Open Substrate Analyte Detection with Immersion Optics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Biological sample processing systems face inefficiencies and resource wastage due to time-intensive and wasteful methods, particularly in nucleic acid sequencing and analysis, where existing systems often compromise between minimizing reagent usage and reducing flow time, leading to contamination and suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
The use of open substrates with immobilized analytes and an immersion optics system, combined with spatial indexing and controlled environments, allows for efficient scanning and processing through rotational motion and precise reagent delivery, reducing contamination and increasing processing speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional biological sample processing systems are used, then nucleic acid sequencing and analysis can be performed, but the process is time-intensive and wasteful of valuable resources such as reagents
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the substrate into multiple individually addressable locations, allowing parallel processing of multiple samples simultaneously. Each location can be independently manipulated and analyzed, enabling high-throughput processing without increasing per-sample time
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous processing through automated fluidics that continuously deliver reagents and remove waste across all sample locations. The parallel architecture allows uninterrupted processing of multiple samples without sequential delays
2Reliability
If conventional biological sample processing systems are used, then nucleic acid sequencing can be performed, but it leads to contamination and suboptimal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is segmented into multiple isolated locations, physically separating samples to prevent cross-contamination. Each location acts as an independent reaction chamber, eliminating the risk of sample-to-sample contamination while maintaining high detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs controlled fluidic environments and sealed architectures that create isolated, contamination-free zones for each sample. The automated fluid delivery system maintains sterile conditions throughout the processing pathway
3Quantity of substance
If conventional biological sample processing systems are used, then analysis can be performed, but it is wasteful of valuable resources such as reagents
Solution Approach 1:
Reagents are delivered locally to each individual sample location rather than flooding the entire substrate. This localized delivery minimizes reagent consumption while ensuring each sample receives adequate amounts for complete processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system processes multiple samples in parallel on a single substrate, distributing reagents across many locations simultaneously. This approach reduces total reagent usage compared to processing samples sequentially in separate containers
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are systems and methods for analyte detection and analysis. A system can comprise an open substrate. The open substrate may be configured to rotate or otherwise move. The open substrate can comprise an array of individually addressable locations, with analytes immobilized thereto. The substrate may be spatially indexed to identify nucleic acid molecules from one or more sources, and/or sequences thereof, with the respective one or more sources. A solution comprising a plurality of probes may be directed across the array to couple at least one of the plurality of probes with at least one of the analytes to form a bound probe. A detector can be configured to detect a signal from the bound probe via scanning of the substrate while minimizing temperature fluctuations of the substrate or optical aberrations caused by bubbles.