Hydrophilic Oleophobic Sample Chamber for Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plastic sample chambers are prone to contamination when handling liquids due to leakage or spreading of substances, which can lead to damage and cross-contamination between reservoirs.
Innovation Solution
A plastic sample chamber with a hydrophilic and/or oleophobic layer in specific surface areas to prevent liquid spread and contamination, featuring a surface tension that repels solvents and creeping agents, and a grid for controlled liquid distribution and separate observation fields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional plastic sample chambers are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the chambers are prone to contamination by liquids due to leakage or spreading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies surface treatment to change the surface energy parameters of the plastic sample chamber. By creating hydrophilic surfaces (high surface energy) in certain areas and oleophobic surfaces (low surface energy) in other areas, the chamber selectively interacts with different liquids. This parameter change enables the chamber to prevent contamination from oleophobic liquids while maintaining simplicity in the base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements different surface properties in different locations of the sample chamber. The base plate and cover plate have oleophobic surfaces to prevent oil penetration, while specific receiving areas have hydrophilic surfaces to control liquid distribution. This local differentiation of surface quality allows simultaneous prevention of contamination and controlled liquid handling without complicating the overall device structure.
2Reliability
If liquid is filled in the receiving area, then the sample can be examined, but liquid may spread arbitrarily or leak out causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates hydrophilic receiving areas with high surface energy to control liquid distribution. The hydrophilic surface tension causes liquids to be attracted to and contained within the receiving area, preventing arbitrary spreading. Meanwhile, oleophobic surfaces in other areas repel oils and creeping agents. This local quality differentiation provides both liquid containment and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface treatment layer acts as an intermediary between the plastic substrate and the liquids. This intermediate layer with modified surface energy properties mediates the interaction, allowing controlled liquid containment in hydrophilic areas while repelling oleophobic substances. The surface treatment serves as a functional intermediary that enables reliable liquid handling without compromising operational ease.
3Ease of manufacture
If solvents or creeping agents are used in manufacture, then the sample chamber can be formed, but they may penetrate or form cracks causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies oleophobic surface treatment to the plastic sample chamber before final assembly. This preliminary anti-action creates a protective barrier that prevents solvents and creeping agents from penetrating the plastic material during or after manufacture. The low surface energy surface repels these substances, preventing crack formation and maintaining structural integrity while still allowing the manufacturing process to proceed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of solvent penetration into a benefit by applying oleophobic surface treatment. The same surface treatment that prevents harmful solvent infiltration also enables controlled liquid distribution in hydrophilic areas. By treating the surface beforehand, the manufacturing process can use solvents for forming while the finished product resists their penetrating effects, turning a potential weakness into a strength.
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 hydrophilic and oleophobic layers effectively prevent contamination and damage by repelling solvents and oils, while the grid ensures controlled liquid distribution and prevents cross-contamination between reservoirs, enhancing the reliability and accuracy of microscopy examinations.
Implementation Method 1
The layer can have a surface tension of less than 25 mN/m, in particular less than 20 mN/m, in particular less than 15 mN/m, or of more than 70 mN/m, in particular more than 72 mN/m. In this way, in particular, the preferred oleophobic or hydrophilic properties are achieved
Implementation Method 2
Such a layer ensures in particular that contaminating liquids cannot spread arbitrarily on or in the sample chamber. The layer can be hydrophilic and/or oleophobic
Implementation Method 3
Such a layer ensures in particular that contaminating liquids cannot spread arbitrarily on or in the sample chamber. The layer can be hydrophilic and/or oleophobic
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The chamber has a hydrophilic and an oleophobic layer provided in a predetermined surface area, where the predetermined surface area is arranged in a receiving area i.e. reservoirs. A base plate (1) and a cover plate (2) are firmly connected to the chamber. A depression (3) is formed in the base plate. The receiving area is formed by the base plate and the cover plate, where the layer is surrounded all-over a side of the base plate and/or the cover plate, and the chamber is made of plastic.