Nucleic Acid Sequencing With Concurrent Imaging and Chemistry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing genetic sequencing techniques are highly time-intensive and costly, limiting the speed and reliability of genomic information acquisition.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for nucleic acid sequencing that includes automated nucleic acid sequencing operations, quality evaluation, and adaptive control of sequencing procedures based on detected parameters, using systems with fluidics handling, imaging, and quality evaluation circuitry to optimize sequencing processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated sequencing operations with quality evaluation are implemented, then sequencing throughput and efficiency are improved, but system complexity and initial cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesequencing throughputVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sequencing system is divided into distinct functional modules including fluidics handling system, imaging system, quality evaluation circuitry, and control system. Each module operates independently but coordinates through standardized interfaces, allowing for specialized optimization of each component while maintaining overall system integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Quality evaluation is performed continuously during the sequencing process rather than after completion. The system monitors parameters such as signal intensity, background noise, and cluster morphology in real-time, enabling early detection of quality issues and adaptive adjustment of sequencing parameters to maintain optimal performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If continuous monitoring and adaptive control are implemented, then sequencing quality and reliability are improved, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesequencing qualityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where quality evaluation circuitry monitors sequencing reactions in real-time and feeds this information back to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system adaptively adjusts sequencing parameters such as nucleotide addition timing, imaging exposure settings, and fluidics flow rates to maintain optimal quality without requiring resequencing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The sequencing process uses periodic cyclic operations with standardized phases for nucleotide addition, washing, and imaging. Quality evaluation is performed at specific checkpoints within each cycle, allowing for systematic monitoring without requiring continuous intervention, thus balancing quality control with processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12435371B2Nucleic acid sequencing system

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 ILLUMINA INC

AI summary

A system for sequencing nucleic acid comprising a plurality of stations and a system control. The system control configured to direct the first substrate to progress and retrogress between the first processing station and the imaging station, direct the second substrate to progress and retrogress between the second processing station and the imaging station, and direct a chemistry cycle of a first sequencing procedure to occur within one of the first processing station or the second processing station while an imaging cycle of a second sequencing procedure occurs within the imaging station.