Flow Cell Gasket Assembly for Low-Force Multi-Channel Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sequencing platforms face challenges in establishing a reliable fluidic connection between flow cells and associated systems, particularly when multiple channels are involved, leading to alignment issues, increased manufacturing tolerances, and higher sealing forces, which can affect the integrity and performance of the fluidic connection.
Innovation Solution
The use of adhesive-backed gaskets with a separating layer, such as acrylic and silicone adhesives with a polyethylene terephthalate layer, coupled to flow cells to reduce sealing forces and alignment complexities, allowing for precise fluidic communication through aligned through holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sealing methods are used to establish fluidic connection, then sealing reliability can be maintained, but sealing forces increase by approximately 30% causing flow cell warpage
Solution Approach 1:
A gasket assembly with adhesive stack serves as an intermediary between the flow cell and the system interface. The adhesive stack includes multiple layers (first adhesive, separating layer, second adhesive) that distribute sealing forces across a larger area, reducing peak stresses on the flow cell while maintaining reliable fluidic connection. This mediator approach allows the flow cell to be sealed without experiencing excessive concentrated forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket assembly uses composite material structure with multiple adhesive layers and a separating layer. This composite construction combines materials with different properties to achieve both strong adhesion to the flow cell and controlled mechanical compliance, thereby maintaining sealing reliability while reducing the overall sealing force requirement compared to single-material sealing methods.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple channels are involved in sequencing platforms, then functionality increases, but alignment issues and manufacturing tolerances worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket assembly is segmented into multiple identical units, each corresponding to a specific channel opening. Each gasket assembly includes its own adhesive stack and gasket components that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation allows each channel to be aligned and sealed independently, reducing the cumulative alignment complexity that would arise from attempting to align all channels simultaneously as a single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive stack is pre-assembled and pre-positioned on the gasket before attachment to the flow cell. This preliminary assembly ensures that the adhesive layers are correctly aligned with the channel openings before the actual bonding process, reducing alignment errors during final assembly and simplifying the manufacturing process for multi-channel devices.
3Force
If gasket assemblies with adhesive stacks are used, then sealing forces are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements (gasket material, adhesive layers, separating layer) are merged into a single integrated gasket assembly unit. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components that need to be handled and assembled, thereby reducing operational complexity despite the multi-layer construction. The adhesive stack is bonded as a complete unit to the gasket, creating a pre-assembled module that simplifies the overall assembly process.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional assembly methods are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but automated assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive stack is designed to be self-aligning and self-bonding when the gasket assembly is placed onto the flow cell. The adhesive layers automatically conform to the surface and create bonds without requiring complex alignment mechanisms or manual adjustment during assembly. This self-service characteristic makes the assembly process inherently suitable for automation, as the system performs the alignment and bonding functions without external intervention.
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 reduces sealing forces by approximately 30% compared to traditional methods, minimizing flow cell warpage and improving optical and thermal interfaces while enabling automated assembly and reducing manufacturing tolerances and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The adhesive stack includes a first adhesive, a separating layer, and a second adhesive. The separating layer has a first side at least partially covered by the first adhesive and a second side. The second adhesive at least partially covers the second side of the separating layer. The gasket is bonded to the second adhesive.
Data Source
AI summary
Gasket assemblies and related system and methods. An apparatus includes a system, a flow cell, and a plurality of gasket assemblies. The system includes a flow cell interface and the flow cell has one or more channels. Each channel has a first channel opening and a second channel opening. The first channel openings are positioned at a first end of the flow cell and the second channel openings are positioned at a second end of the flow cell. A gasket assembly coupled at each second channel opening. Each gasket assembly includes an adhesive stack and a gasket. The adhesive stack includes a first side bonded to the gasket and a second side bonded to the flow cell. The flow cell interface is engagable with the corresponding gaskets to establish a fluidic coupling between system and the flow cell.