Open-Well Flow Cell Adapter for Evaporation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional open well flow cells require excessive reagents due to evaporation and thermal cycling, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies in biological sample analysis, particularly when using expensive reagents.
Innovation Solution
An adapter for open well flow cells that converts them into closed flow cells, reducing reagent volume and preventing evaporation through gas permeable layers and feet that form a sealed chamber, allowing for thermal and volume control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional open well flow cells are used, then imaging optics can be immersed in immersion fluid and optical clarity is maintained, but excessive reagent volume is required leading to increased cost and evaporation losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin film membrane (such as a gas permeable membrane) to seal the open well flow cell, converting it into a closed system. This thin film barrier prevents reagent evaporation while maintaining optical clarity for imaging, directly resolving the contradiction between reducing reagent volume and preventing evaporation losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an inert or controlled atmosphere (such as oil overlay or gas-filled sealed chamber) above the reagent in the flow cell. This creates a protective environment that prevents evaporation of volatile reagents while allowing the system to maintain its optical properties for imaging applications.
2Reliability
If open well flow cells are used, then optical imaging is optimized, but thermal cycling causes evaporation and volume instability
Solution Approach 1:
The thin film membrane acts as a thermal barrier while allowing optical transmission. It seals the flow cell to prevent evaporation during thermal cycling, maintaining volume stability without compromising the optical imaging capabilities required for reliable analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical state or composition of the sealing mechanism (e.g., using phase-change materials or temperature-compensated seals) to maintain volume stability across different thermal conditions, ensuring reliable operation during thermal cycling while preserving optical properties.
3Productivity
If reagent volume is reduced, then cost and cycle time are decreased, but evaporation control becomes more critical
Solution Approach 1:
The thin film seal enables the system to operate with reduced reagent volumes by preventing evaporation losses. This allows faster cycle times with smaller volumes while maintaining adequate reagent levels throughout the assay process, directly improving productivity without sacrificing evaporation control.
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
Reduces reagent volume by up to 80%, minimizing costs and cycle time while maintaining sample hydration and optical clarity, enhancing imaging and analysis efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
gas permeable layers and feet that form a sealed chamber
Implementation Method 2
preventing evaporation through gas permeable layers and feet that form a sealed chamber
Implementation Method 3
Reduces reagent volume by up to 80%
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter for incorporation into an open well flow cell, the adapter including a body having an upper surface, a lower surface spaced from the upper surface defining a thickness profile therebetween, at least one side extending about a perimeter of the body, an inlet formed in the body extending through the thickness of the upper surface and the lower surface, at least one foot extending from the lower surface, each foot of the at least one foot extending a vertical distance away from the lower surface and a protrusion extending from the upper surface. The adaptor configured to be placed over, or onto, an open well flow cell to form an effectively closed, and reversible, flow cell. A variety of structural features are included to inhibit/prohibit gas bubbles from evaporating from the fluid reagent within the cell, and/or providing egress or venting of such bubbles.