Well Array Filter Layout for Single-Cell Capture and Permeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well array filters face challenges in achieving high single cell capture rates while maintaining liquid permeability, as increasing well opening diameter reduces the number of wells per unit area and decreasing it increases the risk of cells passing through the through-holes.
Innovation Solution
The well array filter design includes a flat filter body with open wells separated by partition walls, featuring two or more through-holes in the well bottom portion, with specific dimensions and positional relationships to ensure high single cell capture rates and favorable liquid permeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the opening diameter of the well is increased to facilitate cell culture and capillary insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the number of wells per unit area decreases, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the well bottom into multiple through-holes (2 or more) instead of using a single through-hole. This segmentation allows the filter to maintain small well openings for high density while providing sufficient total opening area for liquid permeability. The multiple through-holes collectively provide adequate flow paths without requiring individual through-holes to be large, thus maintaining both high productivity and ease of operation.
2Quantity of substance
If the opening diameter of the well is increased to improve liquid permeability, then the ease of operation is improved, but the number of wells per unit area decreases, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The well bottom is segmented into multiple through-holes that collectively provide sufficient liquid permeability. The total opening area of all through-holes combined ensures adequate liquid flow, while each individual through-hole remains small enough to allow high well density. This resolves the contradiction between maintaining liquid permeability and maximizing the number of wells per unit area.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different opening sizes to different functional requirements: small individual through-hole openings (1-5 μm) for high well density, but multiple through-holes per well bottom to collectively provide sufficient total opening area for liquid permeability. This local differentiation of opening sizes allows simultaneous optimization of both productivity and liquid permeability.
3Productivity
If the opening diameter of the well is decreased to increase the number of wells per unit area, then the productivity is improved, but the risk of cells passing through the through-holes increases, worsening reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The well bottom is divided into multiple through-holes (2 or more) with small individual openings (1-5 μm). This segmentation allows the filter to achieve high well density while maintaining reliable cell capture. The multiple small through-holes collectively provide sufficient liquid permeability while each individual through-hole remains small enough to prevent cell passage, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of through-hole configuration from a single large opening to multiple small openings. Specifically, it uses 2 or more through-holes with minimum widths of 1-5 μm, which is smaller than typical cell sizes. This parameter change ensures cells cannot pass through individual through-holes while the collective opening area of multiple through-holes maintains adequate liquid permeability for high productivity.
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 design allows for stable capture of particles one by one in multiple wells, maintaining high single cell rates and liquid permeability, while reducing the flow rate to prevent subsequent particles from entering the same well.
Implementation Method 1
a well array filter for capturing particles such as cells or beads
Implementation Method 2
two or more through-holes that reach the lower surface of the filter body are formed in the well bottom portion
Data Source
AI summary
In a well array filter (1), a plurality of wells (3) are formed in a filter body (2), the wells (3) adjacent to each other are separated by a well partition wall (6), two or more through-holes (8) are formed in a well bottom portion (4), the minimum width of the opening of the through-hole (8) is 1 μm or more and 3.5 μm or less, and the ratio of a total opening area of the through-hole is 0.5% or more and 3.5% or less. Assuming a minimum circumscribed circle (G1) that surrounds all of the through-holes (8) in each well bottom portion (4), when the center is moved to the center of each of the plurality of through-holes (8), all minimum circumscribed circles (G2) after movement at least partially overlap all of the plurality of through-holes (8).