Flow Cell Depressions for Stronger Adhesive Bond Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flow cells used in nucleic acid analysis face challenges with fluid leakage and inadequate bond integrity due to insufficient bonding surface area and compressive/shear holding power, which can compromise the integrity of reactions and detection processes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of patterned substrates with active and bonding regions, featuring depressions or posts that increase the bonding surface area, enhancing adhesive contact and improving bond integrity, thereby preventing fluid leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flat bonding region is used, then the device structure is simple, but the bonding surface area is insufficient leading to poor bond integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding region is transformed from a flat two-dimensional surface to a three-dimensional patterned structure with depressions and/or posts. This dimensional change increases the bonding surface area by creating additional surfaces within the adhesive layer, allowing the adhesive to bond to both the top and bottom surfaces of the features, thereby improving bond integrity without significantly increasing the footprint of the flow cell.
2Strength
If the bonding surface area is increased, then the compressive and shear holding power is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding region is segmented into multiple discrete features (depressions and/or posts) rather than being a continuous flat surface. This segmentation allows the adhesive to form multiple separate bonding interfaces, collectively increasing the compressive and shear holding power. The segmented structure can be manufactured using standard photolithography and etching processes, making the increased strength achievable without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If patterned features are added to the bonding region, then the adhesive bonding area is increased, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patterned features (depressions and/or posts) are localized specifically to the bonding region of the substrate, while the active region maintains its original flat structure. This local application of complexity ensures that the bonding surface area is increased only where needed for adhesion, without complicating the overall device structure or interfering with the functional active region where nucleic acid reactions occur.
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
The patterned substrates enhance bond integrity and prevent fluid leakage, ensuring reliable operation and effective detection of reactions in flow cells.
Implementation Method 1
The bonding region of the patterned substrate may be bonded to a lid, a second patterned substrate, or a second partially patterned substrate... These features introduce an additional axis for an adhesive to bond to, and also increase the surface area of the substrate that is available for bonding.
Data Source
AI summary
An example flow cell includes a patterned substrate having an active region and a bonding region that at least partially surrounds the active region. The active region includes first depressions defined in a layer of the patterned substrate, surface chemistry positioned in the first depressions, and first interstitial regions surrounding the first depressions. The bonding region includes second depressions defined in the layer and second interstitial regions surrounding the second depressions. An adhesive is positioned over the second depressions and over the second interstitial regions. A cover is attached to the adhesive such that a flow channel is defined between a portion of the cover and the active region.