Non-Circular Microbead Coding for Capacity and Positioning Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microbead coding methods are costly, require additional processes and materials, limit the number of codes and size of the biological reaction region, and face challenges in positioning accuracy and code identification.
Innovation Solution
A non-circular microbead design with engraved codes on the outside, featuring a central region surrounded by an edge region with corner and side regions, including positioning devices and marking positions for accurate identification by a computer device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If codes are marked inside the microbead using opaque or fluorescent substances, then the microbead can be identified, but the production cost increases and additional processes and materials are required
Solution Approach 1:
The code marking process is extracted from the microbead interior and moved to the exterior surface. Instead of embedding codes within the microbead using opaque or fluorescent substances, the invention engraves codes on the outer surface of the microbead, eliminating the need for additional marking materials and simplifying the production process while maintaining identification capability
Solution Approach 2:
The conventional approach of marking codes inside the microbead is inverted by placing codes on the outside surface. This inversion allows the codes to be engraved directly on the microbead exterior using laser technology, reversing the traditional inside-out marking methodology and thereby reducing production complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If codes are engraved around circular microbeads, then the number of coding combinations increases, but the positioning accuracy decreases and the gap between codes wastes space
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from symmetric circular microbead geometry to asymmetric polygonal or irregular shapes. This asymmetry allows codes to be engraved along the edges and vertices without requiring gaps between them, as the non-circular geometry naturally provides distinct positioning features. The asymmetric shape enables higher coding capacity while maintaining precise positioning through the unique geometric characteristics of each vertex and edge
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the dimensional characteristics of polygonal shapes by engraving codes along edges and at vertices in two-dimensional space. This approach transforms the coding strategy from circular perimeter encoding to polygonal edge-vertex encoding, effectively using the geometric dimensions of the shape to maximize coding capacity without compromising positioning accuracy
3Ease of manufacture
If the microbead is circular, then the manufacturing is simple, but fewer codes can be engraved per unit region and positioning is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces simple circular geometry with polygonal or irregular shapes that provide more edge and vertex features for coding. This geometric transformation increases the number of distinguishable positions for code engraving per unit area, thereby increasing coding density while the overall manufacturing process remains relatively straightforward through mold fabrication
Solution Approach 2:
The microbead surface is segmented into distinct edges and vertices of the polygonal shape, creating multiple discrete locations for code placement. This segmentation of the continuous circular perimeter into discrete geometric features allows for higher coding density by providing more individual positions for code engraving along the edges and at the vertices
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A microbead (10, 20, 30, 40a, 40b, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90) with a code engraved on an outside of the microbead (10, 20, 30, 40a, 40b, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90). The microbead (10, 20, 30, 40a, 40b, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90) includes a central region (12, 52, 82) and an edge region (11, 51, 81) surrounding the central region (12, 52, 82). An outer contour of the edge region (11, 51, 81) before and after engraving the code is non-circular. The edge region (11, 51, 81) includes a plurality of coding positions (141, 241, 341, 441, 541, 641, 731, 741, 831, 841). The code of the microbead (10, 20, 30, 40a, 40b, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90) is engraved on the plurality of coding positions (141, 241, 341, 441, 541, 641, 731, 741, 831, 841). Each bit of the code corresponds to each of the plurality of coding positions (141, 241, 341, 441, 541, 641, 731, 741, 831, 841). The present disclosure increases the utilization rate of the microbead (10, 20, 30, 40a, 40b, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90).