Variable Compression Seal for Multiwell Plate Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sealing ultrafiltration membranes in multiwell plates are unreliable, dependent on membrane material and pore size, and lack flexibility for varying membrane thicknesses, leading to performance variability and manufacturing challenges.
Innovation Solution
A filtration apparatus with a substrate having wells with a porous filter material and a compression element that biases a sealing member to create a reliable seal, independent of membrane material and pore size, allowing for adjustment with different membrane thicknesses, using die-cut membrane discs and internal well inserts for secure sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat sealing is used to seal ultrafiltration membranes, then sealing can be achieved, but the process requires unique parameters for each membrane type and results in unacceptable bond quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal sealing processes with a mechanical compression system. A compression element applies uniform mechanical force to compress the sealing member against the membrane and well wall, eliminating the need for heat sealing and its associated parameter optimization for different membrane types.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the sealing mechanism from thermal parameters (temperature, time, pressure) to a single mechanical compression parameter. The compression element can be adjusted to provide appropriate compression force for different membrane thicknesses without requiring reoptimization of multiple thermal parameters.
2Strength
If ultrasonic welding is used to seal membranes, then the plate and underdrain can be fused together, but the membrane material makes conventional sealing methods result in high performance variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces ultrasonic welding with a mechanical compression sealing system. The compression element maintains consistent sealing pressure on the membrane without the variability introduced by ultrasonic energy absorption differences in various membrane materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a separate sealing member as an intermediary between the compression element and the membrane. This sealing member provides a consistent sealing interface that is independent of the membrane material properties, ensuring uniform sealing performance across different membrane types.
3Reliability
If a sealing gasket is used, then sealing can be achieved, but the method lacks flexibility for varying membrane thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The compression element is designed with adjustable compression force to accommodate varying membrane thicknesses. The system transitions from a fixed sealing approach to a dynamic one where the compression parameter can be optimized for different membrane specifications while maintaining seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression element serves multiple functions: it compresses the sealing member, applies uniform pressure across different membrane thicknesses, and maintains seal integrity. This universal component replaces the need for different sealing approaches for different membrane types.
4Productivity
If conventional sealing methods are used, then manufacturing can proceed, but the result is less than desirable manufacturing processes and high performance variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex thermal and ultrasonic sealing processes with a simple mechanical compression system. This substitution improves manufacturing precision by eliminating the variability associated with heat and ultrasonic parameters while maintaining efficient production.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention reduces the number of controlling parameters from multiple thermal and mechanical variables to a single compression force parameter. This simplification improves both manufacturing precision and efficiency by making the process easier to control and reproduce.
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 provides a reliable, membrane-independent sealing method that maintains high throughput and cost-effectiveness for drug discovery applications, ensuring efficient filtration and sample collection across various membrane types and thicknesses.
Implementation Method 1
a compression element fixed in the at least one well in a position to compress the sealing member into sealing relationship with the porous filter and the wall of the at least one well
Implementation Method 2
the sample filtration process is driven by a pressure differential across the membrane, the pressure differential is created by applying a negative or positive pressure to one side of the filter
Implementation Method 3
the pressure differential is created by applying a negative or positive pressure to one side of the filter or by a centrifugal force
Implementation Method 4
the compression element is sloped towards the well wall to bias the seal to the well wall and to the porous filter
Data Source
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AI summary
Filtration apparatus for the assay of biological and biochemical reactants, for example, is provided and includes a substrate such as a plate having one or more wells open at each end, and a porous membrane positioned in each well forming a discrete filtering area. The filtration apparatus includes a seal that is in a compressible relationship with the face of the porous membrane, the surface of the compression element, and the well wall. Each well includes a compression element, such as an internal well insert or sleeve, which compresses the seal so that the seal contacts the membrane face, the surface of the compression element, and the well wall in a liquid-tight manner. The compression element may be configured so that it is fixed in the well such as by an interference fit with the well wall or by bonding to a surface of the substrate.