Hybridization Seal Structure for Microarray Evaporation Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Microarrays experience significant evaporation of fluid samples during the hybridization process, leading to potential drying and reduced assay performance.

Innovation Solution

The use of hybridization seals with an evaporation barrier and a layer forming a grid pattern that includes barrier sections with slits or flaps, allowing dynamic adjustment based on fluid volume to minimize evaporation and maintain sample integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fluid is dispensed into sample chambers during hybridization, then hybridization process can proceed, but evaporation occurs leading to sample drying and reduced assay performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassay performanceVSAvoidfluid evaporation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier section is formed as a flexible membrane that can dynamically adjust its position. The membrane flexes upward when fluid volume increases and flexes downward when fluid volume decreases, maintaining optimal coverage over probes while allowing fluid access during hybridization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier section transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one that responds to fluid volume changes. The membrane's flexibility allows it to adapt its position based on the amount of fluid in the sample chamber, optimizing both evaporation prevention and hybridization conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If barrier sections are used to prevent evaporation, then sample coverage is maintained, but fluid access to probes may be restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample coverageVSAvoidfluid access

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier section is formed as a flexible membrane that can dynamically adjust its position. The membrane flexes upward when fluid volume increases and flexes downward when fluid volume decreases, maintaining optimal coverage over probes while allowing fluid access during hybridization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier section automatically adjusts its position based on fluid volume without requiring external control mechanisms. The membrane responds passively to pressure changes from fluid volume, self-regulating its coverage to balance evaporation prevention and fluid access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of substance

If rigid barrier sections are used, then evaporation is effectively blocked, but adaptation to varying fluid volumes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaporation blockageVSAvoidfluid volume adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier section is formed as a flexible membrane that can dynamically adjust its position. The membrane flexes upward when fluid volume increases and flexes downward when fluid volume decreases, maintaining optimal coverage over probes while allowing fluid access during hybridization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier section's physical state changes from rigid to flexible, allowing it to adapt to varying fluid volumes. This parameter change enables the barrier to maintain effective evaporation blocking while responding to fluid volume changes through membrane flexing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The hybridization seals effectively reduce evaporation, ensuring consistent sample coverage over probes and maintaining assay performance by dynamically adjusting to fluid levels.

Implementation Method 1

The hybridization seal includes an evaporation barrier and a layer including walls that form a grid pattern and define a plurality of sample chambers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation barrier: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS20260061387A1Microarrays, hybridization seals, and related methods

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 ILLUMINA INC

AI summary

Microarrays, hybridization seals and related methods. An apparatus includes a substrate including a plurality of probes and a hybridization seal. The hybridization seal includes an evaporation barrier and a layer including walls that form a grid pattern and define a plurality of sample chambers that are to receive fluid. The layer includes a first side removably coupled to the substrate and a second side that is coupled to the evaporation barrier. The evaporation barrier includes barrier sections that cover the probes and include one or more slits that allow the barrier sections to have a convex profile or a concave profile depending on an amount of the fluid within the corresponding sample chamber