Flow Cell Carrier Fluid Switching for Parallel Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Establishing a reliable and efficient fluid connection and disconnection mechanism for reagents in a flow cell is a technical challenge in high-throughput gene sequencing processes.
Innovation Solution
A carrier apparatus with a fluid connecting assembly and movement mechanism that allows for controlled fluid communication between the flow cell and manifold, enabling seamless connection and disconnection through a cam mechanism, rack-and-pinion mechanism, or crank-slider mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fluid connection mechanism is established for reagent flow in the flow cell, then sequencing operation is enabled, but the device structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid connecting assembly is designed to be movable relative to the flow cell assembly through a movement mechanism, enabling dynamic switching between connected and disconnected states. This allows the system to achieve fluid connection control without requiring a permanently complex interconnected structure, as connections are established only when needed through controlled movement.
2Productivity
If multiple flow cells are processed simultaneously, then sequencing efficiency increases, but fluid control precision becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The system processes multiple flow cells simultaneously by dividing the fluid connection control into separate, independent segments. Each flow cell can be independently connected or disconnected from the fluid connecting assembly, allowing parallel processing while maintaining precise fluid control for each individual cell without interference from others.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application discloses a carrier apparatus and a sequencing system. The carrier apparatus according to the embodiments of the present disclosure includes a carrier platform, a fluid connecting assembly, and a movement mechanism. The carrier platform includes a table surface, the table surface being detachably connected to a flow cell assembly; the flow cell assembly includes a flow cell, with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet being respectively formed at both ends of the flow cell. The fluid connecting assembly includes a manifold arranged in correspondence with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The movement mechanism drives the fluid connecting assembly to move, including: when the fluid connecting assembly is located at a first position, the fluid connecting assembly and the flow cell assembly form a fluid communication through the manifold with the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; and when the fluid connecting assembly is located at a second position, communication between the fluid connecting assembly and the flow cell assembly is cut off. In the carrier apparatus according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the fluid connecting assembly is driven by the movement mechanism to move relative to the flow cell assembly, such that the communication between the fluid connecting assembly and the flow cell assembly can be achieved or cut off. The carrier apparatus is simple in structure and convenient to operate.