Backside-Illuminated Parallel Charge Transfer for Compact Sequencing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing instruments for massively-parallel sample analysis are limited to laboratory settings due to their large size, lack of portability, need for skilled operation, controlled environment, and high cost, resulting in long wait times for analysis results.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit with a photodetection region and multiple charge storage regions, utilizing charge transfer paths that bypass each other and controlled by transfer gates in multiple directions, induced electric fields, and a backside-illuminated configuration to facilitate rapid and uniform charge carrier collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional photodetector arrays are used for massively-parallel sample analysis, then detection capability is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple charge storage regions and multiple charge transfer paths within a single integrated circuit device. The photodetection region is integrated with multiple charge storage regions (first charge storage region, second charge storage region) that can simultaneously collect charge carriers generated from different spatial zones. This merging of detection and storage functions within one device maintains high detection capability while reducing overall device complexity and size compared to traditional separate detector arrays.
Solution Approach 2:
The photodetection region is divided into multiple spatial zones (first spatial zone, second spatial zone) that can be independently coupled to different charge storage regions through separate charge transfer paths. This segmentation allows parallel charge collection from different regions, improving detection capability across multiple sample locations while keeping each individual detection element compact, thus reducing overall device size.
2Productivity
If multiple charge storage regions are used to collect charge carriers from different spatial zones, then detection efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple charge transfer paths are designed with identical functional capabilities - each path can independently transfer charge carriers from the photodetection region to its associated charge storage region. This multi-functionality allows the device to simultaneously perform parallel charge collection from multiple spatial zones, improving detection efficiency. The universal design of transfer paths (using similar transistor structures and control mechanisms) avoids exponential complexity growth despite having multiple paths.
3Loss of time
If charge carriers are transferred to multiple charge storage regions simultaneously, then analysis speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous parallel charge carrier transfer to multiple charge storage regions simultaneously through dedicated charge transfer paths. Each transfer path operates continuously and independently, allowing charge carriers from different spatial zones to be collected at the same time without sequential processing delays. This continuous parallel action significantly improves analysis speed by eliminating the time loss associated with sequential charge collection that would occur in single-path designs.
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
Enables compact, portable, and easy-to-operate instruments for point-of-care genetic sequencing, allowing simultaneous analysis of tens of thousands of samples with improved detection efficiency and reduced measurement time.
Implementation Method 1
a photodetection region configured to receive, in a first direction, at a first face of the photodetection region, incident photons and generate, in response to receiving the incident photons, charge carriers
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, an integrated circuit includes multiple charge storage regions configured to receive charge carriers from a photodetection region in response to a single excitation of a sample. In some embodiments, an integrated circuit includes first and second charge transfer paths configured to electrically couple a photodetection region to first and second charge storage regions, with the second charge transfer path bypassing the first charge storage region. In some embodiments, an integrated circuit includes a photodetection region configured to induce an intrinsic electric field having a vector component in at least three substantially perpendicular directions. In some embodiments, an integrated circuit includes multiple transfer gates configured to control charge carrier transfer out of a photodetection region in different directions. In some embodiments, an integrated circuit includes a photodetection region and multiple transfer gates configured to control charge carrier transfer from the photodetection region to one or more drain regions.