Adaptive Flow Cell Filling with Negative Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for loading samples into analytical instruments face inefficiencies when dealing with samples of varying viscosities, leading to slow throughput rates and inadequate cleaning processes, as they often require configuration for worst-case viscosity conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a sample introduction device, a flow cell, a sensor to detect sample arrival, a valve for fluidic coupling with a pressure device, and a processor to switch between passive and active filling modes based on sample viscosity, using negative pressure to accelerate sample flow and turbulent cleaning fluid to efficiently fill and clean the flow cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional systems use fixed configuration for worst-case viscosity conditions, then reliability is maintained, but productivity decreases due to slow throughput rates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between passive filling mode (for low viscosity samples) and active filling mode with negative pressure (for high viscosity samples) based on real-time detection of sample properties. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize filling speed for each sample type, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliability across all viscosity conditions and maximizing throughput for specific conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter in the flow cell from atmospheric pressure (passive filling) to negative pressure (active filling) based on sample viscosity. This parameter change enables the system to maintain reliable operation across varying viscosities while significantly improving throughput rates for high viscosity samples that would otherwise bottleneck the system.
2Productivity
If systems apply negative pressure to accelerate sample flow, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases due to additional pressure control components
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure control system is segmented into two distinct operational modes: passive filling mode using only atmospheric pressure and simple valve control, and active filling mode using negative pressure generated by a pump. This segmentation allows the complex negative pressure mechanism to be deployed only when necessary for high viscosity samples, while keeping the overall system relatively simple for routine low viscosity sample analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a sensor to automatically detect sample properties and trigger the appropriate filling mode without manual intervention. The processor monitors sample arrival time and viscosity characteristics, then autonomously decides whether to activate negative pressure or use passive filling, reducing the need for complex manual control interfaces and simplifying operation.
3Reliability
If systems use extended cleaning processes to handle varying viscosities, then reliability is maintained, but loss of time increases due to prolonged cleaning durations
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning process uses changes in pressure parameters, switching between positive pressure for initial rinsing and negative pressure for turbulent flushing. This pressure variation creates effective cleaning action that handles varying viscosities reliably while completing the cleaning process faster than conventional single-pressure methods, as the negative pressure phase creates turbulent flow that removes viscous residues more efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning process employs periodic alternation between positive and negative pressure phases, with the sensor monitoring to determine when cleaning is complete. This periodic pressure variation creates alternating flow patterns that effectively remove samples of varying viscosities while reducing total cleaning time compared to continuous single-direction flushing.
4Adaptability or versatility
If systems detect sample arrival time to determine filling mode, then adaptability improves, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a sensor to detect sample arrival at the flow cell and feeds this information back to the processor, which then determines the appropriate filling mode based on the detected arrival time and sample characteristics. This feedback mechanism enables adaptive filling mode selection while using practical measurement thresholds that balance adaptability with achievable measurement precision, avoiding the need for excessively precise timing measurements.
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 allows for rapid and efficient filling of flow cells with samples of varying viscosities, minimizing cleaning times and solvent volumes, and enabling adaptive filling mechanisms to optimize throughput rates.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure device configured to provide a negative pressure when the valve is in the second state to accelerate flow of sample into the flow cell
Implementation Method 2
a sensor coupled to the fluid inlet of the flow cell and configured to determine the time of arrival of sample at the fluid inlet of the flow cell
Implementation Method 3
a valve fluidically coupled to the flow cell, and a pressure device fluidically coupled to the flow cell when the valve is in a second state and fluidically decoupled from the flow cell when the valve is in a first state
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices and system that can be used to fill a sample cell. In some examples, the system can be configured with a pressure device configured to provide a negative pressure to accelerate filling of the cell with the sample. In some embodiments, the negative pressure can be used to fill a flow cell at a selected fill rate.