Reaction Device With Projecting Barriers For Parallel Droplet Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conducting multiple reaction operations and washing operations in parallel using micro well arrays is cumbersome due to the need for frequent washing or replacement of pipettes or magnetic beads, and the method of covering droplets with an oil membrane to prevent evaporation is also troublesome, especially when handling multiple droplets.
Innovation Solution
A reaction device with projecting barriers arranged in a line on a substrate, capable of holding droplets with a surface contact angle of 90 to 150 degrees, which allows for parallel reaction and washing operations without the need for instrument washing or oil membrane coverage, using a magnet to transfer substances between droplets containing a surface tension reducing agent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a micro well array is used to conduct parallel reactions and washing operations with pipettes or magnetic beads, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for frequent washing or replacement of instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the substrate into multiple independent droplet holding regions separated by projecting barriers. Each region can independently hold a droplet, allowing parallel processing of multiple samples without cross-contamination. This segmentation enables high-throughput operations while maintaining simple, reusable barriers that do not require washing between uses.
Solution Approach 2:
The projecting barriers act as intermediaries that physically separate and isolate droplets from each other. These barriers prevent solution exchange between adjacent droplets, eliminating the need to wash pipettes or magnetic beads between operations. The barriers themselves serve as the boundary-maintaining structure that enables repeated use without cleaning.
2Reliability
If droplets are covered with an oil membrane to prevent evaporation, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to troublesome operations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the oil membrane component from the system. Instead of adding an oil layer on top of droplets to prevent evaporation, the device uses projecting barriers to physically contain droplets. This removal of the oil membrane simplifies operations while maintaining evaporation prevention through the barrier structure and controlled substrate hydrophobicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of covering droplets with oil from the top, the invention inverts the approach by using projecting barriers to contain droplets from the sides and bottom. The barriers create physical walls that prevent evaporation by containing the droplet volume, while the substrate surface properties control droplet adhesion. This inverted containment approach eliminates the need for oil membranes.
3Speed
If a magnet is moved closer to the well from upside to transfer magnetic beads, then speed is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for washing and demagnetizing the magnet
Solution Approach 1:
The projecting barriers are designed as simple, durable structures that can be reused indefinitely without washing. By using these fixed barriers instead of movable magnets that need cleaning, the system adopts a reusable infrastructure approach. The barriers remain in place and simply separate droplets, eliminating the cyclic wash-demagnetize operations required for movable magnetic transfer tools.
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 efficient parallel conductance of reaction and washing operations without instrument washing or oil membrane use, maintaining droplet stability and facilitating the transfer of magnetic beads, thereby simplifying the process and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
at least the surface of the substrate holding the droplet has pure water contact angle of 90 to 150 degree
Implementation Method 2
the surface of the substrate consists of a paraffin resin, a teflon resin or a silicone resin
Implementation Method 3
a magnet to transfer substances between droplets containing a surface tension reducing agent
Implementation Method 4
droplets containing a surface tension reducing agent
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a device and a method whereby plural kinds of reaction operations and washing operations can be conducted in parallel without washing or replacing an instrument used in transferring a solution in each operation. A reaction device having a plurality of projecting barriers provided in a line on one surface of a substrate. The projecting barrier has a cutoff portion and an inner space capable of holding a droplet and having a contact angle to pure water of from 90 to 150 degrees. A reaction method using the reaction device wherein a substance immobilized on magnetic beads is sequentially transferred in and between droplets of a solution containing a surface tension reducing agent that are held in the spaces for holding a droplet by means of a magnet located on the opposite surface of the substrate to thereby conduct reactions and washings.