Sample Carrier Bottom Openings for Hydrogel Channel Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample carriers face challenges in forming clean connections for channel structures in hydrogels due to difficulties in introducing sacrificial structures, leading to unclean connections or failure, and the unphysiological nature of directly applying structures to the reservoir bottom, which does not mimic natural organ structures.
Innovation Solution
A sample carrier design with a reservoir having two channels with openings above the base, allowing for clean application and connection of a sacrificial structure, and a method involving filling the reservoir with hydrogel to encase the structure, ensuring the channel structure is formed within the hydrogel, mimicking physiological conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the sacrificial structure is introduced through lateral openings in the reservoir, then the channel structure can be formed in the hydrogel, but the connection becomes unclean or fails because the sacrificial structure is difficult to insert using automated processes
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of introducing the sacrificial structure through lateral openings as in prior art, the invention inverts the approach by providing openings in the bottom surface of the reservoir. This allows the sacrificial structure to be inserted from below using automated processes like 3D printing, ensuring clean connections while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The openings are pre-formed in the bottom surface of the reservoir at specific positions before the sacrificial structure is introduced. This preliminary preparation ensures that the sacrificial structure can be accurately positioned and inserted without deviation, maintaining connection cleanliness while enabling automated insertion processes.
2Ease of manufacture
If the sacrificial structure is applied directly to the bottom of the reservoir, then the structure can be easily introduced, but the configuration becomes unphysiological and does not correspond to natural organ structures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by providing openings only at specific locations in the bottom surface of the reservoir, rather than applying the sacrificial structure directly to the entire bottom surface. This localized approach through discrete openings enables easy structure introduction while creating a physiological configuration where the sacrificial structure is surrounded by hydrogel on all sides, mimicking natural organ structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The sacrificial structure is inserted through openings in the bottom surface and then surrounded by hydrogel that is introduced into the reservoir. This nesting configuration, where the sacrificial structure is enclosed within the hydrogel matrix, achieves both ease of manufacture and physiological relevance, as it mimics how vessels are surrounded by tissue in natural organs.
3Reliability
If the openings are arranged above the bottom surface, then the sacrificial structure can be surrounded by hydrogel on all sides for physiological relevance, but the connection formation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the bottom surface of the reservoir by providing multiple discrete openings at specific positions, rather than having a continuous or complex structure. This segmentation allows the sacrificial structure to be surrounded by hydrogel on all sides for physiological relevance while keeping the opening arrangement simple and manageable, reducing device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A
AI summary
The invention relates to a sample carrier comprising a reservoir with a bottom, and two channels, each having an opening into the reservoir, wherein the two openings are formed above the bottom, wherein a bottom of the sample carrier is planar, and wherein each of the two openings points in a direction that is not parallel to the bottom.