Biochemical Array Chip Moiré Alignment Track Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biochemical array chips face challenges in achieving high density of experiments while ensuring rapid data extraction and real-time alignment with imaging instruments, as they struggle to balance spatial resolution, accuracy, and speed in fluorescence imaging.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates track regions with different pitches and densities compared to the field regions, allowing for Moiré averaging-based alignment, which enables rapid and accurate alignment of imaging instruments with the chip during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high magnification is used to resolve individual experiments, then spatial resolution is improved, but the field of view decreases and imaging speed slows down
Solution Approach 1:
The chip is divided into field regions containing experiment sites and separate track regions containing alignment sites. This segmentation allows the imaging system to use different magnifications for different regions: high magnification for field regions to resolve individual experiments, and low magnification for track regions to maintain large field of view and enable rapid alignment detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension separation by placing alignment sites in dedicated track regions at different locations than experiment sites. This allows the system to switch between imaging modes (alignment mode using track regions at low magnification, data acquisition mode using field regions at high magnification) without compromising either field of view or spatial resolution.
2Productivity
If high density of experiments is increased, then productivity is improved, but alignment accuracy and imaging resolution deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the chip have different densities and functions: field regions are designed with high density experiment sites for maximum productivity, while track regions are designed with lower density alignment sites optimized for precise alignment detection. This local differentiation allows high overall experiment density while maintaining dedicated zones for accurate alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
Track regions with alignment sites serve as intermediary elements between the imaging system and the high-density experiment sites. These alignment sites provide reference markers that are optimally spaced for detection, enabling accurate alignment without requiring the entire chip to have low density. The intermediary track regions decouple the density requirements of data storage vs. alignment precision.
3Speed
If track regions with different pitch are used for alignment, then alignment speed is improved, but chip area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing alignment features across the entire chip area, the patent implements alignment functionality in partial regions only (specific track regions). These track regions contain the necessary alignment sites with different pitch for rapid Moiré alignment, while the majority of the chip area is dedicated to high-density experiment sites, maximizing overall area utilization.
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 high-density biochemical experiments with improved throughput and accuracy in data acquisition, enabling precise alignment and efficient imaging of large-scale biochemical arrays, such as genome sequencing systems.
Implementation Method 1
track regions with different pitches and densities compared to the field regions, allowing for Moiré averaging-based alignment
Implementation Method 2
a fluorescence microscope or other suitable optical system may be used to take images of the biochemical experiments disposed and/or conducted on an array chip. The colors observed indicate the DNA bases at that particular experiment step.
Data Source
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AI summary
An array chip useful for biochemical assays is provided wherein the chip includes a field region arranged with attachment sites according to a first pitch and at least one track region having a one-dimensional spot pattern arranged according to a second pitch that is less dense and is a non-integer multiple of the first pitch so that one-dimensional Moiré averaging may be applied in the track region, thereby to attain alignment of the chip to the optical instrumentation with a higher density of attachment sites.