Pipette-Driven Well Plate with Fluidic Trap for Nano-Liter Dilution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microfluidic technologies for nano-liter droplet storage and manipulation are complex, requiring precise fluidic control, external manifolds, and are not compatible with pipette-driven flow, leading to contamination and inefficiencies in dilution processes.
Innovation Solution
A pipette-driven well plate with a fluidic trap and bypass channel, utilizing a removable valve to control fluid flow and resistance, allowing for precise manipulation and dilution of nano-liter droplets without contaminating surrounding droplets, using atmospheric pressure as a unique valve for one-step serial dilutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current microfluidic techniques are used for droplet manipulation, then precise fluidic control is achieved, but device complexity increases due to external manifolds and multiple valves
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the complex external manifold system from the microfluidic device. By using a simple well plate structure with removable lids that act as valves, the patent removes the need for integrated complex fluidic control systems while maintaining precise droplet manipulation capability through atmospheric pressure control.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable lid acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the fluidic system. This simple component provides precise fluidic control by mediating between atmospheric pressure and the droplet array, eliminating the need for complex integrated valves and manifolds while maintaining control precision.
2Device complexity
If passive dilution methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but contamination of downstream traps occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the fluidic system into isolated well plate compartments, where each well functions as an independent trap. The removable lid mechanism allows selective opening of individual wells, enabling controlled dilution in one well without affecting downstream compartments, thus preventing contamination while maintaining simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary isolation of each well compartment before dilution operations. By keeping lids closed on downstream wells beforehand, the invention prevents contamination from upstream dilution operations, allowing passive dilution methods to be used without the harmful effects of cross-contamination.
3Measurement precision
If active valve methods are used for droplet manipulation, then precise control is achieved, but ease of operation decreases due to multiple operations and complex logic controls
Solution Approach 1:
The removable lid system enables self-service operation where the user directly controls fluidic access by simply opening or closing lids. This eliminates the need for complex automated valve sequences and logic controls, making precise droplet manipulation accessible through simple manual operations while maintaining control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple, replaceable lids as disposable or reusable components that provide precise control functionality without requiring complex integrated valve systems. These simple components can be easily replaced or reconfigured, greatly simplifying operation while maintaining precise droplet manipulation capability.
4Quantity of substance
If current dilution methods are used, then dilution is achieved, but loss of time increases due to multiple operations required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the dilution operation into a single step by combining the dilutant addition and mixing functions into one operation. By using the removable lid mechanism to simultaneously control access and initiate mixing, the patent achieves complete dilution in one action rather than requiring multiple separate operations, significantly reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action during dilution by eliminating idle steps between operations. The removable lid mechanism allows seamless transition from dilutant addition to mixing without interrupting the useful action, ensuring continuous progress toward the dilution goal and minimizing 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
The solution enables precise and efficient manipulation and dilution of nano-liter droplets with high-throughput screening capabilities, reducing contamination risks and improving pipetting accuracy, with a coefficient of variation less than 10% for one-step serial dilutions.
Implementation Method 1
fluid enters either the fluidic trap or the bypass channel, depending on which of the fluidic trap or bypass channel has the lower hydrodynamic resistance
Implementation Method 2
using atmospheric pressure as a unique valve for one-step serial dilutions
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are pipette driven well plates for nano-liter droplet storage and methods of using same. Embodiments may include an inlet, an outlet, a bypass channel, and a fluidic trap containing a valve covered by a removable covering, in which the fluid enters the fluidic trap when the removable covering is removed. The fluid enters either the fluidic trap or the bypass channel, depending on which of the fluidic trap or bypass channel has the lower hydrodynamic resistance. Embodiments may be used by closing the valve, introducing a first fluid to fill the fluidic trap and partially fill a bypass channel, opening the valve, removing the first fluid surrounding the valve, and introducing a second fluid into the fluidic trap, in which the introducing results in a mixture of the first and second fluids.