Well Plate Cover Insertion Element Meniscus Disruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for imaging fluid samples in wells face challenges due to the meniscus formed by intermolecular attraction between the fluid and well walls, which distorts images and can lead to air bubbles being trapped, further degrading image quality.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an insertion element with a specifically designed distal end surface, featuring an apex that first contacts the fluid and a receding surface to minimize air bubble trapping, allows for improved imaging by disrupting the meniscus and reducing refraction issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a lens is used to compensate for meniscus refraction, then image quality is improved, but an annular portion of the well near the perimeter cannot be imaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the meniscus (the harmful curved fluid surface) from the imaging path by replacing it with a flat insertion element. This eliminates the refraction problem at the meniscus while preserving the ability to image the entire well including peripheral regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flat insertion element as an intermediary between the illumination source and the fluid sample. This mediator replaces the problematic meniscus interface with a flat surface that does not cause refraction, allowing both high image quality and complete well coverage.
2Measurement precision
If a flat surface element is inserted into the well to disrupt the meniscus, then meniscus refraction is reduced, but air bubbles may be trapped between the flat surface and fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the insertion element by providing a rounded leading edge that contacts the fluid first. This curved geometry allows air to be gradually displaced and escape along the sloped surface, preventing bubble trapping that would occur with a sharp flat edge.
Solution Approach 2:
The rounded leading edge performs the preliminary action of gently contacting and displacing the fluid before the main body of the insertion element enters. This gradual displacement prevents air entrapment by establishing fluid contact in advance of the flat imaging surface.
3Measurement precision
If the insertion element has a large flat area, then it effectively disrupts the meniscus, but air bubbles are more likely to be trapped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different geometric qualities to different parts of the insertion element: a rounded leading edge for fluid displacement and a flat imaging surface for meniscus disruption. This local differentiation allows the flat area to effectively disrupt the meniscus while the rounded edge prevents bubble trapping.
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
This approach effectively reduces image distortion caused by the meniscus while minimizing the likelihood of air bubbles forming, resulting in higher-quality images of the fluid samples.
Implementation Method 1
the meniscus (upper curved surface) that forms due to the intermolecular attraction between the fluid and the well walls
Implementation Method 2
the curvature of meniscus 104 causes incident light 106 to refract at an angle that increases with proximity to the wall of well 100
Implementation Method 3
this may result in an air bubble 140 being trapped between flat surface 132 and fluid sample 102
Data Source
AI summary
A well plate cover includes a base defining a base plane, and a plurality of insertion elements. At least a portion of each of the insertion elements is transparent. Each of the insertion elements is coupled to the base, and extends, in a direction orthogonal to the base plane, from the base to a distal end surface of the insertion element. The distal end surface of each of the insertion elements includes an apex that, when the respective insertion element is inserted into a well of a well plate, extends further into the well than any other portion of the distal end surface. The apex is a point, a line, or a plane having a diameter that is less than one half of a maximum diameter of the distal end surface.