Variable Interlayer Gap Lid for Multi-Well Plate Oxygen Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lids for multi-well plates used in oxygen consumption measurements introduce contaminants and increase evaporation due to air exchange, compromising the sterility and accuracy of oxygen consumption rate measurements.
Innovation Solution
A lid with a ceiling and floor layer separated by a gap, allowing for independent motion of the ceiling layer, which adjusts the probe's position and minimizes air exchange through the floor layer, maintaining sterility and reducing evaporation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional lid is used to cover the wells, then the wells are isolated from contaminants and humidity is maintained, but air exchange occurs that increases evaporation and introduces contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into two independently movable layers: a ceiling layer and a floor layer. The ceiling layer can move relative to the floor layer to adjust the interlayer gap, creating separate functional zones that address both contamination prevention and evaporation reduction simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The lid transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one where the ceiling layer can independently move vertically relative to the floor layer. This dynamic adjustment of the interlayer gap allows optimization of both contaminant barrier function and evaporation control based on measurement requirements
2Measurement precision
If the ceiling layer is fixed to the floor layer, then the structure is simple and stable, but probe movement relative to the wells cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented into ceiling and floor layers that can move independently, allowing the ceiling layer with embedded probes to be adjusted vertically relative to the floor layer, thereby achieving precise probe positioning without complicating the overall structural design
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable ceiling layer serves multiple functions: it houses the probe array, enables vertical probe movement for gradient measurements, and maintains the contaminant barrier function. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate mechanisms
3Length of moving object
If the interlayer gap is large, then probe movement range is increased, but air exchange between the environment and wells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interlayer gap is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The ceiling layer can move vertically relative to the floor layer, allowing the gap size to be optimized: larger when probe movement range is needed, smaller when minimizing air exchange is the priority
Solution Approach 2:
The physical parameter of the interlayer gap size is made variable. By changing the vertical position of the ceiling layer relative to the floor layer, the gap dimension can be adjusted to balance probe movement requirements against contaminant and evaporation control requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A lid comprises a ceiling layer and a floor layer separated by a gap. The ceiling layer is configured to permit application of a force to a control surface in the floor layer. Application of this force adjusts the gap.