Multi-Chamber Container With Shared Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-well containers used in biochemical and pharmaceutical applications face inefficiencies due to either inability to address individual reaction spaces separately or having a large number of electrodes, leading to parasitic currents and reduced active and passive volumes.
Innovation Solution
A container design with a reduced number of electrodes, where n+x electrodes are provided for n reaction spaces, with electrodes arranged in rows or columns to maximize active volume, and contact elements are strategically placed to enhance electrical safety and minimize parasitic currents, allowing for individual addressing of reaction spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If each reaction chamber is provided with two separate electrodes for individual addressing, then individual reaction spaces can be addressed separately, but the total number of electrodes increases significantly (2n electrodes for n reaction chambers)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of two separate electrodes into a single electrode structure. Each electrode serves as a common electrode for two adjacent reaction chambers, allowing individual addressing of each chamber while reducing the total electrode count from 2n to n+1 electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
Each electrode is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as one electrode for one reaction chamber and the corresponding electrode for the adjacent reaction chamber. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of electrodes needed in the system.
2Ease of operation
If a large number of electrodes are used to provide individual addressing, then all reaction chambers can be individually addressed, but parasitic currents increase and electrical safety decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging electrode functions and reducing the total number of electrodes, the patent minimizes the number of electrical contacts and potential pathways for parasitic currents, thereby reducing harmful electrical effects while maintaining individual addressing capability.
3Ease of operation
If more electrodes are installed in the container, then individual addressing is enabled, but the active and passive volumes of reaction chambers are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges electrode structures to reduce the number of electrode components within each reaction chamber. By making electrodes common to adjacent chambers, the volume occupied by electrodes in each individual chamber is reduced, thereby increasing the active volume available for reactions.
4Ease of operation
If a large number of electrodes are used, then individual addressing is achieved, but material costs and equipment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrode functions so that one electrode serves two reaction chambers. This merging reduces the total number of electrodes from 2n to n+1, directly reducing material consumption and manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to individually address each reaction chamber.
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
This design reduces the number of electrodes required, saving material and equipment costs, increasing electrical safety, and maximizing active and passive volumes, while enabling efficient and precise electrical contact for high-throughput applications.
Implementation Method 1
each of which has at least one pair of electrodes for applying an electrical voltage to generate an electric field within the reaction chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
The container (1) comprises three reaction chambers (2), which have an electrode pair consisting of first and second electrodes (3, 4, 5) for applying an electric voltage to generate an electric field inside the reaction chambers, are geometrically arranged in a row and/or are electrically switched in a row. The container is detachably connected with a radio frequency identification transponder. The electrodes are provided with contact elements (7), which are electrically contactable for applying the electric voltage. One of the electrodes of the reaction chamber is a common electrode. The container (1) comprises three reaction chambers (2), which have an electrode pair consisting of first and second electrodes (3, 4, 5) for applying an electric voltage to generate an electric field inside the reaction chambers, are geometrically arranged in a row and/or are electrically switched in a row. The container is detachably connected with a radio frequency identification transponder. The electrodes are provided with contact elements (7), which are electrically contactable for applying the electric voltage. One of the electrodes of the reaction chamber is a common electrode to the another reaction chamber and n+x electrodes are provided, where n is the number of the reaction chambers with n>= 3 and x is the number of rows with x>= 1. The common electrode is partially arranged between the two adjacent reaction chambers and geometrically arranged in the row. The common electrode of the both reaction chambers is provided with the contact element. A contact surface of the contact elements to the electrodes has an area of 8 mm 2>, where the contact elements are present on or inside the electrodes. The contact elements are formed in a pin-like, needle-like or screw-like manner and/or have a circular cross-section, and are arranged on the upper side of the electrodes and/or upwardly protrude from the electrodes. The electrodes downwardly protrude over a base of the container and/or a wall region of the reaction chambers. The reaction chamber is limited by the wall region, in which the transponder is integrated. Two groups of coupled first electrodes are formed such that the first electrodes of the different reaction chambers are electrically coupled. Two groups of coupled second electrodes are formed such that the second electrodes of the different reaction chambers are electrically coupled. A different group of reaction chambers contains respective group of coupled electrodes and a common reaction chamber contains two groups of coupled electrodes. The first electrodes are connected with one another over diodes, where each reaction chamber is arranged to one diode. Independent claims are included for: (1) a lid for a container; and (2) a process for producing a container.