Liquid reservoir, cartridge assembly, and related systems and methods

Abstract

A liquid reservoir, a cartridge assembly, and related systems and methods are disclosed. An exemplary implementation includes a device including a body, a cover, and a lid assembly. The body includes a top surface and a storage chamber having an opening in the top surface. The cover covers or is disposed within the opening of the storage chamber. The lid assembly is coupled to the top surface and covers the opening of the storage chamber. The top surface and the first portion define a plenum. The cover is at least one of penetrable, destructible, or movable to allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum without venting the plenum to the atmosphere.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 412,075, filed September 30, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. [Background technology]

[0002] The sequencing platform may include a sipper that pierces the cover of the reagent reservoir and withdraws the reagent from the reagent reservoir. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Advantages and benefits over the prior art, as described hereinafter in this disclosure, can be achieved through the provision of reagent reservoirs and related systems and methods. Various implementations of the devices and methods are described below, and the devices and methods, including and excluding the additional implementations listed below, in any combination (provided that such combinations are not inconsistent), can overcome these disadvantages and achieve the benefits described herein.

[0004] According to a first implementation, an apparatus includes a system, a liquid reservoir, and a cartridge assembly. The system includes a pneumatic interface, an actuator, and a receptacle. The liquid reservoir is receivable within the receptacle and has a body, a cover, and a lid assembly. The body includes a top surface, a storage chamber having an opening at the top surface, a sipper chamber having an opening at the top surface, and a fluid cavity fluidically coupling the storage chamber and the sipper chamber. The cover covers the opening of the storage chamber, and the lid assembly is coupled to the top surface and has a first portion covering the opening of the storage chamber and a second portion covering the opening of the sipper chamber. The top surface and the first portion define a plenum. The first portion includes a pneumatic port fluidly coupled to the plenum, a cantilever having a distal end, and a compliant barrier covering the cantilever and defining a portion of the plenum. The second portion includes a fluid port fluidly connected to the opening of the sipper chamber. The cartridge assembly includes a fluid interface coupleable to the fluid port, a well, and a channel fluidly coupled between the fluid interface and the well. The actuator is movable to engage the compliant barrier and move the distal end of the cantilever to penetrate the cover and fluidly couple the storage chamber to the plenum.

[0005] According to a second implementation, the device includes a body, a cover, and a lid assembly. The body includes a top surface, a storage chamber having an opening on the top surface, a sipper chamber having an opening on the top surface, and a fluid cavity fluidly coupling the storage chamber and the sipper chamber. The cover covers the opening of the storage chamber. The lid assembly is coupled to the top surface and has a first portion covering the opening of the storage chamber and a second portion covering the opening of the sipper chamber. The top surface and the first portion define a plenum. The first portion includes a pneumatic port fluidly coupled to the plenum, a cantilever having a distal end, and a compliant barrier covering the cantilever and defining a portion of the plenum. The second portion includes a fluid port fluidly connected to the opening of the sipper chamber. The compliant barrier and the cantilever are movable to allow the distal end of the cantilever to penetrate the cover and allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum.

[0006] According to a third implementation, the device includes a body, a cover, and a lid assembly. The body includes a top surface, a storage chamber having an opening on the top surface, a sipper chamber having an opening on the top surface, and a fluid cavity fluidly coupling the storage chamber and the sipper chamber. The cover covers the opening of the storage chamber. The lid assembly is coupled to the top surface and has a first portion covering the opening of the storage chamber and a second portion covering the opening of the sipper chamber. The top surface and the first portion define a plenum. The first portion includes a pneumatic port fluidly coupled to the plenum and a compliant barrier covering the cover and defining a portion of the plenum. The second portion includes a fluid port fluidly connected to the opening of the sipper chamber. The compliant barrier is movable to allow the cover to be penetrated and the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum.

[0007] According to a fourth implementation, the device includes a body, a cover, and a lid assembly. The body includes a top surface, a storage chamber having an opening on the top surface, a sipper chamber having an opening on the top surface, and a fluid cavity fluidly coupling the storage chamber and the sipper chamber. The cover includes a weakened portion and covers the opening of the storage chamber. The lid assembly is coupled to the top surface and has a first portion covering the opening of the storage chamber and a second portion covering the opening of the sipper chamber. The top surface and the first portion define a plenum. The first portion includes a pneumatic port fluidly coupled to the plenum, and the second portion includes a fluid port fluidly coupled to the opening of the sipper chamber. The plenum is pressurized to break the weakened portion and allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum.

[0008] According to a fifth implementation, the device includes a body, a plug, and a lid assembly. The body includes a top surface, a storage chamber having an opening on the top surface, a sipper chamber having an opening on the top surface, and a fluid cavity fluidly coupling the storage chamber and the sipper chamber. The plug is disposed within the opening of the storage chamber and seals the opening of the storage chamber. The lid assembly is coupled to the top surface and has a first portion covering the opening of the storage chamber and a second portion covering the opening of the sipper chamber. The top surface and the first portion define a plenum. The first portion includes a pneumatic port fluidly coupled to the plenum, and the second portion includes a fluid port fluidly coupled to the opening of the sipper chamber. The plenum is pressurized to urge the plug to move within the opening and allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum.

[0009] According to a sixth implementation, a method includes engaging a compliant barrier of a lid assembly of a liquid reservoir. The liquid reservoir includes a body, a cover, and a lid assembly. The body includes a top surface and a storage chamber having an opening in the top surface. The cover covers the opening of the storage chamber. The lid assembly is coupled to the top surface and covers the opening of the storage chamber. The top surface and the lid assembly define a plenum. The lid assembly includes a cantilever having a distal end, and the compliant barrier covers the cantilever and defines a portion of the plenum. The method includes moving the distal end of the cantilever toward the cover and penetrating the cover with the distal end of the cantilever to allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum.

[0010] According to a seventh implementation, a method includes engaging a compliant barrier of a lid assembly of a liquid reservoir. The liquid reservoir includes a body, a cover, and a lid assembly. The body includes a top surface and a storage chamber having an opening in the top surface. The cover covers the opening of the storage chamber. The lid assembly is coupled to the top surface and covers the opening of the storage chamber. The top surface and the lid assembly define a plenum. The lid assembly includes a compliant barrier that defines a portion of the plenum. The method includes moving the compliant barrier toward the cover and penetrating the cover to allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum.

[0011] According to an eighth implementation, a method includes pressurizing a plenum of a liquid reservoir. The liquid reservoir includes a body, a cover, and a lid assembly. The body includes a top surface and a storage chamber having an opening in the top surface. The cover includes a weakened portion covering the opening of the storage chamber. The lid assembly is coupled to the top surface and covers the opening of the storage chamber. The method includes breaking the weakened portion in response to pressurizing the plenum to allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum.

[0012] According to a ninth implementation, a method includes pressurizing a plenum of a liquid reservoir. The liquid reservoir includes a body, a lid assembly, and a plug. The body includes a top surface and a storage chamber having an opening in the top surface. The lid assembly is coupled to the top surface and covers the opening of the storage chamber. The plug is disposed within the opening of the storage chamber and seals the opening of the storage chamber. The top surface and the lid assembly define a plenum. The method includes biasing the plug to move within the opening in response to pressurizing the plenum to allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum.

[0013] According to a tenth implementation, the device includes a body, a cover, and a lid assembly. The body includes a top surface and a storage chamber having an opening in the top surface. The cover covers or is disposed within the opening of the storage chamber. The lid assembly is coupled to the top surface and covers the opening of the storage chamber. The top surface and the first portion define a plenum. The cover is at least one of penetrable, destructible, or movable to allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum without venting the plenum to the atmosphere.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth implementations described above, the apparatus and / or method may further comprise or include any one or more of the following:

[0015] According to one implementation, the engagement between the actuator and the compliant barrier does not vent the plenum to the atmosphere.

[0016] According to another implementation, the device includes a liquid contained within a storage chamber.

[0017] According to another implementation, the device includes dry reagents contained within the wells.

[0018] According to another implementation, the cartridge assembly further includes a flow cell.

[0019] According to another implementation, the cover includes a foil.

[0020] According to another implementation, the compliant barrier comprises an elastomer.

[0021] According to another implementation, the compliant barrier includes a conformable foil.

[0022] According to another implementation, the body of the liquid reservoir has a distal end and includes a port defining an opening, and the cover is coupled to the distal end of the port.

[0023] According to another implementation, the lid assembly includes a body including a cantilever, and the compliant barrier is coupled to the body covering the cantilever.

[0024] According to another implementation, the body includes a living hinge coupled to the cantilever.

[0025] According to another implementation, the distal end of the cantilever includes a protrusion.

[0026] According to another implementation, the protrusion comprises an oblique cone.

[0027] According to another implementation, the pneumatic interface includes a bore, a fitting movably positioned within the bore, and a biasing element that biases the fitting into sealing engagement with the pneumatic port of the lid assembly.

[0028] According to another implementation, the fluid interface of the reagent cartridge includes a hollow protrusion positionable within the fluid port of the lid assembly to fluidly couple to the liquid reservoir and the cartridge assembly.

[0029] According to another implementation, the side of the body defines an outwardly facing groove. The device further includes a cover secured to the side of the body. The groove and the cover define a sipper chamber.

[0030] According to another implementation, the body includes a second storage chamber having an opening on its top surface, a second sipper chamber having an opening on its top surface, and a second fluid cavity fluidically coupling the second storage chamber and the second sipper chamber.

[0031] According to another implementation, a first portion of the lid assembly covers an opening of the second storage chamber, and a second portion of the lid assembly covers an opening of the second sipper chamber. The first portion includes a second cantilever having a distal end and a second compliant barrier covering the second cantilever and defining a portion of a plenum. The second portion includes a second fluid port fluidly connected to the opening of the second sipper chamber.

[0032] According to another implementation, the body and lid assembly includes a manifold that includes a plenum, an opening to the storage chamber, and an opening to the second storage chamber.

[0033] According to another implementation, the lid assembly includes a pair of locating pins and the body includes a pair of corresponding locating holes.

[0034] According to another implementation, the device includes a housing in which the body is disposed, the housing having an end defining an opening, and a lid assembly positioned within the housing and accessible through the opening.

[0035] According to another implementation, the device includes a housing cover coupled to the housing to retain the body and lid assembly within the housing.

[0036] According to another implementation, the device includes a snap-fit ​​connection formed between the housing cover and the housing.

[0037] According to another implementation, the housing cover defines an aperture that allows access to the compliant barrier when the housing cover is coupled to the housing.

[0038] According to another implementation, the lid assembly includes a body defining an opening, and a compliant barrier coupled to the body and covering the opening.

[0039] According to another implementation, the compliant barrier includes an outer wall, a central portion, and a groove at least partially surrounding the central portion. The outer wall is coupled to a body surrounding the aperture.

[0040] According to another implementation, the compliant barrier includes a U-shaped portion connecting the outer wall and the central portion, The U-shaped portion, the outer wall, and the central portion define a groove.

[0041] According to another implementation, the central portion includes outwardly tapered U-shaped walls that define a groove.

[0042] According to another implementation, the central portion includes a lower surface, and the compliant barrier has a portion that is vertically spaced from the lower surface and defines a groove positioned near the cover that covers the opening of the storage chamber.

[0043] According to another implementation, the compliant barrier includes an outer portion and a central portion vertically spaced from the outer portion, The outer portion is coupled to the body surrounding the opening.

[0044] According to another implementation, the lid assembly includes a body including a cantilever, and the compliant barrier is coupled to the body covering the cantilever.

[0045] According to another implementation, the cantilever includes a distal end, a neck portion, and a proximal end. The body includes an living hinge coupled to the proximal end of the cantilever.

[0046] According to another implementation, the distal end has an oval portion.

[0047] According to another implementation, the cantilever has a tapered surface extending between the neck portion and the living hinge.

[0048] According to another implementation, the distal end has a first thickness and the proximal end has a second thickness that is less than the first thickness.

[0049] According to another implementation, the distal end of the cantilever includes a protrusion.

[0050] According to another implementation, the protrusion defines a notch that defines the vent.

[0051] According to another implementation, the protrusion comprises a polyhedron.

[0052] According to another implementation, the protrusion includes a lip and a tip.

[0053] According to another implementation, the penetrated compliant barrier does not vent the plenum to the atmosphere.

[0054] According to another implementation, the compliant barrier includes a conformable foil.

[0055] According to another implementation, the weakened portion includes a line of weakness.

[0056] According to another implementation, breaking the weakened portion does not vent the plenum to the atmosphere.

[0057] According to another implementation, the body includes a step that is engaged by the plug.

[0058] According to another implementation, piercing the cover at the distal end of the cantilever does not vent the plenum to atmosphere.

[0059] According to another implementation, the method includes coupling a fluid interface of a cartridge assembly to a fluid port of a liquid reservoir. The liquid reservoir has a body defining a storage chamber, a sipper chamber, and a fluid cavity fluidly coupling the storage chamber and the sipper chamber. The method also includes flowing liquid from the storage chamber through the sipper chamber and the fluid port to the fluid interface.

[0060] According to another implementation, the method includes rehydrating with a liquid a dried reagent contained in a well of a cartridge assembly, the cartridge assembly including a well, a fluidic interface, and a channel fluidically coupled between the fluidic interface and the well.

[0061] According to another implementation, piercing the cover does not vent the plenum to the atmosphere.

[0062] According to another implementation, the compliant barrier includes a conformable foil.

[0063] According to another implementation, breaking the weakened portion does not vent the plenum to the atmosphere.

[0064] According to another implementation, the method includes engaging a plug with a step in the body.

[0065] According to another implementation, the cover includes a plug.

[0066] According to another implementation, the cover includes a foil.

[0067] According to another implementation, the cover includes a weakened portion.

[0068] It is understood that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts, described in more detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent), are considered to be part of the subject matter disclosed herein and / or can be combined to achieve particular benefits of particular embodiments. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are considered to be part of the subject matter disclosed herein. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0069] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic diagram of one implementation of a system according to the teachings of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2A-2C show schematic diagrams of example implementations of the system, liquid reservoir, and cartridge assembly that can be used to implement the system, liquid reservoir, and the liquid reservoir of FIG. 1; [Figure 3] 2 shows an enlarged isometric view of an example implementation of a liquid reservoir that can be used to implement the liquid reservoir of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional isometric view of the liquid reservoir of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a top isometric view of a compliant barrier coupled to the body of the liquid reservoir of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 1. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplary implementation of a compliant barrier that can be used to implement the compliant barrier of the lid assembly of FIG. [Figure 7] 1. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplary implementation of a compliant barrier that can be used to implement the compliant barrier of the lid assembly of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the lid assembly of FIG. 3 including a compliant barrier. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the cantilever of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 2 is a bottom view of another exemplary implementation of a cantilever that can be used to implement the cantilever of FIG. 1. [Figure 11]2 is a bottom view of another exemplary implementation of a cantilever that can be used to implement the cantilever of FIG. 1. [Figure 12] 1. FIG. 4 is a bottom isometric view of another example implementation of a portion of a lid assembly including a compliant barrier that can be used to implement the lid assembly of FIG. [Figure 13] 2A-2C show schematic diagrams of example implementations of the system, liquid reservoir, and cartridge assembly that can be used to implement the system, liquid reservoir, and the liquid reservoir of FIG. 1; [Figure 14] 2 shows a schematic diagram of a system and liquid reservoir implementation that can be used to implement the system and liquid reservoir of FIG. 1; [Figure 15] 2 shows a schematic diagram of a system and liquid reservoir implementation that can be used to implement the system and liquid reservoir of FIG. 1; [Figure 16] A flowchart of a method of using the liquid reservoirs of Figures 1-14, the cartridge assemblies of Figures 1, 2, and 13, and the systems of Figures 1, 2, 13, 14, and 15, or any of the other disclosed implementations, is shown. [Figure 17] A flowchart of a method of using the liquid reservoirs of Figures 1-14, the cartridge assemblies of Figures 1, 2, and 13, and the systems of Figures 1, 2, 13, 14, and 15, or any of the other disclosed implementations, is shown. [Figure 18] A flowchart of a method of using the liquid reservoirs of Figures 1-14, the cartridge assemblies of Figures 1, 2, and 13, and the systems of Figures 1, 2, 13, 14, and 15, or any of the other disclosed implementations, is shown. [Figure 19] A flowchart of a method of using the liquid reservoirs of Figures 1-14, the cartridge assemblies of Figures 1, 2, and 13, and the systems of Figures 1, 2, 13, 14, and 15, or any of the other disclosed implementations, is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0070] Although the following text discloses detailed descriptions of implementations of methods, apparatus, and / or products, it should be understood that the legal scope of ownership is defined by the claims at the end of this patent. Accordingly, the following "Detailed Description" should be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible implementation, as describing every possible implementation would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative implementations may be implemented using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent. It is contemplated that such alternative implementations would still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0071] The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a liquid reservoir, a cartridge assembly, and related systems. In some embodiments, the liquid reservoir includes a plenum and storage chambers, each having an opening and containing a liquid. The plenum may be referred to as a pressurized chamber. The liquid may be a liquid reagent.

[0072] The opening of the storage chamber may be sealed from the plenum by a cover and / or a plug. The plenum is fluidly coupled to the storage chamber during operation by breaking the cover and / or by moving the plug without venting the plenum to the atmosphere and / or without the system directly contacting the liquid contained in the storage chamber. A system without direct contact with liquid reduces the possibility of cross-contamination between reagents, for example, reducing the possibility of accumulation of reagents and / or associated salts in the system that could clog the flow channel. A system without direct contact with liquid in the storage chamber (e.g., a sequencing system) also allows the system to be simpler and therefore less expensive. Because the system does not directly contact liquid, it may be referred to as a "dry instrument." The systems disclosed herein may still be considered "dry instruments" even if the system has a waste reservoir that receives liquid from a liquid reservoir.

[0073] Some implementations of the liquid reservoir include a body including a top surface, a storage chamber having an opening on the top surface, a sipper chamber having an opening on the top surface, and a fluid cavity fluidly coupling the storage chamber and the sipper chamber. A cover, such as a foil cover, covers the opening of the storage chamber. The sipper chamber may be referred to as a fluid cavity, and in some implementations, may be formed between the body and the cover. In such implementations, the fluid cavity in the body couples the storage chamber with an outward groove on the side of the body. The cover is secured to the side of the body, and the groove and the cover define a sipper fluid path.

[0074] The liquid reservoir also includes a lid assembly coupled to the top surface. The lid assembly may have a first portion covering the opening of the storage chamber and a second portion covering the opening of the sipper chamber. The top surface and the first portion define a plenum. The first portion of the lid assembly includes a pneumatic port fluidly coupled to the plenum, a cantilever having a distal end, and a compliant barrier covering the cantilever and defining a portion of the plenum. The second portion has a fluid port fluidly connected to the opening of the sipper chamber. The compliant barrier and cantilever are movable during operation to allow the distal end of the cantilever to penetrate the cover, allowing the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum. The cover may be penetrated in a different manner, but the liquid reservoir may not include a cantilever in such an implementation.

[0075] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of one implementation of a system 100 according to the teachings of the present disclosure. System 100 can be used to perform analyses on one or more target samples. The samples may include one or more DNA clusters that are linearized to form single-stranded DNA (sstDNA). In the illustrated implementation, system 100 accepts a liquid reservoir 102 and a cartridge assembly 103 and includes, in part, a pneumatic interface 104, an actuator 106, a receptacle 108, a regulator 110, a gas source 112, a drive assembly 114, a controller 116, an imaging system 118, and a waste reservoir 120. Liquid reservoir 102 may also be referred to as a consumable, reagent reservoir, or reagent assembly. Waste reservoir 120 may alternatively be carried by liquid reservoir 102, as an example. The controller 116 is electrically and / or communicatively coupled to the actuator 106, the regulator 110, the drive assembly 114, and the imaging system 118, and causes the actuator 106, the regulator 110, the drive assembly 114, and / or the imaging system 118 to perform various functions as disclosed herein.

[0076] The liquid reservoir 102 is receivable within the receptacle 108 and includes a body 122, a cover 124, and a lid assembly 126. The body 122 has a top surface 128 and a storage chamber 130 having an opening 132 in the top surface 128. The body 122 also has a sipper chamber 134 having an opening 136 in the top surface 128, and a fluid cavity 138 fluidly coupling the storage chamber 130 and the sipper chamber 134. The sipper chamber 134 may be referred to as a sipper fluid pathway and / or a sipper channel.

[0077] The cover 124 covers the opening 132 of the storage chamber 130, and the lid assembly 126 is coupled to the top surface 128. The lid assembly 128 may be laser welded to the top surface 128 of the liquid reservoir 102. The lid assembly 128 may be coupled to the top surface 128 in different ways, including, for example, using an adhesive or another bond. The cover 124 may be implemented with plastic, foil, rubber, a seal, and / or a plug. The lid assembly 126 has a first portion 140 that covers the opening 132 of the storage chamber 130 and a second portion 142 that covers the opening 136 of the sipper chamber 134. The top surface 128 and the second portion 142 of the body 122 define a plenum 144.

[0078] The first portion 140 of the lid assembly 126 includes a pneumatic port 146, a cantilever 148, and a compliant barrier 150. The cantilever 148 and the compliant barrier 150 may be formed using a two-shot molding process in some implementations. The compliant barrier 150 may be formed from a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), by way of example. The compliant barrier 150 may have a thickness of approximately 0.9 millimeters (mm). However, the compliant barrier 150 may be made from another material and / or may have a different thickness.

[0079] Pneumatic port 146 is fluidly coupled to plenum 144. Cantilever 148 is sometimes referred to as a penetration. Cantilever 148 has a distal end 152, and compliant barrier 150 covers cantilever 148 and defines a portion 154 of plenum 144. Second portion 142 includes a fluid port 156 that is fluidly connected to opening 136 of sipper chamber 134.

[0080] Cartridge assembly 103 has a fluid interface 158, a well 160, and a channel 162 fluidly coupled between fluid interface 158 and well 160. Fluid interface 158 is shown coupled to fluid port 156 in the illustrated implementation.

[0081] The cartridge assembly 103 also includes a flow cell 163 in the illustrated implementation. The cartridge assembly 103 may carry the flow cell 163 such that the flow cell 163 is integrated into the cartridge assembly 103. As used herein, a "flow cell" may include a device having a lid extending above a reaction structure to form a flow channel therebetween that is in communication with multiple reaction sites of the reaction structure, and may include a detection device that detects a specified reaction occurring at or near the reaction sites. The sample cartridge 163 may carry a sample of interest. The cartridge assembly 103 may alternatively include a flow cell receptacle 164 that receives the flow cell 163.

[0082] Actuator 106 is movable such that during operation it engages compliant barrier 150 and moves distal end 152 of cantilever 148 to penetrate cover 124, allowing storage chamber 130 to be fluidly coupled to plenum 144. Thus, system 100 can indirectly actuate cantilever 148 without system 100 compromising and / or accessing the interior of liquid reservoir 102. Engagement between actuator 106 and compliant barrier 150 results in not venting plenum 144 to atmosphere.

[0083] A liquid 165 is contained within the storage chamber 130, and a dry reagent 166 is contained within the wells 160. The liquid 165 may be a rehydration liquid and / or a wash buffer. However, the liquid 165 may be a different type of liquid. The dry reagent 166 may be a lyophilized reagent, as one example. The liquid reservoir 102 may include any number of storage chambers 130, including one storage chamber as shown, and the cartridge assembly 103 may include any number of wells 160, including one well as shown. The number of storage chambers 130 included in the liquid reservoir 102 may correspond to the number of wells 160 included in the cartridge assembly 103, in some examples.

[0084] The liquid reservoir 102 and / or cartridge assembly 103 comprise a thermoplastic material. The liquid reservoir 102 and / or cartridge assembly 103 may additionally or alternatively comprise polypropylene and / or cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) with overmolded Santoprene thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or another thermoplastic elastomer. Other materials may prove suitable for the liquid reservoir 102 and / or cartridge assembly 103.

[0085] The cover 124 covering the opening 132 may include a foil 168, and the compliant barrier 150 may include an elastomer 170 and / or a conformable foil 172. The foil 168, in some implementations, may be a foil having a lacquer backing for bonding to the thermoplastic material of the body 122. The lacquer is a coating applied to the cover 124 that promotes bonding to the body 122 when, for example, heat staked. The elastomer 170 may include rubber. The cover 124 and / or the compliant barrier 150 may additionally or alternatively include plastic. The body 122 of the liquid reservoir 102 includes a port 174 having a distal end 176 that defines the opening 132 in the illustrated implementation. The cover 124 is bonded to the distal end 176 of the port 174. The cover 124 may alternatively be bonded within the port 174, for example to seal the port 174. Alternatively, the port 174 may be omitted.

[0086] The foil 168 is pierced by the cantilever 148 during operation, for example, before the storage chamber 130 is pressurized by the gas source 112. The cantilever 148 piercing the cover 124 can allow the pneumatic interface 104 to pressurize the storage chamber 130. The actuator 106 may engage and move the elastomer 170 and / or conformable foil 172 in the direction generally indicated by arrow 178, which in turn moves the distal end 152 of the cantilever 148 in the direction generally indicated by arrow 178, piercing the foil 168.

[0087] The lid assembly 126 in the illustrated implementation includes a body 180 having a cantilever 148, and a compliant barrier 150 is coupled to the body 180 and covers the cantilever 148. The body 180 has a hole 182, and the compliant barrier 150 covers the hole 182. The hole 182 may alternatively be referred to as an opening or window. The actuator 106 can move the cantilever 148 by moving the compliant barrier 150 relative to and / or through the hole 182. A larger hole 182 may reduce the amount of force used to actuate the cantilever 148.

[0088] The body 180 has a living hinge 184 coupled to the cantilever 148. The living hinge 184 allows the cantilever 148 to move relative to the rest of the body 180 and allows the cantilever 148 to penetrate the cover 124. However, the cantilever 148 may be movably coupled to the body 180 in different ways.

[0089] The distal end 152 of the cantilever 148 has a protrusion 186 in the illustrated implementation. The protrusion 186 may be adapted to pierce the cover 124 and allow the cover 124 to be pneumatically coupled to the plenum 144. The protrusion 186 may be shaped to pierce the cover 124 with a lesser amount of force. The protrusion 186 may be an angled cone 188. The angled cone 188 protrusion 186 may orient a tip 189 of the protrusion 186 so that it is substantially perpendicular to the cover 124 when the protrusion 186 is actuated to pierce the cover 124. As a result, the protrusion 186 can pierce the cover 124 with less applied force. However, the protrusion 186 may have any other shape, and / or the tip 189 may be in any other position. For example, the protrusion 186 may be a polyhedron 1204 (see FIG. 12 ), such as a pyramid.

[0090] Cartridge assembly 103 includes cover 190, which is shown over well 160. Cover 190 can include and / or form vent holes 192 that allow air flow from well 160. Vent holes 192 are sized to substantially retain dry reagent 166 within well 160. The use of dry reagent 166 in disclosed implementations can simplify storage requirements, reduce shipping costs, and increase workflow speed, for example, by avoiding thawing time before the reagent can be used.

[0091] Well 160 includes port 194 through which liquid 165 can actually flow into well 160 to rehydrate dried reagent 166. Vent 192 allows gas to escape from well 160 as liquid 165 flows into well 160, and cover 190 prevents or inhibits dried reagent 166 and / or liquid 165 from escaping well 160. In other words, vent 192 keeps dried reagent 166 and / or liquid 165 within well 160 and prevents or inhibits dried reagent 166 and / or liquid 165 from migrating out of well 160. Vent 192 and cover 190 prevent or inhibit cross-contamination between reagents when liquid reservoir 102 includes two or more wells 160. To mix the liquid 165 from the liquid reservoir 102 with the dry reagent 166, the liquid 165 and the dry reagent 166 can flow into and out of the well 160. The system 100 and / or the liquid reservoir 102 can, in some implementations, include a mixing chamber that is used to mix the liquid 165 and the dry reagent 166.

[0092] The gas source 112 can be used to pressurize the liquid reservoir 102 to cause the liquid 165 to flow into the wells 160, and / or the pump 196 can draw the liquid 165 from the liquid reservoir 102 and cause the liquid 165 to flow into the wells 160 to rehydrate the dried reagent 166. The pump 196, in some implementations, can also be used to draw the rehydrated reagent from the wells 160 to the flow cell 163. The gas source 112 can be provided by the system 100 and / or can be carried by the liquid reservoir 102. Alternatively, the gas source 112 can be omitted.

[0093] Cartridge assembly 103 may include pump 196 as shown, and / or pump 196 may be part of system 100. Alternatively, pump 196 may be omitted. Pump 196 may be implemented by a syringe pump, a peristaltic pump, a diaphragm pump, etc. Although pump 196 may be located downstream of flow cell 163 as shown, pump 196 may also be located upstream of flow cell 163 or may be omitted entirely.

[0094] The cartridge assembly 103 is shown including a valve 198 that may be operable to control the flow of liquid 165 from the liquid reservoir 102 to the well 160 and / or flow cell 163. The valve 198 may be implemented by a three-way valve, a valve manifold, a rotary valve, a selector valve, a pinch valve, a flat valve, a solenoid valve, a check valve, a piezo valve, or the like.

[0095] The liquid reservoir 102 and / or the system 100 include a valve 200 that may be selectively actuable to control the flow of fluid (gas) into the liquid reservoir 102. The valve 200 may be implemented by a valve manifold, a rotary valve, a selector valve, a pinch valve, a flat valve, a solenoid valve, a check valve, a piezo valve, etc. The regulator 110 may be disposed between the gas source 112 and the valve 200 and adjusts the pressure of the gas provided to the valve 200. The regulator 110 may be a valve that controls the flow of gas from the gas source 112.

[0096] The gas source 112 and / or pump 196 can flow liquid 165 to rehydrate the dry reagents 166 and flow one or more liquid reagents (e.g., A, T, G, C nucleotides) through the liquid reservoir 102, which interacts with the sample. The gas source 112 can flow liquid 165 to rehydrate the dry reagents 166 on the cartridge assembly 103, and the pump 196 on the cartridge assembly 103 can flow the rehydrated reagents (e.g., A, T, G, C nucleotides) into, for example, a flow cell 163, which interacts with the sample. In one implementation, a reagent with a reversible terminator allows a single nucleotide to be incorporated by the sstDNA per cycle. In such an implementation, one or more of the nucleotides has a unique fluorescent label that emits a color when excited. The color (or lack thereof) is used to detect the corresponding nucleotide. In the illustrated implementation, imaging system 118 excites one or more of the distinguishable labels (e.g., fluorescent labels) and then acquires image data of the distinguishable labels. The labels may be excited by incident light and / or a laser, and the image data may include one or more colors emitted by each label in response to the excitation. The image data (e.g., detection data) may be analyzed by system 100. Imaging system 118 may be a fluorescence spectrophotometer including an objective lens and / or a solid-state imager. The solid-state imager may include a charge coupled device (CCD) and / or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS).

[0097] After the image data is acquired, the drive assembly 114 interfaces with the fluid reservoir 102 to flow another reaction component (e.g., a reagent) through the flow cell 163, which is then received by the waste reservoir 120 and / or otherwise discharged by the cartridge assembly 103. The reaction components perform a flushing action that chemically cleaves the fluorescent label and reversible terminator from the sstDNA. The sstDNA is then ready for another cycle.

[0098] Referring now to drive assembly 114, in the implementation shown, drive assembly 114 includes a pump drive assembly 202 and a valve drive assembly 204. Pump drive assembly 202 interfaces with pump 196 to pump fluid through liquid reservoir 102 and / or flow cell 163, and valve drive assembly 204 interfaces with valves 198 and / or 200 to control the position of valves 198 and / or 200.

[0099] Referring to the controller 116, in the illustrated implementation, the controller 116 includes a user interface 206, a communication interface 208, one or more processors 210, and a memory 212 that stores instructions executable by the one or more processors 210 to perform various functions, including the disclosed implementations. The user interface 206, the communication interface 208, and the memory 212 are electrically and / or communicatively coupled to the one or more processors 210.

[0100] In implementations, the user interface 206 receives input from a user and provides the user with information associated with the operation of the system 100 and / or the analyses performed. The user interface 206 may include a touchscreen, a display, a keyboard, a speaker, a mouse, a trackball, and / or a voice recognition system. The touchscreen and / or the display may display a graphical user interface (GUI).

[0101] In implementations, communication interface 208 enables communication between system 100 and a remote system (e.g., a computer) over a network. The network may include an intranet, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), an intranet, etc. Some of the communications provided to the remote system may be related to analysis results, imaging data, etc. generated or otherwise obtained by system 100. Some of the communications provided to system 100 may be related to fluid analysis operations, patient records, and / or protocols performed by system 100.

[0102] One or more processors 210 and / or system 100 may include one or more of a processor-based system or a microprocessor-based system. In some implementations, one or more processors 210 and / or system 100 include a reduced instruction set computer (RISC), application specific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), field programmable logic device (FPLD), logic circuit, and / or another logic-based device that performs various functions, including those described herein.

[0103] The memory 212 may include one or more of a hard disk drive, flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), random access memory (RAM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) memory, compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), cache, and / or any other storage device or storage disk on which information is stored for any period of time (e.g., permanently, temporarily, long-term, buffering, caching).

[0104] 2 shows a schematic diagram of an example implementation of a system 300, a liquid reservoir 302, and a cartridge assembly 304 that can be used to implement the system 100, liquid reservoir 102, and liquid reservoir 102 of FIG. 1. The body 122 is shown defining a sipper chamber 134 in the illustrated implementation. Alternatively, the side of the body 122 may define an outward-facing groove, and a cover may be secured to the side of the body 122 to cover the groove. The groove and cover may form the sipper chamber 134 in such an example. The cover may include a laminate.

[0105] The system 300 includes a pneumatic interface 104 and an actuator 106 having an actuator rod 306 with a distal end 308. The pneumatic interface 104 has a bore 310, a fitting 312 movably disposed within the bore 310, and a biasing element 316. The biasing element 316 biases the fitting 312 into sealing engagement with the pneumatic port 146 of the lid assembly 126 during operation. The pneumatic interface 104 can establish a fluid connection with the liquid reservoir 102, thereby enabling the gas source 112 to pressurize the storage chamber 130.

[0106] The fitting 312 is shown as being cylindrical and having a through hole 318. The biasing element 316 is shown as a coil spring 320. However, the biasing element 316 may be configured differently and may be implemented by a spring, a rubber spring, or a Belleville washer, as examples.

[0107] The fluid interface 158 of the cartridge assembly 103 has a hollow protrusion 322 disposed within the fluid port 156 of the lid assembly 126 to fluidly couple the liquid reservoir 102 and the cartridge assembly 304. The hollow protrusion 322 is conical in the illustrated implementation, for example, to facilitate alignment when coupling the liquid reservoir 102 and the cartridge assembly 103. The cartridge assembly 304 includes a fluid line 324 that can be fluidly coupled to the well 160, for example.

[0108] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged isometric view of an example implementation of a liquid reservoir 400 that can be used to implement the liquid reservoir 102 of FIG. 1. The liquid reservoir 400 of FIG. 3 includes a body 122, a storage chamber 130 having an opening 132, and a cover 124 that covers the opening 132 of the storage chamber 130. The body 122 of the liquid reservoir 400 of FIG. 3 also includes a second storage chamber 402 having an opening 404 in its upper surface 128, a second sipper chamber 406 having an opening 408 in its upper surface 128, and a second fluid cavity (similar to fluid cavity 138) that fluidly couples the second storage chamber 402 and the second sipper chamber 406. The cover 124 is shown covering the opening 404 of the second storage chamber 402. Alternatively, a separate cover may be used to cover the opening 404 of the second storage chamber 402. The second storage chamber 402, in the illustrated implementation, contains a liquid 410. The liquid 410 may be the same as or different from the liquid 165.

[0109] The liquid reservoir 400 includes a lid assembly 126 having a first portion 140 that covers the openings 132, 404 of the first and second storage chambers 130, 402 and a second portion 142 that covers the openings 136, 408 of the first and second sipper chambers 134, 406. The body 122 and lid assembly 126 include a manifold 411 in the illustrated implementation. The manifold 411 includes a plenum 144 and the openings 132, 404 of the first and second storage chambers 130, 402. The manifold 411 allows, for example, one or more of the storage chambers 130, 402 to be pressurized by the system 100.

[0110] The first portion 140 of the lid assembly 126 also includes a second cantilever 412 having a distal end 152 and a second compliant barrier 414 covering the second cantilever 412 and defining a portion 416 of the plenum 144. The second portion 142 of the lid assembly 126 has a second fluid port 418 positioned to be fluidly coupled to the opening 408 of the second sipper chamber 406. The coupling between the fluid port 156, 418 and the openings 136, 408 of the sipper chambers 134, 406 allows liquid 165, 410 to flow from the storage chambers 130, 402 to the cartridge assembly 103, for example, to rehydrate the dried reagent 166.

[0111] In the illustrated implementation, the lid assembly 126 has a pair of locating pins 420, 422 and the body 122 has a pair of corresponding locating holes 424, 426 that are received within the locating holes 424, 426 to position the cantilever 148, 412 over the cover 124 and opening 132, 404 such that the fluid port 156, 418 is aligned with and / or fluidly coupled to the sipper chamber 134, 406.

[0112] The liquid reservoir 400 also includes, in the illustrated implementation, a housing 428 in which the body 122 is disposed. The housing 428 has an end 430 that defines an opening 432, and the lid assembly 126 is disposed within the housing 428 and accessible through the opening 432. The housing 428 provides a space 434 between the top surface 128 of the body 122 and the end 430 of the housing 428, within which the lid assembly 126 can be disposed.

[0113] The liquid reservoir 400, in the illustrated implementation, includes a housing cover 436 coupled to a housing 428 and positioned to retain the body 122 and lid assembly 126 within the housing 428. When the housing cover 436 and the housing 428 are coupled, a snap-fit ​​connection 438 is formed between the housing cover 436 and the housing 428. However, the housing cover 436 and the housing 428 may be coupled in different ways. The housing cover 436 is shown defining a hole 440 that allows access to the compliant barrier 150 covering the cantilever 148 when the housing cover 436 is coupled to the housing 428. The housing cover 436 also defines a second hole 442 and includes a notch 444. The second hole 442 allows access to the second compliant barrier 414 covering the second cantilever 412, and the notch 444 allows access to the fluid ports 156, 418.

[0114] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional isometric view of the liquid reservoir 400 of FIG. 3. The lid assembly 126 is shown having a body 180 defining an aperture 132, with a compliant barrier 150 coupled to the body 180 and covering the aperture 132. The body 180 of the lid assembly 126 also has a port 174 including an outer wall 446 and a lower wall 448. The lower wall 448 has a conical portion 450 defining an aperture 452 coupled to the storage chamber 130. The conical portion 450 extends outward toward the cover 124. The conical portion 450 can, by way of example, facilitate backflow of any liquid 165 flowing out of the storage container 130 and into the port 174 back into the storage container 130.

[0115] FIG. 5 is a top isometric view of a compliant barrier 150 coupled to the body 180 of the liquid reservoir 400 of FIG. 3. The compliant barrier 150 has an outer wall 500, a central portion 502, and a groove 504 that at least partially surrounds the central portion 502. The groove 504 may allow the central portion 502 to be actuated or otherwise moved downwardly with a reduced amount of applied force. The outer wall 500 is coupled to the body 180 surrounding the aperture 182. The compliant barrier 150 has a U-shaped portion 506 that couples the outer wall 500 and the central portion 502. The U-shaped portion 506, the outer wall 500, and the central portion 502 define the groove 504. The central portion 502 also has an outwardly tapered U-shaped wall 508 that defines the groove 504. The U-shaped wall 508 is correspondingly coupled to the U-shaped portion 506. Central portion 502 has a proximal end 510 that is coupled to outer wall 500. An outwardly tapered U-shaped portion 506 is shown positioned between U-shaped wall 508 and outer wall 500, although U-shaped portion 506 is not shown positioned between proximal end 510 and outer wall 500.

[0116] 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplary implementation of a compliant barrier 600 that may be used to implement the compliant barrier 150 of the lid assembly 126 of FIG. 1. The compliant barrier 600 includes an outer portion 602, a central portion 604, and a groove 504. The outer portion 602 and the central portion 604 have a substantially coplanar outer surface 605. However, the outer portion 602 and the central portion 604 may be vertically spaced apart.

[0117] The central portion 604 has a lower surface 606 in the illustrated implementation, and the compliant barrier 600 has a portion 608 defining the groove 504 that is vertically spaced from the lower surface 606. The portion 608 of the compliant barrier 600 is positioned so as to be positioned closer to the cover 124 that covers the opening 132 of the storage chamber 130. The compliant barrier 600 also includes a step 610 in the illustrated implementation that receives at least a portion of the distal end 152 of the cantilever 148. The compliant barrier 600 also includes a lip 612, and the body 180 includes a groove 614 that receives the lip 612. The lip 612 and / or the groove 614 may alternatively be omitted.

[0118] 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplary implementation of a lid assembly 700 and a compliant barrier 701 that can be used to implement the compliant barrier 150 of the lid assembly 126 of FIG. 1. The compliant barrier 701 has an outer portion 702 and a central portion 704 vertically spaced from the outer portion 702. In the implementation shown, the outer portion 702 completely surrounds the central portion 704. The body 180 of the lid assembly 700 has a wall 706 that surrounds each of the holes 182 and corresponding compliant barriers 701.

[0119] 8 is a bottom isometric view of the lid assembly 126 of FIG. 3 including a compliant barrier 150. The body 180 of the lid assembly 126 in the illustrated implementation includes a cantilever 148, and the compliant barrier 150 is coupled to the body 180 and covers the cantilever 148. The cantilever 148 has a distal end 152, a neck portion 800, and a proximal end 802. The neck portion 800, by way of example, reduces the amount of contact area between the cantilever 148 and the compliant barrier 150. The body 180 includes a living hinge 184 coupled to the proximal end 802 of the cantilever 148.

[0120] Distal end 152 has an oval portion 804. However, oval portion 804 may be a different shape. Oval portion 804 is sized to allow actuator 106 to easily engage oval portion 804. Oval portion 804, in the illustrated implementation, carries protrusion 186 that includes angled cone 188. Tip 189 of angled cone 188 is off-center. Protrusion 186 is also closer to distal end 152 than neck portion 800. However, tip 189 and / or protrusion 186 may be positioned differently.

[0121] The neck portion 800 has a smaller width compared to the distal end 152 and the corresponding oval portion 804. The cantilever 148 has a tapered surface 806 extending between the neck portion 800 and the living hinge 184. As a result, the thickness of the proximal end 802 is less at the junction between the proximal end 802 and the living hinge 184 than at the junction between the proximal end 802 and the living hinge 184. However, the thickness of the cantilever 148 may differ from that shown. The distal end 152 has a first thickness 808, and the proximal end 802 has a second thickness 810 that is less than the first thickness 808. The proximal end 802, having the second thickness 811, forms the living hinge 184.

[0122] Figure 9 is a bottom view of the cantilever 148 of Figure 8. The cantilever 148 includes a neck portion 800, a proximal end 802, and a distal end 152 that includes an elliptical portion 804. The length of the cantilever 148 and / or the size of the distal end 152 can affect the amount of force used to actuate the cantilever 148. A cantilever 148 with a longer length and / or a distal end 152 with a larger surface area, as an example, can reduce the amount of force used to actuate the cantilever 148.

[0123] Figure 10 is a bottom view of another exemplary implementation of a cantilever 1000 that can be used to implement the cantilever 148 of Figure 1. The cantilever 1000 is similar to the cantilever 148 of Figure 9. However, the distal end 152 of the cantilever 1000 of Figure 10 includes a circular portion 1002 that includes a protrusion 186. The protrusion 186 is shown centrally disposed in the circular portion 1002. The cantilever 1000 also includes a neck portion 1004 that is longer than the neck portion 800 of the cantilever 148 of Figure 9.

[0124] Figure 11 is a bottom view of another exemplary implementation of a cantilever 1100 that can be used to implement the cantilever 148 of Figure 1. The cantilever 1100 is similar to the cantilever 1000 of Figure 10. The cantilever 1100 of Figure 11 omits the circular portion 1002, and the protrusion 186 includes a notch 1102 that defines a vent hole 1104. When the protrusion 186 penetrates the cover 124 and / or blocks the penetration in the cover 124 formed by the protrusion 186, the vent hole 1104 allows the storage chamber 130 and the plenum 144 to be fluidly coupled.

[0125] FIG. 12 is a bottom isometric view of another exemplary implementation of a portion of a lid assembly 1200 including a compliant barrier 150 that can be used to implement the lid assembly 128 of FIG. 1. The lid assembly 1200 is similar to the lid assembly 128 of FIG. 1. However, the lid assembly 1200 of FIG. 12 includes another exemplary implementation of a cantilever 1202. The cantilever 1202 includes a protrusion 182, which in the illustrated implementation is implemented by a polyhedron 1204. The polyhedron 1204 is sometimes referred to as a slicer. The polyhedron 1204 is disposed toward the distal end 152 of the cantilever 1202 and includes an edge 1206 and a tip 189. Thus, the protrusion 182 includes the edge 1206 and the tip 189 in the illustrated implementation. The tip 189 and the edge 1206 of the polyhedron 1204 are configured to penetrate and cut through the cover 124.

[0126] Figure 13 shows a schematic diagram of an example implementation of a system 300, a liquid reservoir 1204, and a cartridge assembly 304 that can be used to implement the system 100, liquid reservoir 102, and the liquid reservoir 102 of Figure 1. The liquid reservoir 1204 of Figure 13 is similar to the liquid reservoir 302 of Figure 2. However, the lid assembly 126 of the liquid reservoir 1204 of Figure 13 does not include the cantilever 148, and the compliant barrier 150 includes a conformable foil 172.

[0127] The distal end 308 of the actuator rod 306 moves the conformable foil 172 during operation to allow the cover 124 to be penetrated and the storage chamber 130 to be fluidly coupled to the plenum 144. The conformable foil 172 itself is not penetrated during the process of penetrating the conformable foil 172. The compliant barrier 150, which is penetrated, does not result in the plenum 144 being vented to the atmosphere.

[0128] Figure 14 shows a schematic diagram of an implementation of a system 1300 and liquid reservoir 1302 that can be used to implement the system 100 and liquid reservoir 102 of Figure 1. The liquid reservoir 1302 of Figure 14 is similar to the liquid reservoir 1302 of Figure 13. However, the liquid reservoir 1302 of Figure 14 does not include a compliant barrier 150, and the system 1300 of Figure 14 does not include an actuator rod 306. The liquid reservoir 1302 has a weakened portion 1304 and, in the implementation shown, has a cover 124 that covers the opening 132 of the storage chamber 130.

[0129] The plenum 144 is pressurized during operation, and the increased pressure causes the weakened portion 1304 to collapse, allowing the storage chamber 130 to become fluidly coupled to the plenum 144. The weakened portion 1304, in the illustrated implementation, includes a line of weakness 1306. The line of weakness 1306 may facilitate the weakened portion 1304 collapsing in response to increased pressure within the plenum 144. The plenum 144 may not be vented to the atmosphere after the weakened portion 1304 collapses.

[0130] Figure 15 shows a schematic diagram of an implementation of a system 1300 and liquid reservoir 1402 that can be used to implement the system 100 and liquid reservoir 102 of Figure 1. The liquid reservoir 1402 of Figure 15 is similar to the liquid reservoir 1302 of Figure 14. However, the liquid reservoir 1402 of Figure 15 does not include the foil 168 covering the opening 132, as an example. Instead, the liquid reservoir 1402 includes a plug 1404 that is disposed within and seals the opening 132 of the storage chamber 130.

[0131] The plenum 144 is pressurized during operation, and the increased pressure urges the plug 1404 to move within the opening 132 in the direction generally indicated by arrow 1405, allowing the storage chamber 130 to be fluidly coupled to the plenum 144. The body includes a step 1406 that is engaged by the plug 1404. The step 1406 extends into the opening 132 and is positioned to be engaged by the plug 1404. The engagement of the step 1406 with the plug 1404 prevents the plug 1404 from falling into the storage chamber 130, for example.

[0132] 19-19 show a flowchart of a method of using the liquid reservoirs 102, 302, 400, 1204, 1302, 1402 of Figures 1-14, the cartridge assembly 103 of Figures 1, 2, and 12, and the systems 100, 300, and 1300 of Figures 1, 2, 13, 14, and 15, or any of the other disclosed implementations. In some implementations, the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and / or some of the described blocks may be changed, deleted, combined, and / or subdivided into multiple blocks.

[0133] 16 begins with the fluid interface 158 of the cartridge assembly 103 being coupled with the fluid port 156 of the liquid reservoir 102, 302 (block 1502). The liquid reservoir 102, 302 has a body 122 that defines a storage chamber 130, a sipper chamber 134, and a fluid cavity 138 that fluidly couples the storage chamber 130 and the sipper chamber 134.

[0134] The compliant barrier 150 of the lid assembly 126 of the liquid reservoir 102, 302 is engaged (block 1504). The liquid reservoir 102, 302 includes a body 122 having a top surface 128 and a storage chamber 130 having an opening 132 in the top surface 128. The liquid reservoir 102, 302 also includes a cover 124 covering the opening 132 of the storage chamber 130 and a lid assembly 126 coupled to the top surface 128 and covering the opening 132 of the storage chamber 130. The top surface 128 and the lid assembly 126 define a plenum 144. The lid assembly 126 includes a cantilever 148 having a distal end 152 and a compliant barrier 150 covering the cantilever 148 and defining a portion 154 of the plenum 144.

[0135] The distal end 152 of the cantilever 148 is moved toward the cover 124 (block 1506), and the cover 124 is pierced by the distal end 152 of the cantilever 148, allowing the storage chamber 130 to be fluidly coupled to the plenum 144 (block 1508). The cover 124, which is pierced by the distal end 152 of the cantilever 148, does not vent the plenum 144 to the atmosphere in some implementations.

[0136] Liquid 165 is flowed from storage chamber 130 through sipper chamber 134 and fluid port 156 to fluid interface 158 (block 1510), and dried reagent 166 contained within well 160 of cartridge assembly 103 is rehydrated with liquid 165 (block 1512). Cartridge assembly 103 includes well 160, fluid interface 158, and channel 162 fluidly coupled between fluid interface 158 and well 160.

[0137] 17 begins with the compliant barrier 150 of the lid assembly 126 of the liquid reservoir 102, 1302 being engaged (block 1602). The liquid reservoir 102, 1204 includes a body 122 having a top surface 128 and a storage chamber 130 having an opening 132 in the top surface 128. The liquid reservoir 102, 1302 also includes a cover 124 that covers the opening 132 in the storage chamber 130 and a lid assembly 126 that is coupled to the top surface 128 and covers the opening 132 in the storage chamber 130. The top surface 128 and the lid assembly 126 define a plenum 144, and the lid assembly 126 includes a compliant barrier 150 that defines a portion 154 of the plenum 144.

[0138] The compliant barrier 150 is moved toward the cover 124 (block 1604), and the cover 124 is pierced, allowing the storage chamber 130 to be fluidly coupled to the plenum 144 (block 1606). The pierced cover 124 does not vent the plenum 144 to the atmosphere. In some implementations, the compliant barrier 150 includes a conformable foil 172. In other implementations, the compliant barrier 150 includes an elastomer 170.

[0139] 18 begins with pressurizing the plenum 144 of the liquid reservoir 102, 1302 (block 1702). The liquid reservoir 102, 1302 includes a body 122 having a top surface 128, and a storage chamber 130 having an opening 132 in the top surface 128. The liquid reservoir 102, 1302 also includes a cover 124 having a weakened portion 1304 and covering the opening 132 in the storage chamber 130, and a lid assembly 126 coupled to the top surface 128. The lid assembly 126 covers the opening 132 in the storage chamber 130. The top surface 128 and the lid assembly 126 define the plenum 144. The weakened portion 1304 breaks in response to pressurizing the plenum 144, allowing the storage chamber 130 to be fluidly coupled to the plenum 144 (block 1704). The broken weakened portion 1304, in some implementations, does not vent the plenum 144 to the atmosphere.

[0140] 19 begins with the plenum 144 of the liquid reservoir 102, 1402 being pressurized (block 1802). The liquid reservoir 102, 1402 has a body 122 including a top surface 128, and a storage chamber 130 having an opening 132 in the top surface 128. The liquid reservoir 102, 1402 also includes a lid assembly 126 coupled to the top surface 128 and covering the opening 132 in the storage chamber 130, and a plug 1404 disposed within the opening 132 in the storage chamber 130 and sealing the opening 132. The top surface 128 and the lid assembly 126 define the plenum 144.

[0141] The plug 1404 is biased to move within the opening 132 in response to pressurization of the plenum 144, allowing the storage chamber 130 to be fluidly coupled to the plenum 144 (block 1804). The plug 1404 engages a step 1406 in the body 122 (block 1806). The engagement between the plug 1404 and the step 1406 can, for example, prevent the plug 1404 from entering the storage chamber 130.

[0142] The foregoing description is provided to enable one skilled in the art to practice the various configurations described herein. While the subject technology has been particularly described with reference to various diagrams and configurations, it should be understood that these are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the subject technology.

[0143] Although the cartridges and reservoirs are described herein with reference to reagent cartridges and reagent reservoirs, these cartridges or reservoirs may also be used to contain other liquids, including, but not limited to, buffers, samples, and wash solutions, either separately or in combination with the reagents or other liquids. For example, a cartridge may have a first chamber that contains a reagent, a second chamber that contains a buffer, and a third chamber that contains a wash solution. Additionally, the cartridges and reservoirs described herein may include one or more additional chambers that may be used, for example, as a waste chamber on a cartridge that may or may not include a corresponding sipper chamber.

[0144] As used herein, elements or steps described in the singular and followed by the words "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding a plurality of those elements or steps, unless such exclusion is expressly stated. Furthermore, references to "one implementation" are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional implementations that also incorporate the recited features. Furthermore, unless expressly stated to the contrary, implementations that "comprising," "including," or "having" an element or elements having a particular characteristic may include additional elements whether or not they have that characteristic. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," "having," etc. are used interchangeably herein.

[0145] As used throughout this specification, the terms "substantially," "approximately," and "about" are used to describe and take into account small variations due to processing variations, etc. For example, small variations can refer to ±5% or less, such as ±2% or less, such as ±1% or less, such as ±0.5% or less, such as ±0.2% or less, such as ±0.1% or less, such as ±0.05% or less.

[0146] The terms “connect,” “connected,” “contact,” “coupled,” and the like are broadly defined herein to encompass a variety of different arrangements and assembly techniques, including, but not limited to, (1) directly joining one component to another without any intervening components therebetween (i.e., the components are in direct physical contact), and (2) connecting one component to another with one or more components therebetween, provided that a component that is “connected” or “in contact” or “coupled” to another component is in some operative communication (e.g., electrical, fluid, physical, optical, etc.) with the other component (notwithstanding the presence of one or more additional components therebetween). It should be understood that some components that are in direct physical contact with each other may or may not be in electrical and / or fluid contact with each other. Furthermore, two components that are electrically connected, electrically coupled, optically connected, optically coupled, fluidly connected, or fluidly coupled may or may not be in direct physical contact, and one or more other components may be disposed between them.

[0147] There may be many other ways to implement the subject technology. The various functions and elements described herein may be divided differently than shown without departing from the scope of the subject technology. Various modifications to these implementations may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations. Accordingly, many changes and modifications may be made to the subject technology by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the subject technology. For example, a different number of given modules or units may be used, different types or multiple types of given modules or units may be used, given modules or units may be added, or given modules or units may be omitted.

[0148] Underlined and / or italicized headings and subheadings are used for convenience only, do not limit the subject technology, and are not referred to in connection with interpreting the description of the subject technology. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various implementations described throughout this disclosure that are known or later become known to those skilled in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the subject technology. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be publicly exclusive, regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly set forth in the description above.

[0149] It is understood that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts described in more detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are considered to be part of the subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are considered to be part of the subject matter disclosed herein.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus comprising:

1. A system comprising: a pneumatic interface; An actuator; a system comprising: a liquid reservoir receivable within the receptacle, the liquid reservoir comprising: a body having a top surface, a storage chamber having an opening in the top surface, a sipper chamber having an opening in the top surface, and a fluid cavity fluidly coupling the storage chamber and the sipper chamber; a cover covering the opening of the storage chamber; a lid assembly coupled to the top surface and having a first portion covering the opening of the storage chamber and a second portion covering the opening of the sipper chamber, the top surface and the first portion defining a plenum; The first portion is a pneumatic port fluidly coupled to the plenum; a cantilever having a distal end; a compliant barrier covering the cantilever and defining a portion of the plenum; the second portion comprising a liquid reservoir having a fluid port fluidly coupled to the opening of the sipper chamber; 1. A cartridge assembly comprising: a fluid interface coupleable to the fluid port; Well, a channel fluidly coupled between the fluid interface and the well; the actuator is movable to engage the compliant barrier and move the distal end of the cantilever to penetrate the cover and allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein engagement between the actuator and the compliant barrier does not vent the plenum to atmosphere.

3. The device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a liquid contained within the storage chamber.

4. The device of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a dry reagent contained within the well.

5. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cartridge assembly comprises a flow cell.

6. The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cover comprises a foil.

7. The device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the compliant barrier comprises an elastomer.

8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the compliant barrier comprises a conformable foil.

9. The device of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the body of the liquid reservoir has a distal end and comprises a port defining the opening, and the cover is coupled to the distal end of the port.

10. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the lid assembly comprises a body comprising the cantilever, and the compliant barrier is coupled to the body covering the cantilever.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the body comprises a living hinge coupled to the cantilever.

12. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the distal end of the cantilever comprises a protrusion.

13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the protrusion comprises an angled cone.

14. 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pneumatic interface comprises a bore, a fitting movably disposed within the bore, and a biasing element, the biasing element biasing the fitting into sealing engagement with the pneumatic port of the lid assembly.

15. 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the fluid interface of the reagent cartridge comprises a hollow protrusion positionable within the fluid port of the lid assembly to fluidly couple the liquid reservoir and the cartridge assembly.

16. 16. The device of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein a side of the body defines an outwardly facing groove, and further comprising a cover secured to the side of the body, the groove and the cover defining the sipper chamber.

17. 1. An apparatus comprising: a body having a top surface, a storage chamber having an opening in the top surface, a sipper chamber having an opening in the top surface, and a fluid cavity fluidly coupling the storage chamber and the sipper chamber; a cover covering the opening of the storage chamber; a lid assembly coupled to the top surface and having a first portion covering the opening of the storage chamber and a second portion covering the opening of the sipper chamber, the top surface and the first portion defining a plenum; The first portion is a pneumatic port fluidly coupled to the plenum; a cantilever having a distal end; a compliant barrier covering the cantilever and defining a portion of the plenum; the second portion includes a fluid port fluidly coupled to the opening of the sipper chamber; The apparatus, wherein the compliant barrier and the cantilever are movable to allow the distal end of the cantilever to penetrate the cover and allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum.

18. 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the body comprises a second storage chamber having an opening in the top surface, a second sipper chamber having an opening in the top surface, and a second fluid cavity fluidly coupling the second storage chamber and the second sipper chamber.

19. 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the first portion of the lid assembly covers the opening of the second storage chamber, the second portion of the lid assembly covers the opening of the second sipper chamber, the first portion comprising: a second cantilever having a distal end; and a second compliant barrier covering the second cantilever and defining a portion of the plenum, the second portion comprising a second fluid port fluidly coupled to the opening of the second sipper chamber.

20. 20. The apparatus of claim 18 or 19, wherein the body and lid assembly comprises a manifold that comprises the plenum, the opening to the storage chamber, and the opening to the second storage chamber.

21. The apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the lid assembly includes a pair of locating pins and the body includes a pair of corresponding locating holes.

22. 22. The device of any one of claims 17 to 21, further comprising a housing in which the body is disposed, the housing having an end defining an opening, the lid assembly being disposed within the housing and accessible through the opening.

23. 23. The device of claim 22, further comprising a housing cover coupled to the housing to retain the body and the lid assembly within the housing.

24. 24. The device of claim 23, further comprising a snap fit connection formed between the housing cover and the housing.

25. 25. The apparatus of claim 23 or 24, wherein the housing cover defines an aperture that allows access to the compliant barrier when the housing cover is coupled to the housing.

26. 26. The apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 25, wherein the lid assembly comprises a body defining an opening, the compliant barrier being coupled to the body and covering the opening.

27. 27. The device of claim 26, wherein the compliant barrier comprises an outer wall, a central portion, and a groove at least partially surrounding the central portion, the outer wall coupled to the body surrounding the aperture.

28. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the compliant barrier comprises a U-shaped portion joining the outer wall and the central portion, the U-shaped portion, the outer wall, and the central portion defining the groove.

29. 29. Apparatus according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein the central portion comprises outwardly tapering U-shaped walls defining the groove.

30. 30. The device of any one of claims 26 to 29, wherein the central portion comprises a lower surface, and the compliant barrier has a portion defining the groove that is vertically spaced from the lower surface and located closer to the cover over the opening to the storage chamber.

31. 27. The device of claim 26, wherein the compliant barrier comprises an outer portion and a central portion vertically spaced from the outer portion, the outer portion coupled to the body surrounding the opening.

32. 32. The apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 31, wherein the lid assembly comprises a body comprising the cantilever, and the compliant barrier is coupled to the body covering the cantilever.

33. 33. The device of claim 32, wherein the cantilever comprises the distal end, a neck portion, and a proximal end, and the body comprises an integral hinge coupled to the proximal end of the cantilever.

34. 34. The device of claim 33, wherein the distal end includes an oval portion.

35. 35. The apparatus of claim 33 or 34, wherein the cantilever has a tapered surface extending between the neck portion and the living hinge.

36. 36. The device of any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein the distal end has a first thickness and the proximal end has a second thickness that is less than the first thickness.

37. The apparatus of any one of claims 17 to 36, wherein the distal end of the cantilever comprises a protrusion.

38. 38. The device of claim 37, wherein the protrusion defines a notch that defines a vent.

39. 38. The device of claim 37, wherein the protrusion comprises a polyhedron.

40. 40. The method of any one of claims 37 and 39, wherein the protrusion comprises an edge and a tip.

41. 1. An apparatus comprising: a body having a top surface, a storage chamber having an opening in the top surface, a sipper chamber having an opening in the top surface, and a fluid cavity fluidly coupling the storage chamber and the sipper chamber; a cover covering the opening of the storage chamber; a lid assembly coupled to the top surface and having a first portion covering the opening of the storage chamber and a second portion covering the opening of the sipper chamber, the top surface and the first portion defining a plenum; The first portion is a pneumatic port fluidly coupled to the plenum; a compliant barrier covering the cover and defining a portion of the plenum; the second portion includes a fluid port fluidly coupled to the opening of the sipper chamber; The apparatus, wherein the compliant barrier is movable to allow the cover to be penetrated and the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum.

42. 42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the compliant barrier, being perforated, does not vent the plenum to the atmosphere.

43. 43. The apparatus of claim 41 or 42, wherein the compliant barrier comprises a conformable foil.

44. 1. An apparatus comprising: a body having a top surface, a storage chamber having an opening in the top surface, a sipper chamber having an opening in the top surface, and a fluid cavity fluidly coupling the storage chamber and the sipper chamber; a cover having a weakened portion and covering the opening of the storage chamber; a lid assembly coupled to the top surface and having a first portion covering the opening of the storage chamber and a second portion covering the opening of the sipper chamber, the top surface and the first portion defining a plenum; the first portion includes a pneumatic port fluidly coupled to the plenum; the second portion includes a fluid port fluidly coupled to the opening of the sipper chamber; the plenum is pressurized to break the weakened portion and allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum.

45. 45. The device of claim 44, wherein the weakened portion comprises a line of weakness.

46. 46. ​​The apparatus of claim 44 or 45, wherein breaking of the weakened portion does not vent the plenum to atmosphere.

47. 1. An apparatus comprising: a body having a top surface, a storage chamber having an opening in the top surface, a sipper chamber having an opening in the top surface, and a fluid cavity fluidly coupling the storage chamber and the sipper chamber; a plug disposed within the opening of the storage chamber to seal the opening; a lid assembly coupled to the top surface and having a first portion covering the opening of the storage chamber and a second portion covering the opening of the sipper chamber, the top surface and the first portion defining a plenum; the first portion includes a pneumatic port fluidly coupled to the plenum; the second portion includes a fluid port fluidly coupled to the opening of the sipper chamber; the plenum is pressurized to urge the plug to move within the opening and allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum.

48. 48. The device of claim 47, wherein the body includes a step that is engaged by the plug.

49. 1. A method comprising: engaging a compliant barrier of a lid assembly of a liquid reservoir, the liquid reservoir comprising: a body having a top surface; a storage chamber having an opening on the top surface; a cover covering the opening of the storage chamber; and the lid assembly coupled to the top surface and covering the opening of the storage chamber, the top surface and the lid assembly defining a plenum, the lid assembly comprising: a cantilever having a distal end; and the compliant barrier covering the cantilever and defining a portion of the plenum; moving the distal end of the cantilever toward the cover; piercing the cover at the distal end of the cantilever to allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum; A method comprising:

50. 50. The method of claim 49, wherein piercing the cover at the distal end of the cantilever does not vent the plenum to atmosphere.

51. coupling a fluid interface of a cartridge assembly to a fluid port of the liquid reservoir, the liquid reservoir having a body defining the storage chamber, a sipper chamber, and a fluid cavity fluidly coupling the storage chamber and the sipper chamber; flowing liquid from the storage chamber through the sipper chamber and the fluid port to the fluid interface; 51. The method of claim 49 or 50, further comprising:

52. 52. The method of claim 51, further comprising rehydrating a dried reagent contained in a well of the cartridge assembly with the liquid, the cartridge assembly comprising the well, the fluid interface, and a channel fluidly coupled between the fluid interface and the well.

53. 1. A method comprising: engaging a compliant barrier of a lid assembly of a liquid reservoir, the liquid reservoir comprising a body having a top surface, a storage chamber having an opening on the top surface, a cover covering the opening of the storage chamber, and the lid assembly coupled to the top surface and covering the opening of the storage chamber, the top surface and the lid assembly defining a plenum, the lid assembly comprising the compliant barrier defining a portion of the plenum; moving the compliant barrier toward the cover; penetrating the cover to allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum; A method comprising:

54. 54. The method of claim 53, wherein piercing the cover does not vent the plenum to atmosphere.

55. 55. The method of claim 53 or 54, wherein the compliant barrier comprises a conformable foil.

56. 1. A method comprising: pressurizing a plenum of a liquid reservoir, the liquid reservoir comprising: a body having a top surface; a storage chamber having an opening in the top surface; a cover having a weakened portion covering the opening of the storage chamber; and a lid assembly coupled to the top surface and covering the opening of the storage chamber; breaking the weakened portion in response to pressurizing the plenum to allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum; A method comprising:

57. 57. The method of claim 56, wherein breaking the weakened portion does not vent the plenum to atmosphere.

58. 1. A method comprising: pressurizing a plenum of a liquid reservoir, the liquid reservoir comprising: a body having a top surface; a storage chamber having an opening on the top surface; a lid assembly coupled to the top surface and covering the opening of the storage chamber; and a plug disposed within the opening of the storage chamber and sealing the opening of the storage chamber, the top surface and the lid assembly defining the plenum; biasing the plug to move within the opening in response to pressurizing the plenum to allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum; A method comprising:

59. 59. The method of claim 58, further comprising engaging the plug with a step in the body.

60. 1. An apparatus comprising: a body having a top surface and a storage chamber having an opening in the top surface; a cover disposed over or within the opening of the storage chamber; a lid assembly coupled to the top surface and covering the opening of the storage chamber, the top surface and the first portion defining a plenum; The apparatus, wherein the cover is at least one of penetrable, destructible, or movable to allow the storage chamber to be fluidly coupled to the plenum without venting the plenum to the atmosphere.

61. 61. The device of claim 60, wherein the cover comprises a plug.

62. 61. The device of claim 60, wherein the cover comprises a foil.

63. 61. The device of claim 60, wherein the cover comprises a weakened portion.

64. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lid assembly comprises a body comprising the cantilever, and the compliant barrier is coupled to the body covering the cantilever.

65. 65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the body comprises a living hinge coupled to the cantilever.

66. The device of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the cantilever comprises a protrusion.

67. 67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the protrusion comprises an angled cone.

68. 67. The device of claim 66, wherein the protrusion comprises a polyhedron.

69. 67. The device of claim 66, wherein the protrusion comprises a lip and a tip.

70. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pneumatic interface comprises a bore, a fitting movably disposed within the bore, and a biasing element, the biasing element biasing the fitting into sealing engagement with the pneumatic port of the lid assembly.

71. The device of claim 1 , wherein a side of the body defines an outwardly facing groove, and further comprising a cover secured to the side of the body, the groove and the cover defining the sipper chamber.

72. 18. The device of claim 17, wherein a side of the body defines an outwardly facing groove, and further comprising a cover secured to the side of the body, the groove and the cover defining the sipper chamber.

73. 42. The device of claim 41, wherein a side of the body defines an outwardly facing groove, and further comprising a cover secured to the side of the body, the groove and the cover defining the sipper chamber.

74. 45. The device of claim 44, wherein a side of the body defines an outwardly facing groove, and further comprising a cover secured to the side of the body, the groove and the cover defining the sipper chamber.

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