Substrate Tray Segmented Base Wall Aperture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing substrate trays are not optimized for high-throughput or automated processes in biotechnology, lacking versatility and efficient access for handling, analysis, and transfer of biological materials.
Innovation Solution
A substrate tray with multiple compartments, each featuring a top open end, a body portion sidewall, and a base wall with an aperture, equipped with a removable fluid-tight seal on the exterior portion of the base wall, allowing for independent filling and access to each compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If substrate trays are designed with traditional solid base walls, then structural integrity and containment are maintained, but access to compartment contents requires tray disruption or substrate disturbance
Solution Approach 1:
The base wall is segmented into a removable portion and a fixed portion. The removable portion can be detached to provide access to the compartment contents without disturbing the substrate or biological material. This segmentation allows the tray to transition from a fully enclosed structure to an accessible structure while maintaining the integrity of the contained materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable base wall portion is extracted from the fixed base wall structure. This extracted portion can be removed to create an opening for accessing compartment contents. The extraction principle enables access without requiring disruption of the substrate or biological material remaining in the compartment.
2Productivity
If substrate trays are designed for manual handling only, then simplicity is maintained, but efficiency in high-throughput processes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is designed with universal features that enable both manual handling and automated processing. The standardized compartment structure, removable base portions, and engagement features allow the same tray design to be used in both manual laboratory settings and automated high-throughput systems, increasing productivity without requiring entirely different tray designs for different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray incorporates dynamic elements such as removable base wall portions that can be easily attached and detached. This dynamic design allows the tray to adapt between different operational modes - fully enclosed for transport and storage, and partially open for access and processing - enabling flexibility in both manual and automated workflows.
3Ease of operation
If compartments are designed as single-unit structures, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but independent access and management of each compartment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Each compartment is segmented into a fixed base wall portion and a removable base wall portion. This segmentation allows independent access to each compartment by removing only the specific base portion needed, while other compartments remain intact. The modular segmentation enables independent compartment management without requiring complete tray disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Access to compartment contents is enabled through the bottom dimension by providing removable base wall portions. This dimensional approach allows access from below rather than requiring top-down access through the substrate, enabling independent compartment management while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized base portion designs.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are trays for storing, developing, analyzing, and transferring biological materials, such as biological samples. The trays comprise a plurality of compartments and can include a substrate contained within one or more compartments. Each compartment comprises a top open end, a body portion sidewall, and a base wall having at least one aperture. The base wall has an exterior portion and a removable seal can be disposed upon the exterior portion of the base wall. Systems including the trays and methods for developing, analyzing, and transferring biological materials using the trays are also provided herein.