Analyzer Microsyringe Reagent Delivery Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing solution sending systems for next-generation DNA sequencers face issues such as prolonged reagent delivery time, contamination, inaccurate dispensing, maintenance requirements, and waste of expensive reagents due to long tubes and complex valve systems, which hinder throughput and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An analyzer with a reagent rack, flow cell, sampling nozzle, cleaning tank, and a controlled solution sending system that uses a microsyringe and electromagnetic valves to precisely manage reagent delivery, cleaning, and injection into a flow cell, minimizing reagent usage and optimizing nozzle positioning for accurate and efficient reagent handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a tube and valve system is used to supply reagent, then the system can switch between different reagents, but the delivery time becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the reagent supply system into separate independent channels for each reagent type. Instead of using a single tube with switching valves, multiple dedicated tubes are provided, each connected to its own reagent container. This eliminates the need for valve switching and reduces delivery time while maintaining the ability to supply different reagents.
Solution Approach 2:
The reagents are prepared and stored in separate containers before the analysis process begins. Each reagent is pre-loaded into its dedicated container, and the system is configured to access the required reagent directly without needing to switch or transfer between containers during operation.
2Length of stationary object
If a long tube is used to supply reagent, then the system can reach the flow cell, but reagent contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the long common tube by providing separate short tubes for each reagent type. Each tube is dedicated to a specific reagent container and flows directly to the flow cell, minimizing the tube length and eliminating cross-contamination risks associated with long shared passages.
Solution Approach 2:
Each reagent channel is designed with its own dedicated tube and container, creating localized, isolated pathways for each reagent. This ensures that each reagent flows through a clean, dedicated path without exposure to other reagents, preventing contamination while maintaining adequate flow characteristics.
3Length of stationary object
If a long tube is used to supply reagent, then the system can connect components, but the cleaning liquid amount increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cleaning requirement into separate, manageable sections corresponding to each short dedicated tube. Since each tube is much shorter than a single long tube would be, the volume of cleaning liquid required to flush each tube is significantly reduced, lowering overall cleaning liquid consumption.
4Length of stationary object
If reagents are sent through a long tube, then the system can deliver reagent, but reagent mixing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides separate dedicated tubes for each reagent type, eliminating the scenario where multiple reagents share a common passage. Each reagent flows through its own isolated tube directly to the flow cell, preventing any mixing or diffusion between different reagents while maintaining efficient delivery.
5Quantity of substance
If extra reagent is sent to compensate for mixing, then the flow cell receives sufficient reagent, but dispensing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates reagent mixing by providing separate dedicated tubes for each reagent type. This ensures that the exact required amount of each reagent can be dispensed with high precision into the flow cell without needing to compensate for mixing losses, thereby maintaining both sufficient reagent quantity and high dispensing accuracy.
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 solution significantly reduces reagent usage, shortens delivery time, and enhances analysis throughput by ensuring precise and contamination-free reagent injection, thereby improving the efficiency and accuracy of DNA sequencing processes.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid level detection unit that detects the sampling nozzle coming into contact with a liquid level
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an analyzer capable of reducing the amount of wasted reagents and shortening time required for solution sending, thus increasing throughput for analysis. A microsyringe sucks a minimum required amount of reagent that is substantially the same amount of capacity of a flow cell to a sampling nozzle. Then, the sampling nozzle is inserted into an injection port of the flow cell, and the reagent is injected into the flow cell by driving the microsyringe. The inside of the sampling nozzle is cleaned by moving the sampling nozzle to the cleaning tank and ejecting cleaning water from the sampling nozzle, and the outside of the sampling nozzle is cleaned by spraying cleaning water from an inner wall of the cleaning tank.