Flow Cell Fluid Recycling Pathway for Reagent Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nucleic acid sequencing systems are resource intensive, requiring significant reagents and time, with room for improvement in efficiency despite the development of massively parallel systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of an improved flow cell system that includes a substrate and cover with a fluid gap, actuatable between states to direct fluids along different pathways, such as a waste pathway or recycling pathway, allowing for efficient recycling and minimization of reagent consumption by directing a majority of the reagent fluid through the recycling pathway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional sequencing systems are used, then sequencing can be performed, but reagent consumption is high and resource efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a fluid recycling pathway that captures and recycles reagent fluid after it has flowed through the flow cell. The recycling pathway includes collection reservoirs and pumping mechanisms that recover reagent fluid, filter out debris and cellular material, and return the purified reagent to the system for reuse, thereby reducing reagent consumption while maintaining sequencing productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid pathway is segmented into distinct channels: a waste pathway for discarded fluids and a recycling pathway for reagent recovery. This segmentation allows selective routing of different fluid types (wash fluids to waste, reagent fluids to recycling) based on their composition and recyclability, optimizing resource efficiency
2Ease of operation
If wash fluid is directed through the recycling pathway, then fluid flow is simplified, but recycling purity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different routing rules to different fluid types based on their local characteristics. Reagent fluids, which contain valuable chemicals, are directed to the recycling pathway for recovery. Wash fluids, which are used for cleaning and contain less valuable components, are directed to the waste pathway. This local quality differentiation maintains recycling purity while managing overall fluid flow efficiently
3Loss of substance
If reagent fluid is fully recycled, then reagent consumption is minimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces intermediary components between the flow cell and the recycling pathway, including collection reservoirs, filtering mechanisms, and pumping systems. These intermediaries enable automated separation and purification of reagent fluid from waste components, reducing reagent consumption while managing system complexity through modular, standardized components
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 reagent consumption and enhances the efficiency of nucleic acid sequencing processes by optimizing fluid flow and recycling within the flow cell system, enabling more efficient use of resources and faster sequencing cycles.
Implementation Method 1
the system is configured to direct fluid after flowing through the fluid gap along a first pathway
Implementation Method 2
the waste and recycling conduits may connect to the common collector at capillary openings such that when the system is in the first state fluid will not flow into the capillary opening associated with the recycling conduit
Implementation Method 3
when the system is in the first state the system may be configured to apply a negative pressure to the waste conduit sufficient to overcome a capillary resistance to flow into the waste conduit
Data Source
AI summary
The application discloses a flow cell system which includes a flow cell. The flow cell includes a substrate that is configured to support an analyte array, a cover, and an adhesive arrangement spacing the cover from the substrate to define a fluid gap between the substrate and cover. The flow cell also includes an inlet in fluid communication with the fluid gap and an outer perimeter. In one example implementation, fluid enters the flow cell at the inlet, flows through the fluid gap, and exits the flow cell at the outer perimeter between the substrate and the cover, with adhesive gaps in the adhesive arrangement at the outer perimeter of the flow cell allowing fluid to exit from the fluid gap.