Flow Cell Fluidic Coupler Assembly for Automated Reagent Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nucleic acid sequencing technologies face limitations due to high costs, long run times, and extensive preparation times, which restrict their widespread application in biological and medical research.
Innovation Solution
A fluidic coupler and mechanical assembly are integrated with a sensor device to enhance fluidic access to a flow cell, enabling efficient communication between reagents and the sequencing system through a series of ports and a spring mechanism, facilitating automated and streamlined nucleic acid sequencing processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual handling and processing of sequencing reagents is used, then preparation time and run time are reduced, but labor costs increase and accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic system is divided into modular components including a flow cell with multiple wells, a reagent reservoir, and a manifold with multiple ports. Each component performs a specific function and can be independently manufactured and assembled, reducing overall system complexity while enabling automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow cell is designed with multiple wells that can simultaneously accommodate multiple samples, and the manifold provides multiple ports for different reagent deliveries. This multi-functional design allows a single device to handle multiple sequencing reactions concurrently, improving automation efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Productivity
If rapid reagent delivery is implemented, then sequencing run time is reduced, but precision of reagent placement may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold acts as an intermediary component between the reagent reservoir and the flow cell wells. It provides a controlled distribution network with multiple ports that can deliver reagents to specific wells through defined fluidic pathways, ensuring both speed and precision in reagent placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical pipetting with an automated fluidic delivery system using pressure-controlled reagent delivery. This substitution enables rapid and precise reagent transport through the fluidic pathways without manual intervention, achieving both high speed and high precision.
3Reliability
If multiple reagents are delivered through separate procedures, then reagent compatibility is ensured, but preparation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple reagent delivery operations are merged into a single integrated fluidic system. The manifold with its multiple ports allows simultaneous or sequential delivery of different reagents to different wells through a unified pressure-controlled system, maintaining reagent compatibility while reducing total preparation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluidic system enables continuous reagent delivery operations without interruption. Once the system is pressurized, reagents can be delivered continuously through the fluidic pathways to multiple wells in sequence or parallel, eliminating the need for repeated setup and teardown of separate delivery procedures.
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 integration reduces sequencing costs and time by improving fluidic communication, allowing for more efficient reagent delivery and waste management, thereby enhancing the automation and speed of nucleic acid sequencing.
Implementation Method 1
a spring mechanism that applies a desired force against the fluidic coupler and sensor device to enhance the fluidic connection between the fluidic coupler and the sensor device
Data Source
AI summary
A fluidic coupler to engage a plurality of flow cells of a sensor device includes a body and a plurality of fluidics interfaces formed in the body. Each fluidic interface of the plurality of fluidics interfaces includes an opening, a first port in fluid communication with the opening, a second port, and a third port in fluidic communication with the second port.