Multi-Flow Cell Screening Assembly for Comparable Binding Kinetics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-throughput screening systems for molecular interactions face limitations such as high false positives, inadequate time resolution for fast off-rates, high manufacturing costs, and difficulties in comparing results due to varying sensor surfaces, necessitating manual intervention and excessive buffer consumption.
Innovation Solution
An assembly and method utilizing a single pumping means, selector valves, and switching valves to facilitate the sequential flow of sample fluids through multiple flow cells, enabling time-resolved binding measurements and minimizing the need for multiple pumps, while allowing for efficient waste management and reduced buffer consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple syringe pumps are used per needle to achieve parallel sample delivery, then sample throughput is increased, but manufacturing costs increase, device size increases, and buffer consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sample delivery functions into a single syringe pump system. A single syringe pump delivers samples to multiple needles through a shared fluidic pathway controlled by switching valves, eliminating the need for one pump per needle and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining parallel sample delivery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The single syringe pump is designed to serve multiple needles simultaneously through a multi-position switching valve system. The pump performs the universal function of sample delivery for all needles, while the switching valve routes the sample flow to different needles as needed, creating a multi-functional sample delivery system
2Productivity
If parallel injection systems are used to increase throughput, then more samples can be screened simultaneously, but results become difficult to compare due to different sensor surface characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the sensor surface into multiple identical flow cells, each with the same sensor surface characteristics. By maintaining consistent sensor surfaces across all flow cells and using a single pump to deliver samples through each cell in sequence, the system enables parallel screening while ensuring data comparability across all measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter from simultaneous parallel injection to sequential injection through a single pump. This temporal separation allows each sample to be measured under identical sensor surface conditions, eliminating variability introduced by different sensor surfaces while maintaining high throughput through rapid sequential processing
3Reliability
If sensor surfaces are monitored for irreversible binding, then sensor failure can be detected, but manual intervention is required to exchange chips
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically detecting sensor surface degradation through monitoring of binding signals. When irreversible binding is detected indicating sensor failure, the system can automatically trigger alerts or even initiate replacement procedures without requiring manual inspection, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing operational burden
Data Source
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AI summary
According to the present invention there is provided an assembly comprising, a needle unit (2) comprising n hollow needles (2a-h), wherein n is greater than one, and wherein each hollow needle (2a-h) can receive a respective sample fluid; a flow cell unit (3) comprising m flow cells (3a-d), 5 wherein m is greater than one, each flow cell (3a-d) having an input (3a'-d') and an output (3a''-d''), and a test surface on which ligands can be provided located between the input (3a'-d'), and output (3a''-d''); a means for consecutively moving sample fluids, from each of said n hollow needles respectively, into all said m flow cells, so that said sample fluids flow 10 consecutively through the same flow cells. There is further provided a corresponding method of screening a sample fluid for molecules which can bind to predefined ligands.