from diffusing over time while maintaining its trapping function, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and composition stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The anesthetic is applied and dried onto the agar plate before the test solution is added. This preliminary action ensures the anesthetic is already in place and stabilized in the solid matrix, preventing later diffusion and ensuring consistent nematode trapping throughout the evaluation period.
2Measurement precision
If time-lapse photographing is carried out to capture nematode behaviors and prevent them from moving outside the chemical substance area, then evaluation accuracy improves, but the test procedure becomes complex and requires additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the need for complex time-lapse photography equipment by incorporating the anesthetic directly into the agar plate. This creates a passive trapping system that prevents nematodes from leaving the chemical substance area without requiring active monitoring or specialized imaging equipment, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the entire agar plate is imaged to count nematodes visually, then the full observation range is captured, but the large area relative to nematode size makes counting labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the observation area by creating distinct chemical substance areas with boundaries defined by the agar plate geometry and anesthetic distribution. This segmentation concentrates nematodes into smaller, defined regions, making counting more efficient while maintaining accuracy, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and time loss.
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
This approach simplifies the evaluation process, reduces errors caused by anesthetic diffusion, and allows for high-accuracy counting of nematodes, providing consistent results.
Implementation Method 1
a solid phase formed in the container, the solid medium allowing nematodes to move over a surface of the solid phase
Implementation Method 2
the surface of the solid phase having at least one recess for catching one or some of the nematodes
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a test plate with which a test can be carried out in a simple manner and problems that may otherwise occur along with the lapse of time hardly occur. This invention provides a nematode trap plate (1) including: a container (10); and a solid medium (11) formed in the container (10), the solid medium (11) allowing nematodes to move over its surface, and the surface of the solid medium (11) having at least one fall-in cavity (2a) for catching nematodes.