Adhesive-Backed Flow Cell Gaskets for Low-Force Fluidic Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sequencing platforms face challenges in establishing a reliable fluidic connection between flow cells and systems, often requiring high sealing forces that can lead to alignment issues and increased complexity, warpage, and reduced optical performance.
Innovation Solution
The use of adhesive-backed gaskets with a separating layer, such as acrylic and silicone adhesives with a polyethylene terephthalate layer, allows for a secure fluidic connection with reduced sealing forces, enabling precise alignment and reduced manufacturing tolerances, and simplifies the flow cell design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sealing methods are used to establish fluidic connection, then reliable sealing is achieved, but high sealing forces cause alignment issues and increased complexity
Solution Approach 1:
A gasket assembly with adhesive stack serves as an intermediary component between the flow cell and the system interface. The adhesive stack includes multiple layers (first adhesive, separating layer, second adhesive) that mediate the bonding process, distributing sealing forces evenly and eliminating the need for high clamping forces that cause warpage and alignment issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket assembly uses composite material structure combining different adhesive types (acrylic and silicone adhesives) with a separating layer (polyethylene terephthalate). This composite approach allows each layer to perform its specific function: the acrylic adhesive provides initial bonding, the separating layer prevents adhesive transfer, and the silicone adhesive provides flexible sealing, collectively achieving reliable sealing with low force.
2Reliability
If high sealing forces are applied to ensure fluidic connection, then sealing reliability is improved, but warpage and optical performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of sealing force from high to low by using adhesive bonding instead of mechanical compression. The adhesive stack is designed to provide sufficient bonding strength at low force levels, transforming the sealing mechanism from force-dependent to chemistry-dependent, thereby eliminating warpage and maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is segmented into multiple discrete adhesive layers within the adhesive stack. This segmentation allows each layer to contribute differently to the overall sealing performance: the first adhesive bonds to the flow cell, the separating layer provides a buffer, and the second adhesive bonds to the gasket. This distributed approach reduces stress concentration and prevents warpage.
3Force
If adhesive stack with separating layer is used, then sealing force is reduced by 30%, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the gasket and adhesive stack into a single integrated gasket assembly unit. The adhesive stack is pre-bonded to the gasket, creating a unified component that is applied as one piece to the flow cell. This merging simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating separate bonding steps and reducing assembly complexity, despite the multi-layer adhesive structure.
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 reduces sealing forces by approximately 30% compared to traditional methods, minimizing warpage and complexity, while ensuring reliable fluidic connections and improved optical performance.
Implementation Method 1
The adhesive stack includes a first adhesive, a separating layer, and a second adhesive. The first adhesive bonds the separating layer to the flow cell, and the second adhesive bonds the gasket to the separating layer.
Data Source
AI summary
Gasket assemblies and related system and methods. An apparatus includes a system, a flow cell, and a plurality of gasket assemblies. The system includes a flow cell interface and the flow cell has one or more channels. Each channel has a first channel opening and a second channel opening. The first channel openings are positioned at a first end of the flow cell and the second channel openings are positioned at a second end of the flow cell. A gasket assembly coupled at each second channel opening. Each gasket assembly includes an adhesive stack and a gasket. The adhesive stack includes a first side bonded to the gasket and a second side bonded to the flow cell. The flow cell interface is engagable with the corresponding gaskets to establish a fluidic coupling between system and the flow cell.