Open Fluidic Array for Mobile Biological Sample Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluidic devices are limited in their ability to handle and isolate biological entities with irregular shapes and high mobility, such as micro-swimmers, due to their design being optimized for specific screening functions, which makes them difficult to adapt for generic biology laboratories and slow to adopt for high-throughput biologics screening.
Innovation Solution
An open fluidic array system comprising a substrate with hydrophobic wells, a hydrophilic microgel, and a spacer that allows for precise application and manipulation of biological substances, enabling rapid sample loading and isolation without the need for external connections or controllers, using the principle of interfacial dynamics to control capillary pressures and move contact lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional closed-channel fluidic systems are used to isolate biological substances, then high-resolution imaging and behavior analysis are achieved, but the devices are optimized for only one specific screening function and are difficult to adapt for generic biology laboratories
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal open fluidic array platform that can perform multiple screening functions (high-resolution imaging, behavioral analysis, genetic screening, drug screening) using the same basic device architecture, eliminating the need for separate specialized devices for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The device divides the substrate into multiple independent wells, each capable of holding and manipulating individual biological samples separately, allowing parallel processing of multiple samples with different experimental conditions on a single platform
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional fluidic devices are designed for specific screening functions, then precise control of microenvironment is achieved, but prototyping and fabricating a library of devices for different screening functions is time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal device design with standardized well architecture can be used for multiple screening functions by simply changing the biological substances and experimental protocols, eliminating the need to prototype new devices for each application
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows control of microenvironment parameters (such as chemical stimuli, temperature, humidity) through adjustable external conditions rather than requiring different device structures, enabling the same device to create different microenvironments for various screening functions
3Ease of operation
If conventional droplet partitioning methods are used to isolate micro-swimmers, then sample isolation is achieved, but the methods are difficult to handle highly mobile micro-swimmers with irregular body shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical manipulation methods (droplet partitioning, manual handling) with passive capillary-based isolation mechanisms that automatically trap and retain highly mobile micro-swimmers in well-defined hydrophobic wells without requiring physical contact or complex mechanical operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hydrophobic material as an intermediary between the aqueous biological samples and the device structure, creating a capillary barrier that passively isolates mobile micro-swimmers without requiring direct mechanical manipulation
4Device complexity
If conventional microfluidic techniques use manual loading or stochastic sample sedimentation, then device simplicity is maintained, but the techniques mostly work only with static single cells and cannot handle highly mobile micro-swimmers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces gravity-based sedimentation with capillary pressure-based retention mechanisms that are effective for both static cells and highly mobile micro-swimmers, maintaining device simplicity while expanding sample type compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the retention mechanism from gravity-dependent (sedimentation) to surface tension-dependent (capillary pressure), making the device effective for a broader range of sample types including highly mobile micro-swimmers with irregular shapes
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
Enables rapid and efficient sample isolation and manipulation of both static and motile biological samples, including multi-cellular organisms, with easy fabrication and accessibility for general users, facilitating high-throughput imaging, drug screening, and phenotypic analysis without the need for complex equipment.
Implementation Method 1
using the principle of interfacial dynamics to control capillary pressures and move contact lines
Implementation Method 2
The substrate can comprise a hydrophobic material defining boundaries of the plurality of wells. The plurality of wells can be at least partially filled with a hydrophilic microgel
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a fluidic device comprising a substrate, an applicator, and a spacer. The substrate can comprise a plurality of wells. The applicator can be used for manipulating a biological substance in at least a portion of the plurality of wells. The spacer can be positioned between the substrate and the applicator. The spacer can be configured to allow the applicator to apply the biological substance to at least a portion of the plurality of wells while maintaining a space between the substrate and the applicator.