Gas-Driven Liquid Flow Measurement for Precise Flow Cell Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for sequencing polynucleotides using syringe pumps face limitations such as restricted flow rates, outgassing, cavitation, and increased complexity and cost due to the integration of syringe pumps with flow cells, which hinder accurate and precise liquid delivery to flow cells.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a pressurized gas to displace liquids from reservoirs, measured by a gas flow rate sensor, which calculates the volume of displaced liquid, eliminating the need for syringe pumps and reducing outgassing and cavitation, while allowing for precise control and delivery of reagents to flow cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If syringe pumps are integrated with flow cells to deliver liquids, then liquid delivery control is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the syringe pump from the cartridge assembly and places it in the instrument body, separating the liquid storage function (in cartridge) from the liquid delivery control function (in instrument). This extraction simplifies the cartridge design while maintaining precise delivery control through the instrument's pump system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a liquid bridge as an intermediary component that connects the flow cell to the pump inlet. This liquid bridge serves as a mediator that enables the pump to access liquid from the cartridge without requiring direct integration of the syringe pump with the flow cell, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining control.
2Productivity
If syringe pumps are used to pull liquids through flow cells, then liquid flow is achieved, but outgassing and cavitation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional liquid delivery approach by switching from negative pressure (pulling) to positive pressure (pushing). Instead of using a syringe pump to pull liquid through the flow cell, the system pushes liquid through the flow cell using pressure control, which eliminates cavitation and outgassing issues associated with negative pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pneumatic pressure control to deliver liquid through the flow cell. By using controlled positive pressure to push liquid through the system rather than negative pressure to pull it, the method eliminates the harmful effects of cavitation and outgassing while maintaining efficient liquid flow.
3Ease of operation
If syringe pumps are integrated with flow cells, then liquid delivery is achieved, but flow rate is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liquid delivery system into distinct functional components: the cartridge contains liquid storage and basic delivery, while the instrument body houses the pump system responsible for flow rate control. This segmentation allows the pump to operate independently at optimal flow rates without being constrained by the cartridge design.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid bridge acts as an intermediary that decouples the flow rate control function from the cartridge assembly. By positioning the pump inlet in the liquid bridge rather than directly in the flow cell, the system enables higher flow rates without restricting the cartridge design, allowing the pump to deliver liquid at unrestricted speeds.
4Measurement precision
If gas flow rate sensors are used to measure pressurized gas flow, then liquid volume measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical liquid volume measurement with an indirect gas flow measurement approach. By measuring the volume of pressurized gas that displaces the liquid and using this measurement to calculate liquid volume, the system achieves high measurement precision without requiring complex liquid flow sensors or direct liquid measurement mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressurized gas acts as an intermediary medium that transfers the measurement function from the liquid phase to the gas phase. The gas flow rate sensor measures gas displacement, which indirectly but precisely indicates liquid volume delivered, avoiding the need for complex direct liquid measurement systems while maintaining high measurement accuracy.
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 enables more accurate and precise measurement and control of liquid volumes delivered to flow cells, reducing the complexity and cost of the system, and improving the efficiency and compatibility with imaging processes.
Implementation Method 1
A cartridge is provided that includes a gas manifold to receive a flow of pressurized gas... The cartridge may include a channel to receive liquids dispensed from the plurality of reservoirs responsive to flow of the pressurized gas from the gas manifold into respective reservoirs
Implementation Method 2
The instrument may include a gas flow rate sensor to measure a rate of flow of a pressurized gas to a reservoir storing a liquid... The instrument may include a controller coupled to the gas flow rate sensor to calculate a volume of the liquid that the flow of pressurized gas displaces from the reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, an instrument for measuring a volume of a liquid is provided. A gas flow rate sensor may measure a rate of flow of a pressurized gas to a reservoir storing a liquid. A controller may be coupled to the gas flow rate sensor and may calculate a volume of the liquid that the flow of pressurized gas displaces from the reservoir. In some examples, a method of measuring a volume of a liquid is provided. Using a gas flow rate sensor, a flow of pressurized gas may be measured. The flow of the pressurized gas may be delivered to a reservoir storing a liquid. A volume of the liquid in the reservoir may be displaced using the flow of pressurized gas. The measurement of the flow of the pressurized gas may be used to calculate the volume of the liquid that is displaced.