Absorbent Pad for Well Plate Exterior Liquid Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Well plates often accumulate unwanted liquid on their exterior surfaces, which can contaminate samples or interfere with their proper use, and existing methods are inadequate for effectively removing this liquid without causing further contamination or operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A pad with absorbent material and a configured opening array is used to receive and remove liquid from the exterior surfaces of well plates, either through absorption or by conforming to the shape of the wells, and may be supported by a frame for ease of handling and stacking, with optional caps to cover the wells for added protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pad with openings is used to remove liquid from well plates, then liquid removal effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is segmented into multiple openings arranged in an array, with each opening corresponding to a sample well. This segmentation allows liquid to be removed from each well individually while maintaining a simple overall pad structure that can be manufactured as a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad serves multiple functions: it removes liquid from well plates, provides structural support through the frame, and can be stacked for storage. The opening array design allows the same pad structure to work with different well plate configurations (96-well, 384-well plates).
2Reliability
If the pad material is made compliant to conform to sample well shapes, then liquid removal effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pad material's compliance parameter is optimized to provide sufficient flexibility for conforming to sample well shapes while maintaining enough structural integrity for manufacturing precision. This balance allows the pad to adapt to different well geometries without requiring extremely tight tolerances in the opening shapes.
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 effectively removes liquid from well plates, preventing contamination and ensuring proper operation, while the frame and caps enhance handling and storage, making it suitable for both manual and automated systems.
Implementation Method 1
The exterior surfaces of the sample wells may be received by the openings in the pad such that liquid is removed from the exterior surface of the sample well. In some embodiments, the portion of the pad at the openings may contact the exterior surface of the sample wells so that liquid is removed from the sample well, e.g., by absorption.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and method for removing liquid from exterior surfaces of sample wells in a well plate. Wells that have water or other liquid on an exterior surface, e.g., after acoustic energy treatment in a water bath, may have the liquid removed by contacting the exterior surfaces of the sample wells with an absorbent material. A pad made of absorbent material may have a plurality of openings arranged to receive an array of sample wells inserted into the openings so that liquid can be removed from each of the sample wells.