Pressure Cycling Degasser for pH Sensor Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sensor systems measuring ionic concentration or pH, particularly in molecular biology applications like PCR and genetic sequencing, face noise and measurement errors due to small amounts of dissolved carbon dioxide, which affect the accuracy of nucleotide incorporation detection.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus involving a sensor system with multiple containers of different nucleotide solutions, a degasser to separate dissolved gases, and a flow chamber with sensors sensitive to nucleotide incorporation byproducts, where the system cycles through depressurization and re-pressurization with an inert gas during idle mode to mitigate gas influence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the sensor system operates continuously without pressure cycling, then the system maintains operational readiness, but dissolved gas accumulates in the nucleotide solutions causing measurement noise and errors

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovepH measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem idle time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic pressure cycling during idle mode, where the system alternates between pressurizing containers with inert gas and allowing depressurization. This periodic action removes dissolved gases from nucleotide solutions without requiring continuous operation, thereby improving pH measurement accuracy while accepting controlled idle periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If the system enters idle mode frequently for degassing, then measurement accuracy improves, but system productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidsequencing throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs degassing operations during idle periods before sequencing runs begin. By removing dissolved gases in advance (preliminary action), the system ensures high measurement accuracy during actual sequencing operations without interrupting productivity during active runs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If pressure cycling is performed during active mode, then dissolved gas is removed continuously, but the system loses operational stability

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovepH measurement stabilityVSAvoidsolution composition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by removing dissolved gases before they can interfere with measurements. Pressure cycling is performed during idle mode to preemptively eliminate the harmful effect of gas dissolution, rather than attempting to correct measurement errors after they occur during active sequencing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Measurement precision

If inert gas pressurization is applied continuously, then dissolved gas is eliminated from solutions, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement error reductionVSAvoidgas pressurization energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic inert gas pressurization during idle mode rather than continuous pressurization. The system pressurizes containers with inert gas to remove dissolved gases, then allows depressurization, creating a cyclical process that achieves degassing while minimizing energy consumption compared to continuous pressurization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 improves the signal-to-noise ratio and accuracy of pH measurements, reducing errors and maintaining stability over extended periods, especially at near-neutral pH ranges.

Implementation Method 1

a degasser to separate dissolved gases from the nucleotide solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase separation: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

sensors sensitive to a byproduct of nucleotide incorporation... sensor systems measuring ionic concentration or pH

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectpH sensing:

Implementation Method 3

cycling the at least two containers through at least two cycles. Each cycle includes depressurizing the at least two containers for a first period and pressurizing the at least two containers for a second period

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure cycling: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS9045795B2Methods to control dissolved gas

Publication Date: 2015.06.02 LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORP

AI summary

A method of sensing nucleotide reactions includes flowing at least one nucleotide solution from a container of at least two containers of a sensor system. The sensor system includes a sensor sensitive to a byproduct of nucleotide incorporation. Each container of the at least two containers includes a different nucleotide solution. The sensor system enters an idle mode after flowing. The method further includes cycling the at least two containers through at least two cycles. Each cycle includes depressurizing the at least two containers for a first period and pressurizing the at least two containers for a second period. The method also includes pressurizing the at least two containers when the sensor system enters an active mode.