Luminescent Barcode Integration in Polyimide Flow Cell Spacers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laboratories face challenges with costly and unreliable identifiers for tracking samples, such as barcodes and RFID, which can detach or obstruct sample detection, leading to incorrect results and operational disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A luminescent barcode system is integrated into polyimide spacers within flow cells, using existing lasers in nucleic acid sequencers to write and read codes, ensuring robust and discreet tracking without mechanical etching, allowing for miniaturization and efficient use of low-power lasers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If barcodes or RFID identifiers are used to track samples, then sample tracking capability is improved, but cost increases and reliability deteriorates due to detachment or obstruction issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking reliabilityVSAvoididentifier detachment and obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the tracking identifier directly with the sample vessel by integrating a barcode into the well plate structure itself, rather than using separate extrinsic identifiers. This combination eliminates the problems of detachment and obstruction while maintaining tracking functionality, as the identifier becomes an intrinsic part of the vessel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical affixing methods (stickers, tags) with optical encoding directly in the material structure. The barcode is optically encoded into the well plate substrate, eliminating mechanical attachment mechanisms that cause detachment and obstruction problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If extrinsic identifiers are affixed to samples, then tracking capability is improved, but operational disruption increases due to handling difficulties and detection interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling convenienceVSAvoidoperational disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the identifier with the sample vessel structure, the patent eliminates separate handling steps for attaching and detaching identifiers. The identifier moves with the vessel naturally during handling, eliminating operational disruptions while maintaining tracking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If high-power lasers are used to write codes mechanically, then code writing capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecode writing capabilityVSAvoidmechanical etching system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical etching systems with direct optical writing using low-power lasers. The code is written by optically modifying the material properties of the well plate substrate without mechanical contact, simplifying the system while maintaining code writing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the writing mechanism from mechanical high-power laser etching to optical low-power laser modification. By changing the physical parameter (power level) and mechanism (optical vs mechanical), the system achieves code writing with simpler, lower-cost equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If codes are made visible for detection, then detection capability is improved, but sample contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecode detection easeVSAvoidsample contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making only the specific region containing the barcode visible or detectable, while keeping the rest of the sample area unaffected. The optical modification is localized to the well plate structure rather than the sample itself, enabling detection without contamination risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution provides a cost-effective, reliable, and miniaturized tracking system that prevents sample contamination and ensures accurate sequencing by using existing equipment, enhancing workflow management and quality control in laboratories.

Implementation Method 1

irradiating the item to create a spatial pattern of optical modifications in the polymer material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser irradiation: Laser

Implementation Method 2

spatial pattern of luminescent features that form a code

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3268902B1Reading and writing codes using optical devices

Publication Date: 2020.10.14 ILLUMINA INC

Figure 1

AI summary

A method for tracking an item that includes the steps of (a) providing an item having a solid polymer material; (b) irradiating the item to create a spatial pattern of optical modifications in the polymer material, wherein the spatial pattern of optical modifications includes a code that indicates information; and (c) detecting the pattern of optical modifications, thereby determining the information.