Bidirectional Flow Paths in Microfluidic Flow Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Next-generation sequencing technologies require a robust and efficient fluidic architecture to perform precise fluidic manipulations and prevent cross-contamination between sequencing and amplification reactions, which is challenging due to the complexity of fluidic exchanges in nucleic acid sequencing instruments.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic device with a flow cell system that allows for two or more independent reactions to occur on the same flow cell with minimal cross-contamination, utilizing bidirectional flow to reduce the overall path length and conserve reagent volume, enabling simultaneous sequencing and amplification reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single flow cell is used for multiple reactions, then reagent volume is reduced and efficiency is improved, but cross-contamination between reactions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow cell is divided into multiple independent flow paths, each capable of carrying out separate reactions. The flow cell includes a first flow path for sequencing reactions and a second flow path for amplification reactions, with each path having its own inlet and outlet connections. This segmentation allows multiple reactions to occur simultaneously in the same physical flow cell while maintaining fluidic isolation to prevent cross-contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow cell is designed to serve multiple functions by accommodating different reaction types within the same chamber. A single flow cell can perform both sequencing and amplification reactions by utilizing different flow paths, eliminating the need for separate flow cells for each reaction type and thereby reducing reagent volume consumption.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If separate flow cells are used for sequencing and amplification reactions, then cross-contamination is prevented, but device complexity and reagent volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flow paths for different reactions are merged into a single flow cell structure. The flow cell includes both a first flow path for sequencing and a second flow path for amplification, with shared inlet and outlet regions. This merging reduces the number of separate flow cells needed while maintaining reaction independence through fluidic isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from using multiple separate flow cells (spatial separation in one dimension) to using multiple flow paths within a single flow cell (spatial separation in multiple dimensions). This dimensional approach allows independent reactions to coexist in the same physical chamber by utilizing different fluidic channels and pathways.
3Productivity
If long path length is used in flow cell, then reaction efficiency is improved, but reagent volume consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path configuration allows dynamic control of fluid flow directions and paths. By enabling bidirectional flow and selective activation of different flow paths, the system can optimize reaction efficiency without requiring long fixed path lengths, thereby reducing reagent volume consumption while maintaining productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein, inter alia, are nucleic acid sequencing devices and flow cells containing different flow paths to control the flow of fluidic solutions.