Transparent Well Sample Holder for Cell Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for examining and treating biological or medical samples, particularly cells, face challenges such as difficulty in isolating individual cells, limited optical analysis due to carrier fluid properties, and inefficiencies in long-term experiments and in vivo conditions.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that include a dispensing unit for dispensing samples into a sample holder with transparent wells, an optical examining unit for precise capture and analysis, and a removal unit for isolating samples, allowing for automated and efficient examination and treatment of individual cells within a common treatment space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cells are separated on growth media, then cell isolation is achieved, but large base area is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the sample holder into multiple separate wells, each capable of containing and isolating individual cells. This segmentation allows cells to be separated into discrete compartments rather than requiring a large continuous growth media surface, thereby achieving cell isolation precision while reducing the overall base area required.
2Adaptability or versatility
If droplet technology with carrier fluid phase is used, then cell encapsulation is achieved, but optical analysis becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the cell from the carrier fluid phase and places it directly into a well containing growth media. This eliminates the need to perform optical analysis through the carrier fluid phase, thereby maintaining cell encapsulation capability while significantly improving optical analysis quality by providing direct, unobstructed access to the cell.
3Measurement precision
If manual cell capture under microscope is used, then individual cell isolation is achieved, but significant time and labor outlay is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the manual mechanical process of cell capture with an automated dispensing system that uses optical information to guide cell placement. The dispensing unit automatically detects and isolates individual cells based on optical signals, eliminating the need for manual manipulation under a microscope and dramatically reducing the time and labor required while maintaining high precision.
4Productivity
If heterogeneous cell populations are examined, then average characteristics are discovered, but individual cell characteristics are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the heterogeneous cell population into individual cells, each housed in its own well. This allows simultaneous examination of multiple individual cells while maintaining the ability to analyze average characteristics across the population. The segmentation enables both high-throughput processing and precise individual cell analysis without compromising either objective.
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 enables precise and efficient examination and treatment of individual cells, reducing the consumption of reagents and samples, minimizing data processing and storage costs, and improving the accuracy and speed of experiments, while maintaining high-quality biological inertness.
Implementation Method 1
The base area (13) of each respective well is transparent such that an optical capture of the sample is implemented through the base area (13)
Implementation Method 2
The cell is ejected at a predetermined position on the sample holder by a suction-ejection capillary
Data Source
AI summary
A device for examining and/or treating a sample includes a dispensing unit for dispensing the sample into a sample holder comprising a plurality of wells. Each well has an opening and a base area. The device further includes an optical examining unit, a removal unit for removing the sample from the sample holder and, and a receptacle for moving the sample holder into different work positions within a work region delimited by a respective well. In a respective work position, the optical examining unit, the dispensing unit, and the removal unit are positioned within the work region coaxially on two opposite sides of the sample holder along an optical axis of the optical examining unit. The base area of each respective well is transparent such that an optical capture of the sample is implemented through the base area.