Polygonal Well Array Filter Geometry for High-Density Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well array filters have large distances between wells, leading to particles like cells and beads frequently remaining on partition walls, low well array density, difficulty in image analysis due to similar shapes, and poor flexibility causing capillary damage during cell collection.
Innovation Solution
A well array filter with thin partition walls, polygonal-shaped wells, and through holes, allowing high-density arrangement and stable particle capture, along with a particle alignment device for efficient screening and image analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the distance between wells is large, then particles can be captured reliably, but well array density becomes low and screening efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the well structure, specifically setting the well opening diameter to 5-200 μm and the distance between well centers to 10-50 μm. These parameter adjustments allow wells to be arranged at high density while maintaining reliable particle capture, as the optimized dimensions ensure particles enter wells rather than remaining on partition walls.
2Reliability
If through holes in well bottom portion are made large enough to capture cells, then cell capture reliability improves, but total opening area proportion becomes small and liquid sample passage becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the through-hole parameters by setting the diameter to 2-10 μm and adjusting the number of through-holes per well. This parameter optimization ensures that cells are reliably captured while maintaining sufficient total opening area for liquid sample passage, resolving the contradiction between capture reliability and operational ease.
3Reliability
If well opening shape is circular or elliptical, then particle capture is effective, but image analysis becomes difficult due to shape similarity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the well opening shape from circular or elliptical to polygonal shapes such as triangles, quadrangles, pentagons, or hexagons. This asymmetric geometric design creates distinct shape differences between wells and captured particles, enabling effective automated image analysis while maintaining reliable particle capture functionality.
4Strength
If well partition walls are made thick, then structural strength is sufficient, but filter flexibility becomes poor and capillary damage occurs during cell collection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the partition wall thickness parameter, setting it to a specific range that provides sufficient structural strength to maintain well integrity while remaining thin enough to allow filter flexibility. This prevents capillary tips from hitting and damaging the thick partition walls during cell collection operations.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 6~8
AI summary
In this well array filter (1), a plurality of wells (3) are formed in a filter body (2) and openings of the wells (3) have a polygonal shape or a polygonal shape with rounded corners. An equivalent circle diameter of the openings of the wells (3) is 5 µm or more and 200 µm or less and at least one through hole (8) is formed in a well bottom portion (4). Well partition walls (6) have a maximum thickness of 1 µm or more and 20 µm or less, a ratio of a total opening area of the wells (3) to an area of a well formation region is 40% or more, and the wells (3) have a depth which is twice or more of the thickness of the well partition walls (6).