Sample Holder Well Wicking Promoter for Small-Volume Liquid Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small-volume liquid samples often fail to flow to the bottom of sample holders due to surface tension, leading to pinning at the edge of the well, which prevents sample processing, especially when the well design features abrupt changes in surface contour and large contact angles, making manual dispensing unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A sample holding system with a well design that incorporates a wicking promoter, such as a floor or side wall protrusion, to encourage the sample to flow past the wicking impediment and reach the bottom, reducing the effect of surface tension relative to gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the well diameter is increased to reduce surface tension effects, then sample flow to bottom is improved, but residual sample on well surface increases and footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific region at the bottom of the well with different surface properties. The wicking promoter (protrusion) creates a localized area with enhanced capillary action that selectively affects sample flow without changing the entire well's surface area, thus improving sample flow reliability without increasing residual sample.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface parameter locally by introducing a protrusion with specific height and surface area characteristics. This protrusion creates a localized region where capillary pressure parameters favor sample wicking to the bottom, resolving the contradiction between reliable sample flow and minimizing residual sample.
2Reliability
If the well diameter is increased to reduce surface tension effects, then sample flow to bottom is improved, but the number of wells per holder decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wicking promoter creates a localized functional region within each well that improves sample flow reliability without increasing the overall well footprint. This allows multiple wells to be packed densely on the holder while each well maintains reliable sample flow through its localized protrusion feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension element (protrusion height) to solve the sample flow problem, rather than increasing the horizontal well diameter. This dimensional approach allows maintaining compact well footprints while achieving reliable sample flow through the vertical wicking promoter structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual dispensing is used, then flexibility is maintained, but sample loading reliability varies due to position and velocity variations
Solution Approach 1:
The wicking promoter enables the well to self-correct for variations in dispensing parameters. Once sample is deposited anywhere in the well, the protrusion automatically guides it to the bottom through capillary action, making the system self-compensating for manual dispensing variations without requiring precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of surface tension (which causes pinning) into a beneficial wicking effect. By creating a protrusion that generates capillary pressure, the same surface tension force that previously caused problems now actively drives sample to the bottom, compensating for dispensing variations.
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 wicking promoter effectively reduces sample pinning and ensures reliable loading of small-volume samples into the well, enhancing the efficiency of sample processing by facilitating the flow of liquids past the impediment and into channels.
Implementation Method 1
a wicking promoter adapted to encourage a sample to wick from the upper region to the lower region
Implementation Method 2
Surface tension can hamper manipulation of small-volume liquid samples in situations where gravitational forces play only a minor role
Data Source
AI summary
Sample holding system, including methods and apparatus, including a holder defining a well having a wicking promoter that encourages flow of a sample to the bottom of the well. Methods of making and using the holder are also disclosed.