Porous Evaporation Control Lid for Moving Multi-Well Sample Trays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bio-layer interferometry (BLI) analysis is affected by evaporative loss of liquid from sample wells in multi-well sample trays due to continuous movement, leading to decreased accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An evaporation control cover for multi-well sample trays featuring a porous, wettable, free-standing material with varying hole diameters and a reservoir system to minimize evaporation, allowing continuous movement and analysis without cover removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a multi-well sample tray is continuously moved during BLI analysis, then the suspension of material is maintained, but evaporative loss of liquid from sample wells occurs leading to decreased accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
A porous membrane is introduced as an intermediary layer between the sample wells and the external environment. The membrane allows vapor transmission to maintain suspension while blocking liquid evaporation, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining suspension stability and preventing evaporative loss
Solution Approach 2:
A porous membrane with specific pore size and structure is used to cover the sample wells. The porous structure permits vapor diffusion for suspension maintenance while the pore dimensions and surface properties prevent bulk liquid evaporation, addressing both requirements simultaneously
2Loss of substance
If an evaporation control cover is added to prevent evaporative loss, then fluid retention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A thin flexible porous membrane is used instead of a rigid complex cover structure. The membrane can be easily placed over the sample tray and provides evaporation control through its inherent porous structure, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The porous membrane is designed as a disposable component that can be easily replaced. This simplifies the overall device architecture as no complex reusable cover mechanism is needed, reducing both structural complexity and maintenance requirements
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
Significantly enhances fluid retention in sample wells, improving the accuracy and consistency of BLI analysis by maintaining liquid levels, with some embodiments doubling the retained fluid volume and reducing variability.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporation control cover for use with a multi-well sample tray comprising a plurality of sample wells is provided. The evaporation control cover comprises a porous, wettable, free-standing material
Implementation Method 2
The porous material may be any material which is capable of absorbing a liquid and/or releasing a liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A cover configured to reduce evaporation from a multi-well sample tray while permitting sampling of material housed in separate wells of the tray. The cover may directly engage the sample tray and move with the sample tray or the cover may be stationary while permitting movement of the sample tray relative to the cover.