Sample Containment Ring for Plate-Based Liquid Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for containing liquid samples in assay devices suffer from sample flow-out, leading to contamination and reduced capillary force due to changing contact angles, and limited maximum sample volume without flow-out, exacerbated by uneven deposition and compression forces.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a sample containment ring with features such as wells, trenches, or walls on the plates to prevent sample flow-out, allowing for a larger maximum storage volume relative to the sample contact area, and enabling uniform sample compression between plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If two planar plates are used for compressing a flowable sample, then the sample can be compressed into a thin layer, but the sample may flow out from the edge of the plates during compression
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the plate surface into distinct functional zones by introducing a sample containment ring that creates a sample contact area surrounded by a containment structure. This segmentation prevents the sample from flowing out during compression while maintaining the ability to compress the sample into a thin layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample containment ring acts as an intermediary structure between the sample and the plate edge. It provides a physical barrier that mediates the interaction between the compressive force and the sample, preventing direct contact between the sample and the plate edge that would cause flow-out.
2Quantity of substance
If the sample volume exceeds the maximum volume defined by plate spacing and area, then more sample can be analyzed, but the sample will flow out and reduce capillary force
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by creating a specific region (sample contact area) with enhanced containment properties. The sample containment ring provides different functional characteristics in different areas: the central contact area allows sample deposition while the surrounding ring structure provides containment, enabling larger sample volumes without losing capillary force.
3Ease of operation
If the sample is deposited off-center or compression force is uneven, then deposition or compression can occur, but sample flow-out will still happen
Solution Approach 1:
The sample containment ring is pre-configured on the plate before sample deposition. This preliminary action creates a ready-made containment structure that guides sample deposition and prevents flow-out regardless of whether the sample is deposited perfectly centered or if compression forces are perfectly uniform.
4Productivity
If the sample flows out during compression, then compression can proceed, but contamination occurs and contact angle changes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the potential harmful effect of sample flow-out into a beneficial containment mechanism. The sample containment ring, which might seem like an added complexity, actually prevents contamination and maintains assay integrity, turning a potential problem into a solution.
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 solution effectively prevents sample flow-out, maintains capillary force, and increases the maximum storage volume, ensuring consistent sample analysis without contamination.
Implementation Method 1
since the capillary force that holds the two plates together depends on the contact angle between the sample and the plate surface, a sample flowing-out will change the contact angle and can make the capillary force much smaller
Data Source
AI summary
Among other things, the present disclosure is related to devices and methods for containing a liquid sample between two plates.