Nanopore FET Sequencing Layout for Stable Electrolyte Current

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Solution Overview

Problem

Nanopore sequencing technologies face limitations in scalability and electrolyte lifetime due to the partial consumption and depletion of electrolyte redox reagents, leading to current drift and inaccurate nucleotide base identification.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a field effect transistor (FET) with a fluidic system, including a first cavity and a second cavity connected through a through via, featuring a first nanoscale opening with variable electrical resistance and a second nanoscale opening with fixed electrical resistance, allowing for larger trans wells that minimize electrolyte consumption and extend device lifetime.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nanopore sequencing uses traditional electrode configurations, then sequencing function is achieved, but electrolyte consumption occurs leading to current drift and limited device lifetime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurrent stabilityVSAvoidelectrolyte consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device segments the electrolyte system into two distinct wells (first well and second well) separated by a nanopore membrane. This segmentation allows independent electrolyte volumes in each well, preventing the depletion and mixing issues that occur in traditional single-chamber configurations. The cis well and trans well can be optimized independently for their respective functions of electrolyte supply and collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nanopore membrane acts as an intermediary between the two electrolyte wells, allowing selective ion transport while maintaining physical separation. This intermediary structure enables the system to achieve ionic conductivity necessary for sequencing while preventing direct contact and mixing between the electrolyte volumes, thereby reducing consumption and extending device lifetime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If nanopore sequencing is scaled up to increase throughput, then productivity improves, but electrolyte depletion accelerates causing current drift

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesequencing throughputVSAvoidelectrolyte depletion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the electrolyte system into separate cis and trans wells, the invention enables scaling to multiple nanopores without proportionally increasing electrolyte consumption. Each well can serve multiple nanopores, allowing parallel processing and increased throughput while maintaining stable electrolyte volumes and reducing per-unit consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Duration of action of stationary object

If larger trans wells are used to minimize electrolyte consumption, then device lifetime extends, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice lifetimeVSAvoidwell structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of electrolyte supply, reaction chamber, and collection into an integrated two-well structure. By combining these functions into a streamlined cis-well/nanopore/trans-well configuration, the design achieves extended device lifetime through larger electrolyte volumes without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables scalable nanopore sensor arrays with extended electrolyte and device lifetime, reducing electrolyte consumption and mitigating current drift, thereby improving the accuracy of nucleotide base identification.

Implementation Method 1

a first nanoscale opening fluidically connecting the cis well and the first cavity, the first nanoscale opening having an inner diameter; and a second nanoscale opening fluidically connecting the through via and the second cavity, the second nanoscale opening having an inner diameter, wherein the second nanoscale opening inner diameter is larger than the first nanoscale opening inner diameter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

a field effect transistor (FET) positioned between the cis well and the trans well, the field effect transistor (FET) including: a fluidic system defined therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectField Effect Transistor:

Data Source

PatentUS11774400B2Device for sequencing

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 ILLUMINA INC

AI summary

Example devices include a cis well associated with a cis electrode, a trans well associated with a trans electrode, and a field effect transistor (FET) positioned between the cis well and the trans well. Examples of the field effect transistor (FET) include a fluidic system defined therein. The fluidic system includes a first cavity facing the cis well, a second cavity fluidically connected to the trans well, and a through via extending through the field effect transistor from the first cavity. A first nanoscale opening fluidically connects the cis well and the first cavity, the first nanoscale opening having an inner diameter. A second nanoscale opening fluidically connects the through via and the second cavity, the second nanoscale opening having an inner diameter. The second nanoscale opening inner diameter is larger than the first nanoscale opening inner diameter.